Organizational History

The Dallas Bach Society was formed in 1982 to promote and encourage instrumental, choral, vocal, operatic, chamber, and keyboard music composed before 1800 through live performances in Dallas and its vicinity. Since its founding, the Society, under the leadership of its founding Artistic Director, Paul Riedo (1982-1994), and its current Artistic Director, James Richman (1995-present), has been the city’s primary resource for early music performances by serious, professional musicians. Instrumentalists perform on replicas of instruments from the 17th and 18th centuries. The Choir is trained in the vocal style and performance practice of the period. National and international soloists specializing in the interpretation of Baroque join musicians to present the highest level of choral, chamber, and orchestral productions each season.

The typical season structure of the Dallas Bach Society’s consists of ten concerts. In recent seasons the Society has performed at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, Zion Lutheran Church, St. Andrew’s Methodist Church (Plano), Christ Episcopal Church (Oak Cliff), The Meyerson Symphony Center, The Majestic Theater, and Preston Hollow Presbyterian Church. Twice each year, more intimate chamber concerts are offered in private homes.

The Dallas Bach Society is a member of the Association of Professional Vocal Ensembles, The Neue Bach Gesellschaft, and a founding member of Early Music America.

Mission

The Southwest’s primary resource for Baroque music on original instruments, the Dallas Bach Society unites the finest vocalists and instrumentalists in lively and informed performances of Bach, Handel, Vivaldi, Purcell, Monteverdi, Couperin, and Scütz: the full collection of great music from the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, both familiar to music lovers, and awaiting their discovery.