COURTESY BACH FESTIVAL SOCIETY OF WINTER PARK
As Autumn’s colors begin to fade in Central Florida, a different kind of vibrancy arrives: the 91st season of the Bach Festival, Winter Park’s signature and storied musical tradition, returns October 2025 through April 2026 with a lineup that bridges baroque, romantic, modern, and Americana.
This season is more than a cycle of concerts; it’s a statement: to celebrate legacy, to foster innovation, and to support emerging voices in choral art.
A Season Outline: Highlights & Themes
The Festival’s 91st iteration is anchored by its annual oratorio tradition but interwoven with chamber works, organ recitals, vocal ensemble showcases, and genre-crossover programming.
At the heart of it is the 91st Annual Bach Festival, whose programming begins with an Organ Concert, advances through choral masterworks, and culminates in signature thematic programs.
Another keystone is the 2nd Annual National Oratorio Competition, drawing emerging vocalists from around the U.S. Each winner will have the opportunity to perform with the Festival’s choir and orchestra.
Below is a season calendar of key events:
91st Season Events — Select Highlights
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Oct 19, 2025 / 3:00 PM – Daniel Adam Maltz, fortepiano with Bach Chamber Choir & Orchestra
A stirring opening concert featuring historic keyboard and ensemble interplay. -
Oct 25, 2025 / 7:30 PM – Voctave: The 10th Anniversary Tour
The celebrated a cappella group returns, blending classical technique with modern repertoire. -
Nov 2, 2025 / 3:00 PM – Carmina Burana & Rhapsody in Blue
A bold juxtaposition: Orff’s iconic secular cantata meets Gershwin’s orchestral jazz-inflected Americana. -
Nov 7, 2025 / 7:30 PM – Vespers, Sergei Rachmaninoff with Bach Vocal Artists
A nocturnal, contemplative program of Rachmaninoff’s sacred choral settings. -
Dec 13–14, 2025 / Afternoon & Early Evening – A Classic Christmas
A seasonal offering in multiple timeslots over two days. -
Jan 30, 2026 / 7:30 PM – Americana: Barber, Bernstein, Copland
A nod to American voices, blending mid-20th century staples with the festival’s classical grounding. -
Feb 6, 2026 / 7:30 PM – Organ Recital, Colin MacKnight
The opening of the core Festival portion: rising organist MacKnight takes center stage. -
Feb 15, 2026 / 7:30 PM – VOCES8
The British vocal ensemble known for its clarity, emotional range, and inventive programming appears in Central Florida for a rare engagement. -
Feb 20–21, 2026 / 7:30 PM – Concertos by Candlelight: Guilmant, Paganini, Rachmaninoff
Intimate evening performances blending violin, organ, and chamber textures. -
Feb 22, 2026 / 3:00 PM – Age of Enlightenment: Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven
An afternoon of classical mainstays. -
Feb 28, 2026 / 3:00 PM – Fuoco Obbligato
A chamber program centered on spirited ensemble works. -
Mar 1, 2026 / 3:00–6:00 PM – St. John Passion | J. S. Bach
The Festival’s anchor choral-orchestral work, presented in full. -
Mar 15, 2026 / 3:00 PM – Lysander Piano Trio
A chamber afternoon with refined textures. -
Mar 26, 2026 / 7:30 PM – Passion Music for Early America with Bach Vocal Artists
A rare look at early-American religious and choral works, bridging early music and new perspectives. -
Apr 10, 2026 / 7:30 PM – Sacred Service Duke Ellington with Samuel McKelton
A crossover highlight blending jazz, sacred traditions, and choral voices. -
Apr 25, 2026 / 7:30 PM & Apr 26, 2026 / 3:00 PM – Silver Screen Classics
A cinematic-themed closing, pairing film music favorites with orchestral and choral forces.
Why Orlando Readers Should Take Note
A Cultural Asset Just Next Door
Though rooted in Winter Park, the Bach Festival draws from and offers to the greater Orlando area rare blend of locally anchored but internationally minded programming. In a metro area rich with commercial entertainment, this Festival offers something quieter, refined, and expressive.
A Mix of Styles to Suit Many Tastes
The programming is deliberately eclectic. From Bach’s passions to Duke Ellington’s sacred jazz service, from VOICES8’s purity of tone to cinematic favorites, the season is built to surprise and engage both seasoned classical audiences and curious newcomers.
New Voices, Old Masters
The second National Oratorio Competition exemplifies the Festival’s investment in emerging talent. By giving winners the chance to perform with the Festival’s choir and orchestra, the organization continues nurturing the next generation of choral soloists, right here in Florida.
Intimacy & Grandeur
The “Concertos by Candlelight” series and chamber recitals offer intimate settings, while grand works like St. John Passion and Carmina Burana deliver full-scale power. The balance ensures audiences can experience both the hushed and the heart-stirring.
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The season runs from October 19, 2025 through April 26, 2026.
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Subscription and single-ticket information (locations, pricing, etc.) are available via the Festival’s website.
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The Bach Festival Society emphasizes inclusion, access, and community engagement as core to its mission.
For Orlando residents seeking a deeper or more contemplative musical experience, the 91st Bach Festival season promises to be a compelling invitation.