The Bach Choir has announced its 150th anniversary season, celebrating its rich history and contribution to the past and present of choir performance.
Set to open on 9th October, the choir’s 2025/26 season will also honour the composers and pieces of music which they have become well-known for singing.
Running until 26th May 2026, the 150th anniversary season will include collaborations with some of the leading musical talents in UK pop and rock, which began with The Rolling Stones in 1963. The future of choral music will also be explored through a number of commissions and initiatives aiming to build the foundations for the next 150 years.
David Hill MBE, music director of The Bach Choir said: “Anniversaries are important and an opportunity to celebrate for whatever reason. In the case of The Bach Choir, it is a momentous occasion to be celebrating 150 years of making music, and principally for bringing the first performance of Bach’s B minor Mass to the UK.”
About the choir
Founded in 1876, The Bach Choir is recognised as one of the world’s leading choruses and combines musical excellence with creativity and innovation. The choir’s repertoire ranges from the first performance of Bach’s Mass in B minor in Britain 150 years ago to the soundtrack for Ridley Scott’s Gladiator II and The Martian.
Directed by David Hill, the choir regularly performs and records across London and the UK in prestigious venues, from the Royal Albert Hall to Abbey Road Studios. The choir has also toured the world, performing in the USA, China and Australia.
2025/26 season highlights: from Mahler to Bach
The season begins at St Paul’s Cathedral in London, where the choir will perform Mahler’s Symphony No 8. Conducted by musical director David Hill MBE, the performance will feature the Philharmonic Orchestra, expanded additions including mandolin and harmonium, along with London Youth Choirs and eight soloists.
On 9th November the choir will be part of the 80th birthday of choir president Sir John Rutter at St Paul’s Cathedral, where they will perform alongside the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. They will perform a new piece by Sir John Rutter, entitled I’ll make me a world.
The Royal Albert Hall will host Carmina Burana on 23rd November, where 400 vocalists from five different choirs will perform a repoitore featuring Wagner’s Prelude to Act III Lohengrin, Saint Saëns’ Organ Symphony and Orff’s Carmina Burana.
The Bach Choir and London City Brass will come together on 15th December at Cadogan Hall for an evening of Christmas carols.
The first performance of 2026 will take place on 8th March, where the choir will perform St Matthew Passion at Southbank Centre’s Royal Festival Hall. This will be followed by Into Spring: Duruflé Requiem on 19th March at Holy Trinity Sloane Square.
The 150th season will culminate in a performance of Bach’s Mass in B minor at the Royal Festival Hall on 26th May.
Groups can get discounts for shows in the 2025/26 season when booking together.
To enquire about group bookings contact groupbookings@thebachchoir.org.uk.
For more information about The Bach Choir, visit thebachchoir.org.uk.
