The Louisville Bach Society was founded in 1964 by Melvin and Margaret Dickinson. The inspiration for this organization was gleaned by studying with the world-renowned Bach expert, Helmut Walcha, with whom the above studied organ for two years in the early 60s.

The whole world of Bach cantatas was opened to them at this time, and it was determined that such music should be brought to the people of Kentucky. It was a partial payback for the generosity of the American government, which had awarded Fulbright scholarships to Dickinson and Margaret Leupold, who later became his wife and associate in founding the Bach Society.

The Bach Society specializes in performing the works of Bach, as it should do in carrying such a name. It also realizes a responsibility to the community to perform other major choral-orchestral works by composers such as Brahms, Beethoven, Haydn, Mozart, Rheinberger, Vaughn Williams, and many others, including those of the Renaissance and the contemporary scene.

In addition to performances in Louisville, the LBS also travels to areas throughout Kentucky and nearby states. Most notably, the LBS performed in Lebanon, KY (Messiah and 2 Bach cantatas) to a packed church, with additional hundreds standing outside in 36-degree weather to hear the concert.

The LBS also feels a great responsibility to the younger generation, and performs at least twice each year for school children. These performances are often televised for use in the public schools. Lives of different composers, among them Bach, Handel, Mozart, and Haydn, have been presented in recent years.

Singers in the LBS come from many areas and occupations, from surgeons to bishops, to music teachers, to students, to attorneys, to social workers, to nurses, and you name it! All share a common love for Bach and for excellence in choral singing.