In the two and one half decades since its humble beginnings in 1984, the Bach and Handel Chorale has developed into a vibrant, committed, and acclaimed choral organization. It has helped to shape cultural awareness of the Jim Thorpe community as well as Carbon and surrounding counties.

The Bach and Handel Chorale has been a drawing card for visitors to Jim Thorpe, as well as a source of pride for the community. The Chorale was a major influence in forming the Laurel Festival of the Arts in Jim Thorpe, in which it performed under the baton of founder and conductor Randall Douglas Perry and was accompanied by the internationally known Concerto Soloists Chamber Orchestra.

The Chorale was originally meant to be a “once-and-done” chorus to celebrate the 300th anniversary of the births of Johann Sebastian Bach and George Frideric Handel, two musical giants of the Baroque period.   The first concert was performed on December 14, 1984 at the Mauch Chunk Opera House, with a Festival Orchestra formed through Maestro Perry’s friendships with colleagues from Wilkes College. Mr. Michael Williams, from Wilkes, was instrumental in forming the orchestra, as well as serving as First Trumpet.  The orchestra was comprised of students and faculty from the college. The Chorale performed Part I of G.F. Handel’s Messiah and J.S. Bach’s Ershallet, Ihr Lieder.  There were 19 singing members. Response from the singers as well as the community was so great that the chorus was strongly encouraged to continue.

In 1985, the Chorale performed works of Bach and Handel in a concert at Immaculate Conception Church, Jim Thorpe, accompanied by the Lehigh Valley Chamber Orchestra.  Chorale membership increased from 19 to 24.  In 1986, the Chorale again performed at Immaculate Conception Church with the Lehigh Valley Chamber Orchestra.  The performance consisted of parts from The Christmas Oratorio by Bach and the Four Coronation Anthems by Handel.  In 1987, the spring concert was held at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, Jim Thorpe, with Schubert’s Mass in G performed, accompanied by conductor Randall Perry on the piano.  In the formative years, Maestro Perry accompanied, as well as conducted, the group for many of its concerts. He would play the reduced orchestrations to the Bach cantatas, masses, and oratorios. In 1988, the Mauch Chunk Opera House was the site for the fall concert, at which time Bach’s Magnificat was performed.  In 1989, the Festival Orchestra joined the chorale in performing the Easter Oratorio by Bach.  Mr. Perry accompanied the Chorale in its first complete performance of Handel’s Messiah when the chorale celebrated its fifth anniversary. At that point, chorale membership had reached 34 members.  Today, twenty-five years later, the chorale has a salaried conductor, an accompanist, vocal soloists, and its own Festival Orchestra.

Throughout the years, the Bach and Handel Chorale, by special invitation, has sung at a number of churches. These “on-the-road” concerts consisted mainly of anthems and choruses with piano and/or organ accompaniment. The Bach and Handel Chorale also sings music by other composers, including music of the Classical, Romantic, and Contemporary periods. They have also premiered and performed many works composed by their conductor. 

A recent development in the chorale’s history has been the performance of a benefit concert each year.  On June 3, 2007, the chorale gave a benefit concert to help fund the rebuilding of Christ Lutheran Church, Jim Thorpe, after the church was destroyed by fire caused by arson.  The chorale raised more than $1,800 to help with this re-building project.  As a result of this successful effort, the chorale decided to hold a benefit concert every year.  In 2008, the proceeds from the concert were given to a local food pantry.  The proceeds from the 2009 benefit concert will go to this food pantry as well.  The 2009 benefit concert will also feature an educational component. Local high school students will be invited to research the Bach chorales being performed and selected students will present their program notes to the audience as part of the performance.

WHAT DOES THE FUTURE HOLD FOR THE BACH AND HANDEL CHORALE?

It is our hope to continue singing well into the next quarter century.  Our maestro has plans for us to sing new Bach cantatas and surely there will be more compositions of his own.  We will continue to learn new music and sing the works of the masters for as long as we are able.  To our patrons, we offer our sincere thanks for making it happen.  To our audiences, thank you so much for all your support.