Get to Know Us
Founded in 1969, the Bach Chamber Choir shares its passion for the thrill of live choral singing with the greater Milwaukee community. The choir is comprised of approximately 40 singers, and devoted board members, brought together by the love of fine music; especially music that is suited to the smaller classical choral ensemble. We are a self-supporting, dues-paying, volunteer membership, with auditions held throughout the year. The group performs three to four main programs per season in a variety of beautiful venues in the Milwaukee area. Despite our namesake, we do not perform only Bach! The repertoire is classical, but spans all genres and includes orchestra for many programs. We pride ourselves on working hard, and having a lot of fun. The group also provides singing for costumed-caroling and other special events (funerals, celebrations of life, weddings, parties, etc.). Our tagline is "Live, From Our Hearts to Yours" and we mean it - the choir strives to touch each audience member during every moving performance.
THE DIRECTOR: JONATHAN KIM
Jonathan Kim became the Music Director of the Bach Chamber Choir in the spring of 2020. He is also Director of Music at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church, in Lake Zurich, IL.
Jonathan has conducted a variety of choirs and orchestras, from college-level to Grammy-nominated professional choirs, including True Concord: Voices & Orchestra, based in Tucson. He has also conducted internationally in locations such as the Vatican, St. Peter's Basilica, and the State Opera House in Stara Zagora, Bulgaria.
As a baritone, Jonathan has sung with Opera Pacific in California, has been resident artist with the Fort Wayne Philharmonic, and has been the bass soloist for the Green Bay Civic Orchestra's performance of Verdi's Requiem and the University of Wisconsin--Green Bay's performance of Handel's Messiah.
Jonathan has done graduate work in the doctor of musical arts degree program in choral conducting with a doctoral minor in vocal pedagogy at the University of Arizona. He earned his master of music degree in choral conducting at the University of Notre Dame, and his bachelor of music degree in vocal performance at the University of California, Irvine.
Accompanist Josh Chandra
Josh Chandra has a Bachelor of Music in Keyboard Performance (magna cum laude) from California State University - Fullerton, and he brings a wealth of experience including:
🎼Currently the Director of Music & A/V Operations at St. John Vianney Catholic Parish in Brookfield, WI;
🎼Rehearsal Accompanist for the Archdiocese of Milwaukee's Choir (a.k.a., Arch Choir);
🎼Accompanist for the Santa Ana Unified School District (middle and high school choirs) in Santa Ana, CA;
🎼Pianist for the Irvine United Congregational Church (50-person Chancel Choir) in Irvine, CA;
🎼Church Pianist and Organist for multiple Catholic and Lutheran church choirs in Southern California.
Josh plays piano and organ at weddings, funerals and other events around the Milwaukee area; accompanies and rehearses choirs, ensembles and individuals for auditions, competitions and concerts; teaches piano; and even composes music (we are performing two of his original pieces during our April 19, 2026 concert)! He is an enthusiastic member of ALMA (the Archdiocesan Liturgical Musician's Association) in Milwaukee.
VIDEOS
Click for our YouTube Channel
The Bach Chamber Choir of Milwaukee
The Bach Chamber Choir of Milwaukee
"The First Noel" arr by Dan Forrest - Performed by the Bach Chamber Choir of Milwaukee
Solemn Vespers by W.A. Mozart - Performed by the Bach Chamber Choir & Orchestra of Milwaukee
Solemn Vespers by Mozart | Laudate Pueri - Performed by the Bach Chamber Choir & Orchestra of Milw.
CHOIR FOR HIRE
The Bach Chamber Choir is available to provide music for any occasion - including weddings and other church celebrations, funerals and celebrations of life, holiday gatherings, and private parties - in the metro-Milwaukee area. The choir’s repertoire is very diverse - ranging from spirituals to music for a high mass, and from soothing a cappella pieces to lush, accompanied works.
For example, in February of 2025, we were honored to sing at a beautiful wedding on Milwaukee's East Side. The repertoire included a choral arrangement of the Bach/Gounod "Ave Maria," "Cantique de Jean Racine" by Gabriel Fauré, "Gloria" by Antonio Vivaldi and the Mozart "Ave Verum Corpus." Afterward, we were touched to receive this compliment from the bride:
"You all were absolutely incredible. A couple guests came up to me during the reception with tears in their eyes because of your outstanding performance. The ceremony music was well beyond what I had hoped. It was honestly one of my favorite parts of the day." - Natalie Bandy
Additionally, the Bach Chamber Choir Carolers – adorned in beautiful and authentic Victorian costumes – are available for holiday parties of any size! Our premier caroling group has performed Christmas favorites at many annual traditions: Christmas in the (Third) Ward, the Town Tree Lighting at The Corners of Brookfield, the Resident Holiday Party at St. John’s on the Lake, as pre-show artists for the MSO Holiday Pops performance at the Sharon Lynne Wilson Center, company and church Christmas parties, and holiday gatherings at private residences. We even sang carols and the National Anthem for a Milwaukee Bucks game!
To contact us about availability and rates, please e-mail bachchamberchoir@gmail.com or call 414-319-9816.
SING WITH US!
Are you (or someone you know) interested in auditioning? Friendly, informal auditions take place with our director, Johnathan Kim at our rehearsal location, Wauwatosa Avenue United Methodist Church. You’ll do vocalizing - scales and testing the range - and sing some familiar songs. Feel free to bring a prepared piece, although it is not required. To schedule an audition, send us an e-mail us at bachchamberchoir@gmail.com.
Rehearsals also take place at Wauwatosa Avenue United Methodist Church. We practice every Tuesday, 7-9 pm, mid August to mid April, (with breaks after concerts and for holidays). We typically sing 3-4 concerts per year – in the fall, at Epiphany and in the spring. We also sing Christmas favorites as the Bach Chamber Choir Carolers, dressed in authentic Victorian costumes (not a required activity, but a really fun one!).
CONTACT US
DONATIONS ARE APPRECIATED!
The Bach Chamber Choir's main source of income is ticket sales. A variety of other fundraising functions such as raffles and auctions supplement our income from ticket sales, as well as performances at holiday parties, masses, weddings and other functions outside of the concert venue. Private contributions are also an important source of income. All revenue generated goes directly to the support of the choir.
We keep our advertising and promotional expenses to a minimum, and volunteers handle all our administrative work. The Board of Directors works with the Music Director to set the general artistic direction of the ensemble. The Board provides the organizational and financial direction for the ensemble, as well.
PayPal Charitable Giving Fund
