On Sunday, November 22, 2009, Westchester Oratorio Society opens its 13th season with a unique program of classic and contemporary compositions in an historic concert at the Presbyterian Church of Mt. Kisco (for a map, click here).


Westchester Oratorio Society will perform Bach's superlative Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring and Beethoven's magisterial Mass in C, Op. 86, accompanied by Mary Jane Newman, Minister of Music at PCMK, on the magnificent von Beckerath pipe organ, completed just one year ago.


Anthony Newman's Sibley Requiem, a majestic work evidencing Newman's love for Baroque counterpoint, as well as modern harmony and melody, will be presented, accompanied by the composer himself.


This is the first time husband and wife Anthony & Mary Jane Newman will perform as accompanists in the same concert.  Both are renowned for their keyboard virtuosity.


Melissa Shippen, Soprano, Elizabeth Thorne, Alto, Daniel Neer, Tenor and DeAndre Simmons, Baritone are the featured soloists.


Conductor Benjamin Niemczyk assembled this brilliant program of classical masterworks and a contemporary composition, encouraging his 60-voice ensemble to master more challenging works.  The Westchester Oratorio Society attracts avocational singers from Westchester, Putnam and Fairfield Counties, as well as New York City. The Oratorio Society was recently rated Westchester's Best Amateur Chorus by Westchester Magazine.


Recent concerts have featured works by Verdi, James Bassi, Jonathan David, Handel, Faure, Berlioz, Tavener, Bruckner and Brahms.  Tickets for this November's concert are $20 General Admission, $40 Preferred Seating, and may be purchased on our website via PayPal.