“This July 8 ‘Bach at Noon’ quite serendipitously falls on my birthday,” says Dr. Christopher Jackson, Bach Choir of Bethlehem Artistic Director and Conductor.

“I have used this as an excuse to showcase music that has been personally significant and meaningful in my life.”

The Bach Choir of Bethlehem’s “Bach at Noon” is at 12:10 p.m. July 8 as part of the “Arts at St. John’s” performance series, St. John’s Lutheran Church, Allentown.

The Bach Choir and some of the finest chamber vocalists from New York City, Baltimore and the Lehigh Valley, will perform a wide-ranging program from two of Johann Sebastian Bach’s older relatives, Johann Michael Bach (1648-1694) and Johann Christoph Bach (1642-1703), to Claudio Monteverdi (1567-1643) and Thomas Tallis (1505-1585).

The concert includes several 20th century British part-songs by Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872-1958), Frank Bridge (1879-1941) and Benjamin Britten (1913-1976).

Guest vocalists are sopranos Madeline Healey and Katelyn Grace Jackson, countertenor Timothy Parsons, tenors Nathan Hodgson and Stephen Sands and bass-baritone Joseph Hubbard.

Says Jackson, “It promises to be a delightful afternoon concert where I can share some of my most favorite choral music with our community.”

Bach Choir of Bethlehem, “Bach at Noon,” 12:10 p.m. July 8, St. John’s Lutheran Church, 37 S. Fifth St., Allentown. Tickets: 610-866-4382, ext. 110, 115; https://bach.org/

The Allentown Symphony Orchestra Pops, directed by ASO Interim Assistant Conductor Michael Avagliano, and the Chicago rock band tribute group Brass Transit present an evening of popular hits in “Brass Transit - The Music of Chicago,” 7:30 p.m. July 12, Miller Symphony Hall, Allentown.

“I’m honored to be leading the Allentown Symphony for the first time with this amazing concert,” says Avagliano, adding. “It’s the perfect way to celebrate the summer with the classic tunes of Chicago and the fantastic musicians of Brass Transit.”

Brass Transit has performed as interpreters of the music of Chicago since 2008.

The concert covers music from 11 albums over three decades and opens with Chicago’s first Top 10 record on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Chart, the 1970 hit “Make Me Smile” from “Chicago II.”

The inspiration for one of the seven movements from the suite, “Ballet for a Girl in Buchannon,” written by Chicago trombonist James Pankow, came while listening to Johann Sebastian Bach’s Brandenburg concerti coupled with Pankow’s interest in the music of Igor Stravinsky.

Considering themselves a “rock ‘n’ roll band with integrated horns,” Chicago’s sound was introduced in the group’s first album, “Chicago Transit Authority” (1969). From that album, Brass Transit performs “Beginnings,” “Questions 67 & 68,” “I’m A Man” and “Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?”

“Free,” from “Chicago III,” is one of seven movements in “Travel Suite” which relates the band’s experiences while on concert tours.

“Saturday in the Park,” from “Chicago V” (1972), recounts what Chicago band member Robert Lamm experienced while strolling through New York City’s Central Park.

The concert includes “Just You and Me” and “Feeling Stronger” (“Chicago VI,” 1973); “Call on Me” and “Searching So Long´ (“Chicago VII,” 1974); “Old Days” (“Chicago VIII,” 1975); “If You Leave Me Now” (“Chicago X,” 1977). and “Hard Habit to Break” (“Chicago 17,” 1984).

Says Avagliano, “Hearing the music of Chicago paired with the power of a full symphony orchestra is a unique experience you won’t want to miss.”

“Brass Transit - The Music of Chicago,” Allentown Symphony Orchestra Pops, 7:30 p.m. July 12, Miller Symphony Hall, 23 N. Sixth St., Allentown; Free tickets for those age 21 and under. Tickets: box office; 610-432-6715; https://millersymphonyhall.org/

“Classical View” is a column about classical music, concerts, conductors and performers. To request coverage, email: Paul Willistein, Focus editor, pwillistein@tnon-line.com