After 50 years of celebrating Johann Sebastian Bach’s legacy, the former Bach Week Festival in Evanston has transformed into a new venture, Bach in the City. The inaugural concert is scheduled for March 21, 2025, at St. Vincent de Paul Church in Chicago's Lincoln Park, marking the start of what many hope will be a long-term tradition.
Richard Webster, who served as music director for all 50 seasons of Bach Week, will continue his role in this new chapter. Webster, an accomplished choir director, organist, and composer, expressed excitement about the opportunity, stating, “St. Vincent has offered Bach in the City a home in the cultural heart of Lincoln Park, one of Chicago’s great destinations for the performing arts.”
Joining Webster is Robert Beatty, St. Vincent de Paul’s director of music and community development, who played a key role in securing the collaboration between the church and Bach in the City. Beatty, also a board member for the new organization, is confident the venue's acoustics will enhance the ensemble’s performances.
The debut concert, described as a “pilot project,” aims to gauge public and donor interest. It will feature works by J.S. Bach and Giovanni Gabrieli, performed by the Gaudette Brass quintet and the newly formed Bach in the City Chorus. The concert is set on Bach’s 329th birthday, adding a historical note to the performance.
The board behind the original Bach Week recently voted to rebrand and continue operations under the new name after facing challenges with funding and leadership. Bach in the City benefits from St. Vincent de Paul’s support, with the church providing space and resources free of charge to help the fledgling organization find its footing.
Webster credits the public’s outcry for keeping the festival alive. “I was swarmed by concerned guests after the final concert, asking what they could do to help keep this going,” he said. With fresh energy, new board members, and a committed audience, Webster remains optimistic about the future of Bach in the City.
Tickets for the March 21 concert will go on sale in January at bachinthecity.org.
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