Emmanuel Music is a 501(c)3 professional orchestra & chorus in Boston, MA. Our mission is to engage with audiences and musicians to explore the enduring questions of our shared human experience, building on our core commitment to the music of J.S. Bach.

Emmanuel Music was founded in 1970 with the idea of presenting the sacred cantatas of J.S. Bach in the liturgical context for which they were written. Now in 2023, the scope of our programming and mission has evolved to embrace opportunities to engage more communities throughout Boston. Through performing, teaching, mentoring, and scholarly activities, we occupy a unique niche: a living laboratory for the music of J. S. Bach. Emmanuel Music seeks to make Bach’s music deeply relevant to our current lives, including highlighting the connections between Bach and artists that he influenced, especially creative voices that have been marginalized in our society. As a nonprofit professional orchestra and chorus in Boston, Massachusetts, we offer upwards of 60+ performances per year along with engagement, education, and outreach programs open to the public. All of our performances and programming are offered free of charge and reflect a steadfast dedication to accessibility that sets us apart from most other classical music organizations. At Emmanuel Music, we aim to empower and prioritize individuals who have been impacted by long-standing systemic inequities to more easily access and experience the transformative and healing powers of live music, regardless of their location or socioeconomic status. Some of our core programming includes: Main Stage performances, Breathe with Bach at the Boston Public Library, Motet Commissioning Project, Bach Cantata series, Musical Sanctuary, The Bach Institute.

Emmanuel Music affirms the pivotal role that access to the arts play in developing healthy, equitable, and thriving communities. As such, we are committed to expanding our access, education, and engagement opportunities to support the wellbeing of our many diverse Boston communities. We are doing this by eliminating financial and institutional barriers to attending Emmanuel Music performances, extending our free live music initiatives into residential communities, developing arts education partnerships and professional development opportunities, and centering underrepresented voices in classical music.

Emmanuel Music is 73% funded by individual philanthropy. Because we could not carry our mission without your support, your gift today in any amount will be deeply felt.

Giving Tuesday

Support Emmanuel Music on this day of global generosity.

Team Members