Cantatathon 2026
Sunday, March 22, 2026 @ 4:00 pm
Bach's Birthday Bash 2026
Mechanics Hall:
321 Main St, Worcester
Adult: $35
Student: $20
Youth (18 & under): $10
General Admission
In Music Worcester’s second annual Cantatathon, Worcester Bach Collective ensembles perform a selection of cantatas at Mechanics Hall.
A cantata is a vocal work for solo/chorus and orchestra, either celebrating sacred or secular traditions. These works are conversations between voice and instrument and are meant to spotlight the technicality of the performer. Over the course of THE COMPLETE BACH’s eleven years, ensembles will present each of Bach’s cantatas. At intermission, join us for cake and champagne in honor of Bach’s 341st birthday.
Program
Ach Gott, wie manches Herzeleid, BWV 3
Wär Gott nicht mit uns diese Zeit, BWV 14
Christum wir sollen loben schon, BWV 121
Nimm, was dein ist, und gehe hin, BWV 144
Meinen Jesum laß ich nicht, BWV 124
Please note: program, venue, time, and artist are subject to change.
Performers
The First Baptist Chancel Choir is a skilled sacred arts choir consisting of around 30 singers. Comprised of both parishioners and WPI Choral Scholars and organ students, they are Directed by Minister of Music and the Arts, Wesley Hall, and serve as the backbone of musical worship at First Baptist as they have done for many generations under the directorship of T. Charles Lee, Barclay Wood, and William Ness. in addition to their work during Sunday services, the Chancel Choir has participated with numerous other organizations for joint events with the choirs of All Saints and Trinity Lutheran, and for concerts with groups like the Rhode Island Civic Choral and Orchestra, and WPI Festival Chorus. The choir excels at singing a wide range of music required by our liturgical needs, and they are equally at home singing Gospel Music, Bach, Durufle, or new compositions like those of our long-running Choral Anthem Competition. Perhaps most notably, each December the Chancel Choir continues the 80+ year old tradition at First Baptist of presenting the Service of Lessons and Carols, patterned after the famous service at King’s College, Cambridge.
Salisbury Singers is a mixed chorus of more than 60 singers under the insightful leadership of Artistic Director Reagan Paras. The chorus is dedicated to the enhancement of cultural life in Worcester and central Massachusetts, as well as the musical growth of its members. Salisbury Singers achieves these objectives through professional quality performances of acapella and accompanied choral repertoire drawn from diverse traditions and styles.
Salisbury Singers, Inc. was founded in 1973 by the late Malama Robbins Collinsworth to foster the highest standards of the musical arts. From 1998-2020, Salisbury Singers was led by Dr. Michelle Graveline to continue this standard of excellence. In 2020, Michelle assumed the role of Artistic Director Emerita. Read more about Michelle here. From 2020-2024, Salisbury Singers was led by Brad Dumont. In 2024, Brad assumed the role of Artistic Director Emeritus.
Described by audience members as “silky smooth butter in musical form” and “voices like I imagine angels might sound,” Voices of Concinnity is Connecticut’s versatile professional vocal chamber ensemble illuminating the breadth of choral music through innovative programming and richness of choral sound. Concinnity consists of 12 dedicated, seasoned choral artists from diverse backgrounds with a mission to connect with the community through exquisitely crafted, innovative choral programming that fosters inclusion, promotes collaboration, illuminates variety, and ensures affordable access. A Global Music Award Gold Medal recipient and 2025 American Prize Finalist, Concinnity focuses on individual expression within a cohesive whole, harnessing each singer’s unique vocal qualities into a rich collective sound; thus embracing an honesty that enhances the listening experience and resonates with audiences.
Consonare Community Choir is a mixed voice ensemble open to all singers with no audition that collaborates with an instrumental ensemble to enhance the joy of choral singing through an accessible rehearsal model and connecting through other artistic disciplines.
The Worcester Children’s Chorus (WCC) was founded in 2008 as a program of The Master Singers of Worcester by co-directors Jennifer Kane and Malcolm Halliday. A partnership was also formed at that time between the WCC and Assumption University making WCC a choir “in residence” at the University campus where WCC enjoys rehearsal and performance spaces as well as other resources.
The Worcester Children’s Chorus has performed with many area ensembles, including: The Master Singers of Worcester, The Assabet Valley Mastersingers, The Salisbury Singers, the Thayer Symphony Orchestra, the Worcester Youth Orchestra, and the Worcester Chorus. Members of the chorus have also performed on three occasions at Carnegie Hall in NYC, participated in the International Children’s Chorus Festival at Canterbury Cathedral and London, England, as well as the Crescent City Choral Festival in New Orleans. In 2016, the WCC was featured at Fenway Park, home of the Boston Red Sox, where they performed the Star Spangled Banner before tens of thousands.
Thank you to the following sponsors:
