About Blue Hill Bach

The mission of Blue Hill Bach is to present historically informed performances, recordings, and educational programs that explore vocal and instrumental music of the Baroque, as well as repertoire that demonstrates the place of Baroque music within the span of music history.

Blue Hill Bach was founded in 2011 to bring Baroque music for voice and period instruments to coastal Downeast Maine. Drawing upon the wealth of talent in the region—including college and high school students—and visiting artists who specialize in early music, Blue Hill Bach presents some of the most beautiful and profound music ever written, performed as Bach himself would have imagined it.

Our young organization has grown from a single concert in the summer of 2011 to year-round activities, including a week-long summer festival, a performance of Handel’s Messiah each December, a spring celebration of Bach’s birthday, and outreach programs that deepen understanding of Baroque music. We’ve attracted a strong audience for our events, with support from individuals, businesses, and institutions throughout the region, and received a grant for outreach programs from Early Music America for 2016-17. Involving young people in our activities is a priority—students and emerging artists perform in our ensemble and as soloists, and in 2014 we began offering the Marville Young Artist Fellowship to a young musician who shows special talent in early music performance.  In 2020 Blue Hill Bach was given a splendid Flemish style harpsichord by the estate of the distinguished musicologist Virginia Newes to use in our performances — read about and see photos of this wonderful instrument here.

We strive to involve the community in our activities in as many ways as possible and are very grateful for the hard work of our many volunteers. Above all, we work to offer musical experiences that are, in the words of an Advisory Board member, “relaxed, accessible, and friendly—with formidable musicians.”

Non-discrimination Policy
Blue Hill Bach does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender expression, age, national origin, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status in any activities or operations. We are committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for our audiences, performers, volunteers, staff, directors, and members of our board.