The Bach Choir of Bethlehem’s annual gala is usually a bevy of delights and the 2016 lineup is no different. This year’s performers, Roomful of Teeth, are captivating and authentic, bringing original compositions and their own brand of musical instruments: their voices.

Roomful of Teeth performs the Gala Concert at 4 p.m. Nov. 19, Foy Hall, Priscilla Payne Hurd Campus, Moravian College, Main and Church streets, Bethlehem. The Benefactor Cocktails, Dinner and Auction fundraiser is at 6 p.m. Nov. 19, Hotel Bethlehem, 437 Main St., Bethlehem.

Roomful of Teeth artistic director Brad Wells started the group in 2009 as a vocal project that now stars eight talented performers and boasts a Grammy Award and Pulitzer Prize. Even though they use their voices, Wells distinguishes many differences between the group’s singing and a capella groups:

“We don’t imitate instruments. In a cappella, a beatboxer will imitate drums or singers will imitate a bass. Imitation is fine but the things that our singers are uniquely capable of is truly remarkable.”

Wells went on to say that while he doesn’t like to box his music into a certain genre, Roomful of Teeth’s music is more in the classical tradition, though it’s really an organic revolution from a particular culture or style.

Greg Funfgeld, Bach Choir of Bethlehem Artistic Director and Conductor, is excited to host Roomful of Teeth’s Bethlehem debut. “They come bearing new and wonderful musical gifts,” Funfgeld stated in a press release. “They have studied Tuvan throat singing, yodeling, belting, Inuit throat singing, Korean P’ansori, Georgian singing, Hindustani music and Perisan classical singing with some of the world’s top performers and teachers. They have commissioned new works to enable them to use this incredible knowledge. Prepare to be astonished!”

Previous performers at the Bach Galas include The Bach Collegium Japan, Dave Brubeck, Yo Yo Ma, The American Boychoir, American violinist Hilary Hahn and English soprano Emma Kirkby.

Roomful of Teeth performs in Bethlehem after beginning its tour at the University of Richmond, Bucknell University and The Pennsylvania State University. The day after the Bach Gala, the group performs at the Folger Library, Washington, D.C., and then concerts in New York City, Montana, Idaho, Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, Virginia, Tennessee, Louisiana, Texas, Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Massachusetts, California and Montreal, Canada.

A New York Times review for the group’s album stated: “The voices and percussion meshed to colorful effect, the story propelled by a high-energy blend of stylistic influences including reggae, hip-hop and rock.”

The eight-voice Roomful of Teeth includes: Estelí Gomez, soprano; Martha Cluver, soprano; Caroline Shaw, alto; Elisa Sutherland, alto; Eric Dudley, tenor; Thann Scoggin, baritone; Dashon Burton, bass-baritone, and Cameron Beauchamp, bass.

The Bach Gala program includes: Cantata BWV 51 (“Jauchzet Gott in allen Landen”), by Johann Sebastian Bach, with Estelí Gomez, soprano, and Eric Dudley, piano; “St. John Passion” BWV 245 (“Mein teurer Heiland”), by Johann Sebastian Bach, with Dashon Burton, baritone; Caroline Shaw, viola; Eric Dudley, piano; and “Partita for 8 Voices,” by Caroline Shaw;

Also: “High Done No Why To,” by William Brittelle; “Pocket Book VIII,” by Anna Clyne; “Pocket Book LXV,” by Anna Clyne; “QuietUs,” by Eric Dudley; “Suonare-To Sound,” by Eric Dudley, and “Otherwise,” by Brad Wells.

Roomful of Teeth member Dashawn Burton has been a soloist at the annual Bach Festival of Bethlehem. “We wanted to set the table for the audience with the Bach numbers,” says Wells in a phone interview. “All our members sing all kinds of music and most are accomplished in a classical repertoire.”

Shaw received a Pulitzer Prize in 2013 for her composition, “Partita for 8 Voices,” which appeared on the group’s debut album. This piece will also be performed in Bethlehem and though the original composition made it to No. 1 on the iTunes Classical charts in 2013, Wells says that the piece has gone through an evolution of its own since then.

“Caroline is very open to little shifts of the piece. It’s a thing I really admire about her relationship to her music. She understands that it’s not codifying or ossifying. The song is a holder of ideas that can’t be captured on the page during a performance.”

This openness to music truly encapsulates the way that Roomful of Teeth approaches every performance. With a mix of original compositions from their two albums and the Bach pieces, it should be an evening to remember. Wells is especially excited about a trio of songs composed by group members based on the works of Shakespeare and surveys a number of the amazing things that the group members can do.

The Roomful of Teeth won’t only be on stage, but in the smiles of the audience as they watch and listen to this fantastic group of performers.

Ticket information: The Bach Choir of Bethlehem, 440 Heckewelder Place, Bethlehem; office@bach.org; 610-866-4382