The Bach and Handel Chorale celebrated 30 years of music Saturday with an anniversary concert and reception at St. Mark's Episcopal Church in Jim Thorpe.

The program opened with an orchestra piece, "Sonata for Three Trumpets, Tympani and Orchestra" by George Phillip Telemann.A blessing for the chorale and Festival Orchestra was offered by the Rev. F. Peter Muhr, pastor at St. John's Lutheran Church in the Heights, where the chorale rehearses."You are a treasure to the Jim Thorpe community," said Muhr.He noted that founder and conductor Randall Douglas Perry and his brother Timothy inherited their love and talent for music from their father. Their mother is a 30-year member of the chorale.The concert featured the works of namesakes, Johann Sebastian Bach and George Frideric Handel, including Bach's Cantata BWV 118, "O Jesus Christ, My Life and Light," which was dedicated to the memory of all deceased members of the chorale.The chorale performed several new selections and familiar favorites, including "And the Glory of the Lord" from Handel's "Messiah," which it performed in its entirety in 2011.Perry offered some of his own arrangements, including "We Sing of God," written and composed by him for the anniversary. He used the text to speak of the group's faith and appreciation for its supporters.A short reception gave the chorale a chance to meet local music lovers and thank them for three decades of support."We wanted to thank all of our patrons and businesses who have sponsored us over the years," said Leta Thompson, president of the chorale's board of directors."We depend a lot on support from businesses and patrons, and they've really stepped up to help us. I think that proves that we've filled a real need for people who love our music."Thompson also credited the members themselves, who work hard to raise additional needed funds, and to Perry, who had a vision for the chorale and has inspired each singer and volunteer."These things have made us strong," she said. "We're hoping that we're around for 30 more years."The recession of 2009 was felt by nearly all Americans, and struck some groups harder than others. The arts continue to be hit especially hard. Grants were never plentiful, but became even more difficult to find. (The Bach and Handel Chorale receives a grant from the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts through the Lehigh Valley Arts Council.)At the same time, business and concertgoers were also forced to cut back on support for the arts."When the recession hit in 2009, people had to make decisions about what they were going to do with their time and money. When people have limited resources, one of the first thing to go is entertainment," said Thompson.The chorale countered by lowering its admission prices. It also reduced the number of concerts accompanied by the orchestra, a cut noticed by many patrons. The orchestra is both one of the group's trademark features and its largest expenses.Members have also rallied to find additional sponsors and fundraisers."What we're trying to do is build up our funding and spend our money very wisely, so that we can continue to do what we love," said Thompson."People really believe in what they're doing here. When you believe in what you're doing, it shows. I think when people come to our concerts, they pick up on our inspiration and that in turn inspires them to continue coming."We hope to continue providing high quality music, and to try different things," she added. "We know what works, and we're willing to step out of our comfort zone to try other things."The chorale is looking to continue connecting with the community, said Thompson, looking for both support and new members and volunteers. She is especially excited about new young members."We're always happy when we have high school or college students coming to sing with us. We feel that we have something to offer them, but they also have something to offer us."The chorale was founded in 1984 to celebrate the 300th anniversaries of Johann Sebastian Bach and George Frideric Handel.The group is based in Jim Thorpe and offers concerts throughout the year, featuring works from Bach, Handel, and other classical and modern composers.The chorale will continue its anniversary celebration with "A Celebration of American Song" at 3 and 7 p.m. Saturday, May 17, at the Mauch Chunk Opera House. It will be accompanied by the Perseverance Jazz Band, a six-member band known for its Dixieland jazz.Chorale founder Perry is a member of the Perseverance Jazz Band.The concert will include a selection of popular Dixieland selections such as "When the Saints Go Marching In," "Amazing Grace," and "Battle Hymn of the Republic.""This will be a different twist for our group. We're looking forward to it, because it will allow us to branch out and experience music that we haven't performed before," she said.Tickets are available through the chorale office and at the Dimmick Memorial Library and Nutritional Needs, both on Broadway in Jim Thorpe.For more information about the chorale, visit

www.bachandhandelchorale.org.