ThisThe origins of the Birmingham Bach choir lie in a "Birmingham Bach Society" formed in 1919, but the choir was reformed and enlarged in 1947 by Dr. Willis Grant, later Professor of Music at Bristol University. Other conductors have included Roy Massey in the mid 60's and Richard Butt from 1966-1992. During Richard Butt's 26 years, the work of the Birmingham Bach Society (as it was then known), expanded to promote concerts and recitals by well known orchestras, ensembles and soloists as part of the Society's committment to the works of J S Bach. These promotions included the English Chamber Orchestra with Raymond Leppard, the German Bach Soloists, the Fine Arts Brass Ensemble, the King's Singers, Yehudi Menuhin, George Malcolm, Paul Tortelier, Gillian Wier, Emma Kirkby, Peter Pears, John Shirley Quirk and Patricia Rozario. Strong links were made in 1989 with the Thomaskirche Leipzig where Bach was cantor for 27 years.     In 1989 the Birmingham Bach Society choir gave a performance of Bach's B Minor Mass in the Thomaskirche. Since then the association has continued, most recently with a visit from the Leipzeiger Vocal Ensemble in the summer of 1997. Besides its current regular series of Choral Concerts in Birmingham, the choir has a busy schedule of events and further afield. Most recently, the choir has performed at Festivals in Lichfield, Cheltenham, Leipzig and Prague. The choir also toured Dresden in 2001 and has been invited to return in 2006. MORE