The Bach Choir of Bethlehem welcomes the Thomanerchor from Saint Thomas Church, Leipzig, Germany, to Bethlehem for its Gala Concert and Fund-raiser, 4 p.m. Nov. 11, Central Moravian Church, Bethlehem, followed by Benefactor Cocktails, Dinner and Auction, 6 p.m., Saucon Valley Country Club, Lower Saucon Township.

Bethlehem is one of only three northeastern United States concert locations for the Thomanerchor on its American tour, which celebrates the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation.

The Thomanerchor performs for the first time in the Lehigh Valley at Central Moravian Church where Bach’s music was first heard in the United States.

The transcendent program includes three Bach motets, “Der geist Hilft,” “Komm, Jesu, Komm,” and “Fürchte dich nicht,” along with works by early baroque composer Heinrich Schütz; the music of Johann Hermann Schein, who was one of Bach’s predecessors at Saint Thomas Church by some 100 years, and 19th century works by Felix Mendelssohn.

Greg Funfgeld, artistic director and conductor of The Bach Choir of Bethlehem, feels the Choir’s connection to Bach’s Thomanerchor very deeply.

“It is incredibly wonderful and absolutely appropriate for the Thomanerchor to come to Bethlehem and offer a concert on this tour,” says Funfgeld.

“Bethlehem has been the most significant home for the music of Johann Sebastian Bach in The United States since his music was first sung, played, and studied here in 1823.

“The first performances of Bach’s Saint John Passion (1888), Mass in B Minor (1900) and Christmas Oratorio (1901), among many other works, were all given in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania by The Bach Choir of Bethlehem,” Funfgeld says.

“The Moravians brought with them a musical heritage as deep as their spiritual heritage and Bach’s music has thrived in this community. It is a singular honor for us to welcome these extraordinary colleagues from Leipzig and the Saint Thomas Church, where The Bach Choir has had the privilege to sing twice.

“This is a not-to-be missed event in our Christmas City and an outstanding opportunity for parents and grandparents to bring their children and grandchildren to be inspired and amazed. The exuberance of these young artists will touch the hearts and minds of us all and give us an afternoon to remember as long as we live,” says Funfgeld.

Established in the year 1212, the Thomanerchor was led by J.S. Bach for 27 years and together they premiered many of his works. Today, the Saint Thomas Choir, with members between the ages of nine and 18, continues as a major institution in Germany.

“Surely this is what it must have been like to hear Bach lead the ensemble in one of his cantatas ... ,” stated The New York Times of a recent performance by the Thomanerchor.

The Thomanerchor school is adjacent to the Saint Thomas Church, where they perform each week with the Gewandhaus Orchestra. The Thomanerchor has even been featured on a postage stamp.

Thomaskantor Gotthold Schwarz, who leads the Thomanerchor, says that the content and musical values of Bach are important for sustaining the lives of the choir members. He says the boys recognize that “joy and cheering, mourning and lamentation, anger and reconciliation are expressed in singing and music-making.”

Schwarz also acknowledges that “The awareness of what we’re working with and what a treasure has been entrusted to us has never been lost. It is a splendor and warmth that should surround the audience, and delight the singer himself, as well.”

The group travels to Bethlehem from Ithaca, N.Y., and will have lunch at The Sun Inn prior to the performance. Luncheon hosts are the event’s honorary chairs, Dr. Albert and Ingrid May, who have a long association with the Thomanerchor in Leipzig.

B. Braun, with global headquarters in Germany and U.S. corporate headquarters in Bethlehem, is the event’s lead sponsor.

Tickets: bach.org; 610-866-4382 ext. 113, or 110