Fourth and fifth grade students in the Lehighton Area School District used their listening skills at the Bach to School program presented Wednesday at the Lehighton Area Middle School by the Bach Choir of Bethlehem.

Greg Funfgeld, artistic director and conductor, said that nearly 100,000 students have been part of the Bach to School program that teaches the life and music of Johann Sebastian Bach.The group reached that milestone this past week in Bethlehem.Approximately 15 musicians and 25 choir members were on middle school stage to present the program.During the hour long program, their young ears experienced the joy and inspiration of Bach's music as the Bach Choir presented seven selections using their voices and instruments.Funfgeld shared facts on Bach's lifelong dedication to writing music from a young age until his death at 65 years old.He noted that many of Bach's pieces were written for use in the church."Bach had 20 children, but some of his children died at young ages," said Funfgeld. "He loved children."Bach's own parents died young and Bach was orphaned by the time he was 10 years old. Bach was raised by his older brother, who was jealous of his talent, noted Funfgeld."We all have emotions, sometimes feeling sad, happy, frightened and music has the power to make us feel emotions," said Funfgeld. "Bach put some emotions into his music."Some of the music played by the Bach Choir was stirring while other pieces were restful.Funfgeld said that while Bach's music has been heard in all areas of the world and was sent into outer space, Bach himself never went more than 200 miles from his home in Germany.Funfgeld noted that Bach was required to write a new piece of music for each Sunday's service. In all, Bach wrote about 300 of those cantatas for Mass.Funfgeld was impressed with the student's knowledge of Bach's life.He noted that Bach's whole family was involved in music."He had a gift from God, said Funfgeld. "I hope that you'll always listen to a little Bach."Funfgeld said that the group performs concerts throughout the year and that usually there are 90 singers and a full orchestra."We're all involved in a career in music in some way," said Funfgeld."The students were taught about Bach in anticipation of this program," noted Laura Welkey, a teacher in the district, who is also a 20-year member of the choir.The Bach Choir is the oldest American Bach Choir, performing the first American performances of The Mass in B Minor and The Christmas Oratorio. Since its founding in 1898, the now-famous Choir has been attracting thousands of national and international visitors every May to its annual Bethlehem Bach Festival.The choir has performed at the Thomaskirche in Leipzig, the Herkulessaal at Munich's Royal Residence, The Kennedy Center in Washington, and Carnegie Hall in New York, as well as for its recordings on the Dorian label.The choir toured the United Kingdom, including a performance for the prestigious BBC Proms in London's Royal Albert Hall. In May 2007, the choir celebrated its 100th Festival.The choir has released seven recordings on the Dorian and Analekta labels.