John Jay High School Singers
Join Oratorio Society for Special Concert

The Westchester Oratorio Society, under the direction of its acclaimed Artistic Director Harold Rosenbaum, begins its 5th Anniversary Season with an exciting and very special all-Beethoven program on Saturday evening, December 1, at John Jay High School in Cross River, NY. The group will perform Beethoven's Choral Fantasy, a piece for piano, chorus, orchestra and soloists, featuring the world-renowned pianist Hélène Grimaud. The concert will also feature Beethoven's Mass in C Major. For the Choral Fantasy, the oratorio society's 90-voice chorus and its acclaimed professional orchestra will be joined by student singers from John Jay High School. Mr. Rosenbaum, who has worked with singers from both John Jay and Fox Lane for previous WOS concerts, has been working with the John Jay students in preparation for the event. Ms. Grimaud, who like Mr. Rosenbaum is a South Salem resident, has worked on many occasions with area students, both as a musician with young musicians, and as a founder of the Wolf Conservation Center in Lewisboro, a local organization dedicated to promoting wolf conservation through education. The French-born Ms. Grimaud has been a fixture on the world stage since her debut with the Orchestre de Paris a decade ago at age 18. Her reputation has grown dramatically in this country over the past several years through her recordings with major American orchestras such as the Baltimore Symphony and the New York Philharmonic. This past summer she opened the Caramoor Music Festival in a performance of Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 2 that was simulcast on WQXR. "Hélène has been a wonderful supporter of our organization. It is an honor to have her performing with us in our 5th Anniversary year," noted Mr. Rosenbaum. "This will be a priceless experience for the students, and for all of our singers." Tickets for the concert, which begins at 8:00 P.M. may be purchased in advance by calling (914)763-9389. General Admission is $20, seniors and students are $15. Limited VIP seating is available for $40, or $65 including a post-concert artist reception. To audition, or for more information about WOS call (914)763-3453 or visit the group's website at www.westchesteroratorio.org