The Bach Society of Saint Louis

Founded in 1941, The Bach Society of Saint Louis is St. Louis’ oldest continuous chorus and is comprised of approximately 60 voices. Dr. A. Dennis Sparger, Music Director and Conductor since 1986, has refined the size and professionalism of the chorus by establishing a core of paid Principal Singers and implementing a Young Artist Scholarship Program to help train, develop and encourage local young singers.  

 In recognition of Johann Sebastian Bach and his lasting influence, The Bach Society Chorus & Orchestra presents an annual concert season at different venues throughout Greater St. Louis. Repertoire is not limited to music composed by J.S. Bach, and programming ranges from small orchestral chamber concerts and acapella choral concerts to large, sacred oratorio works with over 100 local musicians.

 The Bach Society Orchestra is drawn from a select pool of local, professional union (paid) musicians, many of whom also play with the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra and the Fox Theatre Orchestra.  Professional soloists are engaged from all over the world and are in high demand as masters of their craft.

Education programs include:  

* Young Artist Scholarship Program inspires local career-oriented soloists under the age of 32; giving them professional performance experience and training.  Four singers are chosen each season and receive a $2,500 stipend.  

* Finding Your Voice provides free, private voice lessons to local high-school students who would otherwise not be able to afford it.  This provides support not only to individual students, but also to choir directors who are often expected to fill the gap and support this need.

* Bach & Jazz is an educational program that introduces students to the similarities between improvised jazz and the music of J.S. Bach.  This allows us to present the music of Bach to students in a new and fresh way.

* Finding Your Voice Video Series reaches students from grades 3-8 and highlights the voices, experiences, and inspirations behind active musicians of color.   This series was sponsored in part by the Arts & Education Council and features artists:

               - Marques Jerrell Ruff, bass-baritone soloist and performer

               - Carlos Flores Ramirez, tenor and church musician

               - Sherezade Panthaki, soprano soloist

               - Suzanne Palmer, music teacher and conductor

               - Rochelle Sennet, pianist and university professor

               - Imani Winds, instrumental ensemble

* Vocal Masterclasses - Bach Society guest solo artists serve as masterclass clinicians to give a public voice lesson to young artists in front of an audience of local high school music students. High school students are encouraged to further engage by asking questions and making their own observations about the singers. The Masterclass concludes with 2-3 high school students singing a piece of their own choosing for feedback from the visiting clinician.

* Vocal & Choral Workshops - We provide FREE vocal workshops to local high school choirs, led by a professional educator.