The Mission of The Bach Choir of Bethlehem and its Bach Festival Orchestra is to perform the works of Johann Sebastian Bach and to promote and encourage appreciation of the aesthetic and spiritual value of Bach's music, while striving for the highest standards of musical excellence. This mission is to be achieved by engaging our audience - locally, nationally, and internationally - through education and performance, including works by composers who influenced Bach and were influenced by him. 

The Bach Choir of Bethlehem is the oldest American Bach Choir, and gave the first American performance of Bach’s Mass in B Minor and the Christmas Oratorio. Since its founding in 1898, the Choir has been attracting thousands of national and international visitors every May to its annual Bethlehem Bach Festival.  Under the direction of conductor Greg Funfgeld since 1983, The Choir’s activities have expanded to a year-round season of 31 concerts and educational programs a year for an audience of more than 20,000;  recordings for the Dorian and Analekta labels, films for PBS and Classical Kids, and touring performances including the Thomaskirche in Leipzig, Germany; the BBC Proms, Royal Albert Hall, London; Carnegie Hall and Trinity Church Wall St, New York City;  and the Kennedy Center and Music Center at Strathmore in the Washington D.C. area.