Founded in 1972 as a chapter of the Neue Bachgesellschaft, the American Bach Society supports the study, performance, and appreciation of the music of Johann Sebastian Bach in the United States and Canada.
The ABS produces Bach Notes and Bach Perspectives, sponsors a biennial meeting and conference, and offers grants and prizes for research on Bach.
Information on membership is available here, along with a short history of the Society and information on its administration.
On this site you can also find links to other Bach organizations and to Bach festivals, as well as a small selection of interesting Bach illustrations.
Riemenschneider Bach Institute at Baldwin Wallace Conservatory of Music
April 7–10, 2022
For questions about the upcoming conference, please contact Ellen Exner: vicepresident [at] americanbachsociety.org
April 16, 2021
This month’s episode of Tiny Bach Concerts features a remarks by Michael Marissen (Swarthmore College) and a performance by Maria Keohane, soprano; Fredrik From, violin; with Concerto Copenhagen, directed by Lars Ulrik Mortensen of “Was die Welt in sich hält,” BWV 64/5. Read more…
March 19, 2021
This month’s episode of Tiny Bach Concerts features a performance by organist George Barnes and the Jazz Renaissance Quintet of the Fugue in G minor, BWV 542. Stephen A. Crist (Emory University) provides introductory remarks. Read more…
March 10, 2021
The American Bach Society invites proposals for a grant or grants of up to $2000 for scholarly or creative projects that expand diversity in the study or performance of J. S. Bach and his music. The deadline to apply is May 1, 2021. Read more and apply…
February 15, 2021
This month’s episode of Tiny Bach Concerts features a performance by la speranza of the Sonata in E minor, BWV 1034, with introductory remarks by Dr. Jeanne Swack (University of Wisconsin-Madison). Read more…
January 30, 2021
Bach Perspectives 13: Bach Reworked, published by the University of Illinois Press, is now available. The volume, edited by Laura Buch, features contributions from Stephen A. Crist, Ellen Exner, Moira Leanne Hill, Erinn E. Knyt, and Markus Zepf. For more information, please see our page on the series.
January 15, 2021
This month’s episode of Tiny Bach Concerts features introductory remarks and a performance by Rebecca Cypess (Rutgers University) of W.F. Bach's Concerto in G major, Fk. 40. Read more…
December 15, 2020
This month’s episode of Tiny Bach Concerts features a performance by organist Kola Owolabi (University of Notre Dame) of the Trio on “Allein Gott,” BWV 664. Paul Walker (University of Notre Dame) provides introductory remarks. Read more…
November 15, 2020
This month’s episode of Tiny Bach Concerts features a performance by the Bloomington Bach Cantata Project of the soprano aria “Wer ein wahrer Christ will heissen” from Wer sich selbst erhöhet, BWV 47. Dr. Ellen Exner (New England Conservatory; ABS Vice President) provides introductory remarks. Read more…
November 3, 2020
Bach Notes no. 33 (Fall 2020) has been posted on the website, and copies will be mailed to members shortly. This issue features the announcement of our new Tiny Bach Concerts series, an obituary for Barbara Wolff, a review of streaming Bach festivals by Alannah Rebekah Franklin and a review of the translation of Michael Maul’s Bach’s Famous Choir by Chad Fothergill, and a report on a St. John Passion webinar by Brett Kostrzewski, as well as announcements and member news. Read more…
October 15, 2020
We are very pleased to share today the second episode of our new video series, Tiny Bach Concerts, featuring an introduction by Matthew Dirst and a performance by Ars Lyrica Houston with Mario Aschauer (Matthew Dirst, Artistic Director). Enjoy! Read more…
September 15, 2020
The American Bach Society is thrilled to launch our new video series, Tiny Bach Concerts. Episode 1 features a performance of the "Gloria" and "Dona nobis pacem" from Bach's B-minor Mass, BWV 232, with commentary by ABS member George Stauffer. Read more…
June 8, 2020
Bach Notes no. 32 (Spring 2020) has been published. This issue features the announcement of the honorary lifetime membership of Robin A. Leaver, a farewell message from outgoing president Markus Rathey, reviews of new material on Anna Magdalena Bach, Sara Levy and Christoph Graupner, a report on the ABS/MSA joint conference, as well as announcements and member news. Read more…