For almost 40 years, the Bach Society in Grove City has offered singers a venue to perform classical music while also challenging themselves by taking on tough tunes.

The Bach Society will celebrate its 40th anniversary with concerts Dec. 6 and 7, which will feature the group’s signature classical choral music combined with some more “fun” songs from modern movie soundtracks.

Dianne Gordon, president of the Bach Society, has been singing with the group for 18 years. She said the chorus will perform songs from its namesake, Johann Sebastian Bach, as well as classical composers like Brahms and Beethoven. Following some of the classical tunes the chorus is known for, the society will sing songs from “The Polar Express” and “The Muppet Christmas Carol.”

“The group is committed to singing choral music, more difficult than your normal church choir. We're committed to educational purposes of helping people to be aware and commit to classical music, and also good, sacred and folk music,” Gordon said. “The second half is lighter, but fun.”

According to Gordon, the Bach Society started with just 16 people who got together as like-minded musicians looking to perform classical music in the Grove City area. The chorus now numbers almost 45 members, who travel from Butler, Volant, the Hermitage area, Mercer, Slippery Rock and other places to participate in the chorus.

Gordon said the chorus has remained popular over four decades because of the commitment its members continue to make to perform difficult music that challenges the singers as well as the audience.

“There aren't many choruses of our quality that can sing serious music,” Gordon said. “There are people who are looking for groups to sing in; we have people who are seeking out this type of music.”

Leo Sayles, choral director for the Bach Society, said the music draws a lot of people in to the group’s shows, and it also binds members of the chorus together in a shared love of the music. He relishes the opportunity to take on challenging music as a director.

“It’s wonderful to direct more advanced music, more difficult to sing,” Sayles said. “It requires a good amount of work for us to put them together, and it’s definitely a reward for everyone.”

The music is also what drew Gordon to the chorus.

“We sing fairly challenging music, and that to me is what made me want to join,” Gordon said. “A group of like-minded musicians who really wanted to make beautiful music together, that is not sung on a regular basis.”

The Bach Society’s 40th anniversary shows will begin at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 6 at the Center Presbyterian Church, 211 Center St., Slippery Rock, and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 7 at the Tower Presbyterian Church, 248 S. Broad St., Grove City. Admission is free. More information is available online at bachsocietycommunitychoir.com.