About the Bach Society
Bach Society of Minnesota was founded in 1932 by musicians and educators from the University of Minnesota, a movement led by music Professor Donald Ferguson that brought together two music fraternities to prepare a Bach cantata under his direction. The organization was one of the first in North America to take the legacy of Johann Sebastian Bach as an exclusive starting point for performances and programming featuring the timeless music of the great composer and those he inspired. In 1959, nearly 30 years into its founding season, the society’s new leader Dr. David LaBerge developed programming that included works by composers other than Bach.
In 1980, Henry Charles Smith, resident conductor of the Minnesota Orchestra, became artistic director and initiated an annual collaboration between Bach Society and the Minnesota Orchestra performing Handel’s Messiah. Subsequent artistic directors include Paul Oakley, 1987; Roderick Kettlewell, 1997; Myles Hernandez, 2000; Thomas Lancaster, 2004; Paul Boehnke, 2007; and Matthias Maute, 2016. Under Maute’s direction, the Bach Society continues to communicate the depths and passions of Bach’s compositions through period instruments and historical practices, and – much like the musical experimentation that typified the Baroque era – artistic collaborations and performances that occasionally infuse renowned compositions with references to other genres and eras.
Mission Statement
The mission of the Bach Society of Minnesota is to build a diverse community of music lovers who perform, promote, and appreciate the music of J.S. Bach and those he inspired.
Core Values
Our values focus on community, collaboration, and excellence. Bach Society of Minnesota strives to create respectful, successful relationships among musicians, audiences, students, and partner organizations.
Special Thanks to our Granting Partners
Archie D & Bertha H Walker Foundation
Anna M Heilmaier Charitable Foundation
Carl & Verna Schmidt Foundation
The Boss Foundation
This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a Minnesota State Arts Board Operating Support & Arts Experience grants, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.
City of Saint Paul Cultural STAR Program
This activity is supported, in part, by the City of Saint Paul Cultural Sales Tax Revitalization Program.
Special Thanks to our Granting Partners
Katherine B. Andersen Fund of St. Paul and Minnesota Foundation
Carl & Verna Schmidt Foundation
Minnesota Public Radio
Boss Foundation
Art and Martha Kaemmer Fund of The HRK Foundation
Cultural Star Program
This activity is supported, in part, by the City of Saint Paul Cultural Sales Tax Revitalization Program.
Now Hiring
Dear Members and Supporters of the Bach Society of Minnesota,
We would like to share some important news regarding the future leadership structure of the Bach Society of Minnesota (BSM). Since Yunyue Liu joined us as Executive Director in 2017, her dedicated service has significantly strengthened our organization. Under her leadership, BSM has grown in size, reach, and impact, expanding our community of supporters and enriching our musical offerings. Her passion and commitment have helped BSM flourish, and we are immensely grateful for her contributions.
As the organization has evolved, so has the role of Executive Director, which now encompasses a broad array of responsibilities. This expanded role has become more demanding, limiting Yunyue’s ability to pursue her love of piano, something she has long cherished. To best serve both her talents and the organization’s needs, Yunyue will transition to a newly defined role as Operations Director, where she will continue to support and advance BSM's mission. This role will allow her to focus on operational excellence and organizational development, building on the strong foundation she has helped create.
To complement Yunyue’s new position, we are launching a search for a dynamic Executive Director. This role will be critical in shaping our future, working alongside the Artistic Director and the Board of Directors as part of BSM’s leadership team. The Executive Director will ensure that the vision for BSM reflects the collective insights of these three pillars: the Artistic Director, Board, and Executive Director. Additionally, the Executive Director will work closely with the Operations Director and collaborate with contractors for specialized services such as grant writing, marketing, and communications.
This restructuring marks an exciting chapter for BSM. By creating a stronger leadership team, we aim to build on our successes, engage new audiences, and reach new artistic heights. We look forward to what lies ahead and are grateful for your continued support as we take this next step.
Warm regards,
Amy Fistler, President
Bach Society of Minnesota
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