The third summer of Bach’s music in Allentown begins June 13 with the first of three “Bach At Noon” performances by The Bach Choir of Bethlehem in St. John’s Lutheran Evangelical Church, 37 S. Fifth St., Allentown in center city Allentown.

On the second Tuesday of the month in June, July and August, The Bach Choir will present noontime performances, free and open to the public.

“Bach At Noon” a series of 10 free concerts the Choir performs each year, including three in Allentown.

The June “Bach At Noon” is named in honor of Dorothy Hess Baker & her mother Elizabeth Leith Hess, both former members of The Bach Choir of Bethlehem.

The June concert and the participation of featured soprano and alto soloists are made possible in part by a legacy gift from the Dexter F. and Dorothy H. Baker Foundation. The concert will feature Bach’s Cantata 78 and a Vivaldi bassoon concerto.

As requested by the “Arts At St. John’s” committee, which coordinates “Noon-10” series and the Bach performances at St. John’s Lutheran Evangelical Church, the July 11 Allentown “Bach At Noon” concert will celebrate the 500th anniversary of the Reformation with a festive performance of Bach’s famous Cantata 80 “A Mighty Fortress is our God.”

This concert is expected to be attended by K-12 teachers from across the United States attending a National Endowment for the Humanities Bach Institute at Moravian College.

The score and parts of Cantata 80, hand-transcribed by a Moravian organist in 1823, were discovered in the Moravian Archives. This has led scholars to believe that Bethlehem was the place that Bach’s music was performed for the very first time in America.

Bach Choir Artistic Director and Conductor Greg Funfgeld will bring this important part of Lehigh Valley history to Allentown.

After the July ”Bach at Noon” concert, “The Bach Choir Archives Lecture Series” continues with “Charles M. Schwab: Industrialist, Leader, Builder of Community” at the Lehigh Valley Heritage Museum, 432 Walnut St., Allentown. The lecture, which is also free and open to the public, is presented by Steven Donches, President & CEO of The Industrial Archives & Library, Bethlehem.

The lecture highlights the strength of character which Schwab brought to his endeavors, allowing him to succeed in life as an industrialist, a leader, and a builder of community. Almost 80 years after his death, his spirit of doing “something plus” lives on in the sustainability of the world-renowned Bach Choir of Bethlehem.

In August, the “Bach at Noon” repertoire includes Toccata and G Fugue in F Major, BWV 540, featuring organist Thomas Goeman, and Ralph Vaughn Williams’ “Serenade to Music.”

Confirmed repertoire and soloists for each concert follows, with updates to come:

June 13: Concerto in F Major, RV 488, Antonio Vivaldi, with Chuck Holdeman, bassoon; Cantata 78, “Jesu, der du meine Seele,” with soloists Julie Bosworth, soprano; Janna Critz, mezzo-soprano; Stephen Ng, tenor; David Newman, bass.

July 11: Concerto in A Major, BWV 1055, with Kristina Moditch, piano; Cantata 80, “Ein’ feste Burg ist unser Gott,” in celebration of the 500th anniversary of the Reformation.

Aug. 8: Toccata and Fugue in F Major, BWV 540, with Thomas Goeman, organ; Ralph Vaughan Williams, “Serenade to Music,” for 16 solo voices.

“Bach at Noon” concerts are free and open to the public. A free will offering will be received.

Parking is available the Community Parking Deck at Sixth and Walnut streets, about one block from the church.

Information: bach.org; 610-866-4382, ext. 110 or 115