Bach Festivals & Cantata Series
Louisville Bach Society

Name:

Louisville Bach Society (LBS)

Location:

Louisville, Kentucky, USA

Venues:

St. Martin of Tours Catholic Church - 639 South Shelby Street
St. Boniface Catholic Church - 531 East Liberty Street
Calvary Episcopal Church - 821 South 4^th Street
Harvey Browne Presbyterian Church - 311 Browns Lane, Louisville, KY 40207
Holy Spirit Catholic Church - Lexington Road at Cannons Lane

Years:

1964-2011 (Concert Series & Bachtage)

Months:

August-April

Artistic Director:

Melvin Dickinson and Margaret Dickinson

Ensembles:

Louisville Bach Society

Website:

Louisville Bach Society

History & Mission:

The Louisville Bach Society (LBS) was founded in 1964 by Melvin Dickinson and Margaret Dickinson. The inspiration for this organization was gleaned by studying with the world-renowned Bach expert, Helmut Walcha, with whom the above studied organ for two years in the early 1960's.
The whole world of J.S. Bach cantatas was opened to them at this time, and it was determined that such music should be brought to the people of Kentucky. It was a partial payback for the generosity of the American government, which had awarded Fulbright scholarships to Melvin Dickinson and Margaret Leupold, who later became his wife and associate in founding the Bach Society.
The Bach Society specialized in performing the works of J.S. Bach, as it should do in carrying such a name. It also realized a responsibility to the community to perform other major choral-orchestral works by composers such as Johannes Brahms, L.v. Beethoven, Haydn, W.A. Mozart, Josef Rheinberger, Ralph Vaughan Williams, and many others, including those of the Renaissance and the contemporary scene.
In addition to performances in Louisville, the LBS also travelled to areas throughout Kentucky and nearby states. Most notably, the LBS performed in Lebanon, Kentucky (George Frideric Handel's Messiah and 2 J.S. Bach cantatas) to a packed church, with additional hundreds standing outside in 36-degree weather to hear the concert.
The LBS also felt a great responsibility to the younger generation, and performed at least twice each year for school children. These performances are often televised for use in the public schools. Lives of different composers, among them J.S. Bach, George Frideric Handel, W.A. Mozart, and Haydn, were presented.
Singers in the LBS came from many areas and occupations, from surgeons to bishops, to music teachers, to students, to attorneys, to social workers, to nurses, and you name it! All share a common love for J.S. Bach and for excellence in choral singing.
The organization closed in 2011, following the Dickinsons‘ retirements.

Logo: