The Bach Chorale was originally assembled by Dr. Martin Werner to perform during the inaugural Grand Rapids Bach Festival in 1997. The chorale served as the core chorus in the 1999 Bach Festival performance of the Mass in B Minor and for the St. John Passion in 2001, under the direction of guest conductor Karl Hochreither.
Dr. Martin Werner studied orchestral conducting, cello and choral conducting in his native Germany before spending a year at California State University, Fullerton as a graduate student and student conductor of the University Singers. He received a Doctor of Musical Arts in Conducting from the University of Michigan in 1985 and later served as assistant chorus master for the Concert Choir for the City of Düsseldorf, Germany. He was chorus master of the Grand Rapids Symphony Chorus from 1993 to 1999 and has also been choir director for several Grand Rapids churches. In 1997, he became music director and conductor for the Bach Chorale.
In the spring of 2009, the Bach Chorale was incorporated as The Bach Chorale of Grand Rapids. As of April 29, 2009, we have been confirmed as a non-profit 501(c) (3) organization, able to receive tax-deductible contributions.
Like many other ensembles, the Bach Chorale of Grand Rapids was forced into a long hiatus by the COVID pandemic. Our determination to restart concert activities came to fruition in October 2024 when we presented a multi-faceted concert at Central Reformed Church in Grand Rapids, our host for many years. We engaged string faculty from Western Michigan University in addition to players from the Grand Rapids Symphony. Other participants included a faculty member and some of her graduate students from Michigan State University. Bach’s Double Concerto for Oboe and Violin, and Sinfonia #9 in C by Felix Mendelssohn were the two orchestral works on the program. Three vocal soloists from MSU joined the Bach Chorale in J. S. Bach’s Cantata BWV 140, “Wachet auf”.
The concert convincingly reflected the vision that has shaped previous concerts and will serve as a model for future endeavors: a splendid mixture of choral and orchestral music, showcasing emerging and established vocal and instrumental soloists.
In the interest of variety, a concert may occasionally have a specific motto, inspired by a particular event or circumstance. It may also be built around a particular guest soloist.
For our 2026 spring concert we are excited to have the nationally and internationally acclaimed organ virtuoso, Caroline Robinson, as our featured soloist. Professor Robinson ranks with the finest organists in the world and teaches organ at the University of Michigan. The program is designed around her appearance with us. She will play Francis Poulenc’s Concerto for Organ, Strings and Timpani, joining a professional chamber orchestra, preceded by
Bach’s Fantasia and Fugue in G minor, BWV 542. This magnificent piece served as an inspiration for the Poulenc organ concerto. To further expand the experience, we will perform the “Domine Deus, Agnus Dei” from Poulenc’s Gloria, featuring a soaring soprano solo part, in a version for organ, chorus, and strings. Noah Smith, organist at Fountain Street Church, will play this music, originally set for a large symphony orchestra, on FSC’s magnificent organ. By now, you have probably detected the motto for this concert: “Bach and Poulenc”.
We are going to enjoy masterworks of two very distinct composers while also experiencing the fascinating connections between the pieces. To heighten the experience, we will present the first half of the concert as a “collage”, which means that there will be no interruptions (for applause) between the various components.
The second half of the program will begin with the “Prelude” from Bach’s Partita No. 3 in E major for violin solo, BWV This wonderful stroke of genius is well-known as a gem of virtuosic wizardry, and is like no other movement in all of Bach’s music for unaccompanied stringed instruments. You will then see that the same music reappears as a stunning obbligato part in the orchestral “Sinfonia” to Cantata 29, played by Caroline Robinson on the organ.
We believe the Bach Chorale of Grand Rapids, along with the chamber orchestra, is the premier ensemble for the performance of Bach cantatas and other exquisite choral/orchestral works in this area. Experienced choral musicians of all sections are cordially invited to join us! Our expectation is that members will study their parts privately, allowing for a limited number of rehearsals, approximately five per program. Rehearsals will flow easily and productively, with a strong sense of accomplishment each and every time. BCGR is for competent choral musicians who wish to join us in building our ensemble based on these expectations.
Interested singers should contact Martin Werner through the audition contact form, here