The Gächinger Kantorei of Stuttgart is one of Germany's most high-profile choirs, and under the artistic direction of Helmuth Rilling, it has won over an audience of millions. The Gächinger Kantorei is the heart of the Bach Academy, and it represents the academy and the state of Baden-Württemberg at guest performances domestically in Germany and around the world. In spring 2009, the Gächinger Kantorei appeared at 13 concerts with the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv under Rilling's direction, and concert trips to Italy, Korea, the USA, and in numerous German cities are also planned. The Stuttgart Bach Collegium provides the Gächinger Kantorei with a high-quality musical partner, which is also increasing its purely orchestral concert performances. The successful model of the Festival Ensemble Stuttgart, founded by Helmuth Rilling in 2001, has been developed further and extended with the JSB Ensemble as part of the Stuttgart Bach Week since 2011. Young musicians from all over the world gather together to form an ensemble of choir and orchestra – a unique combination which emphasizes the key aspects of the Bachakademie: supporting young people and the international dissemination of academic work.  The Youth Choir of the Bachakademie has met regularly since 2004 to participate in the major musical church services of the Bach Week and the Musikfest Stuttgart.