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On March 25, 2025, Morning Star Rotary had the pleasure of welcoming Dr. Christopher Jackson, Artistic Director & Conductor of the Bach Choir of Bethlehem along with Development Director, Cheryl Dungan, to our morning meeting. Dr. Jackson presented an informative and enjoyable presentation on a musical gem of our community since its founding in 1898, the Bach Choir of Bethlehem, its history, and its current activities, including performances, educational programs, and future plans. The choir is the longest-running Bach Choir in the United States and has a strong partnership with Lehigh University. The annual Bach Festival has been held at Packard Chapel since 1908. The Bach Choir of Bethlehem, led by a passionate former public school and university educator, has grown to 130 singers and now holds auditions year-round. The choir is a diverse representation of society, with a professional orchestra and soloists, and a strong sense of community. The choir merged with the Bel Canto Youth Chorus in 2019, now comprising 80 young people from grades 3 through 12. The choir relies heavily on volunteers and has a staff of 7. The choir's mission is to serve everyone through music, from a young age to end of life care. Thank you Dr. Jackson and Ms. Dungan for your service to the arts in our community. Click Here to view Dr. Jackson's presentation.