The Bethlehem pilgrimage that is the annual trek of thousands to the Bach Festival for two weekends in May again won’t happen in the traditional sense this year.

There will be live-streaming concerts and events, in keeping with The Bach Choir of Bethlehem approach to coping with coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic safety protocols.

The 113th festival will be held during one weekend, May 14 and 15, instead of the usual two weekends. Locations for the modified Festival are expected to be confirmed in early April.

It’s the second year in a row that the in-person festival, which dates to 1898, has been canceled.

Choir officials made the call to cancel the in-person 2021 Bethlehem Bach Festival “due to the ongoing gathering restrictions imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic.”

The Bach Choir of Bethlehem announced that it will modify its 2021 Bethlehem Bach Festival to offer live-streaming concerts and events.

The audience, if any, “will be allowed on a limited basis according to pandemic protocol in place in May,” stated the March 1 press release.

All plans “are subject to change as COVID-19 restrictions require.”

The Festival is being modified because of the following considerations, according to the Choir’s website:

- Travel restrictions will have an impact on soloists, musicians and audience members

- The size of audiences may be limited.

- Gathering choir and orchestra for rehearsals has been restricted for many months.

“Bach Choir of Bethlehem Artistic Director and Conductor Greg Funfgeld has confirmed a new retirement date in response to the much compromised 2020-2021 season, with restrictions that prevented The Choir from rehearsing and presenting concerts, along with audience size limits imposed by the pandemic,” said Bach Choir of Bethlehem Board President Harold Black.

Funfgeld will lead The Bach Choir and Bach Festival Orchestra through June 2022, completing his 39th season.

In his note to Choir members, Funfgeld reflected, “I have asked myself the question, ‘What is required in this time, in these circumstances, so that The Bach Choir can have the best possible transition to new leadership and the brightest future?’

“This seems to be the best solution going forward. I hope you will agree … We have a relationship built on years of wonderful music-making and caring for one another.

“We are a family in many ways. I’m grateful for the challenges and opportunities we have now and look to the future with great optimism and the highest hopes.

“I can’t wait until we can start making music together again, in the same room, face-to-face, voices soaring. How glorious that will be!”

Bach Choir of Bethlehem Executive Director Bridget George had earlier revised her retirement date from December 2020 to June 2021 and will leave her position at that time.

“While it is a deep sorrow for me that the final two Bach Festivals of my 24-year tenure could not happen as originally planned, I am grateful for the many beautiful ways we have continued to connect musically with our artists, audience and supporters through this prolonged challenging time,” said George.

“We promise to make the modified Festival in May 2021 a joyful experience for you, whether virtually or in person, so please join us.

“I am also profoundly grateful that Greg will lead his final celebratory Festival in 2022. I will certainly be present to cheer on not only Greg and our successors, but the whole Bach Choir Family I love and admire so greatly,” George said.

Candidates to succeed Funfgeld and George have been identified and the transition plans will continue, according to the press release.

Despite being unable to present concerts to an in-person audience, Funfgeld has produced performances for the 2020-2021 season through virtual programming, including monthly “Bach at Noon” concerts, weekly “Moment of Comfort” videos and an online “Christmas Concert” viewed around the world.

Funfgeld is working on an educational film, “Bach, Bikes and Basketball,” for a new online “Bach to School” program for students and teachers this spring, which will be distributed to a wider audience.

Funfgeld will continue the virtual approach with the 2021 Festival, and lead Choir members, along with Orchestra members and soloists, through live-streamed performances presented, if possible, in front of a small audience.

This fall, Funfgeld plans a new season of concerts that will include the full Choir and Orchestra presented live to an audience.

Bach Festival

Here’s the provisional schedule, to be confirmed. Events will be live-streamed with limited in-person audience as allowed.

May 14

2 p.m. - Distinguished Scholar Lecture: Lecturer to be announced

4 p.m. - Bach Outdoors Chamber Music: J.S. Bach and other composers, including Vivaldi’s “Four Seasons,” featuring Elizabeth Field, concertmaster, as violin soloist with one instrument to a part.

May 15

10:30 a.m. - Ifor Jones Chamber Music Concert: Paul Taylor Dance Company, Bach’s Brandenburgs Opus No. 88 and Esplanade Opus No. 61, performed with recorded music. Bach Flute Sonata: Robin Kani, flute, and Greg Funfgeld, keyboard

7:30 p.m. - “Blessings and Benediction” Concert: Bach Choir, Orchestra, and featured soloists. Repertoire to be announced.

Bach Festival ticket information: The Bach Choir of Bethlehem staff will contact patrons who have tickets to the 2021 Bethlehem Bach Festival and offer options for their tickets.

Ticket-holders may also contact the Choir by calling 610-866-4382, ext. 115 or ext. 110.

Tickets to live-streamed events, and possibly a limited number of in-person tickets, are expected to be available online in April.

If an audience is allowed, priority in-person tickets will be made available to Choir Guarantors before being offered to the public.

Audience members will be seated according to the COVID-19 distancing protocol being followed in May.

There are no reserved seats.

Information: www.bach.org