Case Study of a Merger: The Bach Choir of Bethlehem and the Bel Canto Children’s Chorus

This panel takes conference participants step by step through the process of achieving a successful merger between The Bach Choir of Bethlehem, a 120-year old volunteer chorus with its own Bach Festival Orchestra, and the 25-year old Bel Canto Children’s Chorus. The speakers will discuss frankly the separate strategic planning exercises and goals for each organization that led to the idea of a partnership as well as the joint vision for the provisional affiliation. Forefront, the nation's only statewide membership association for nonprofits, will bring context and insight into general best practices to the conversation. The case study will examine what each organization brings to the table, the involvement of all constituencies in the process; the challenges and successes along the way; and hopes for the collective impact of this merger.