Sixth Season

The Westchester Oratorio Society begins its sixth season with regular Tuesday evening rehearsals resuming September 3 at John Jay Middle School, Cross River, NY. An eventful summer included a concert tour of the Canadian Rockies for many of the group's members with WOS's Artistic Director, Harold Rosenbaum, as well as a very well-attended series of "summer sings" at Northern Westchester Center for the Arts. Mr. Rosenbaum, who concluded his summer with an appearance at the Bard Summer Music Festival, is looking forward to another exciting year The 2002-2003 Season gets underway on Saturday evening, November 9, when WOS makes a special appearance with the Brooklyn Philharmonic Orchestra, performing the Finale of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony at the Interfaith Committee Concert of Remembrance at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York City. This will be WOS's second appearance with the Brooklyn Philharmonic, and the singers' second performance of the Ninth's Finale which they performed two seasons ago at Carnegie Hall with the Manhattan Symphony. On Saturday evening, January 11, the group will present Shubert's Mass in A Flat Major at the Mary Lou Meese Theater at Fox Lane High School in Bedford, NY and on Sunday, May 4, the season concludes with a presentation of Bach's St. John Passion at the Rye Presbyterian Church. Both concerts will feature WOS's own acclaimed professional orchestra, as well as noted professional soloists. This year's gala benefit dinner at the Hammond Museum on Saturday evening, April 5, 2003, will feature a performance by the world-renowned pianist, Misha Dichter. The event continues the tradition of exceptional stars of the classical music world, many living in northern Westchester, graciously lending their time and talents in support of the non-profit oratorio society's efforts to bring choral masterworks performed as they were intended to local audiences. Past performers have included, Pianist Hélène Grimaud, Violinist Ani Kavafian, Soprano Julianne Baird, Baritone David Arnold, the Strathmere Ensemble, and founding members of the Orchestra of St. Luke's. Auditions for new singers are on-going for all voices (soprano, tenor, alto, bass) from Westchester, Fairfield, Putnam, and the New York metropolitan area including high school and college age students. Though no previous experience is required, some sight-reading ability is desired. For more information, or to audition, call 914-763-9389 or visit the group's web site at www.westchesteroratorio.org Contact: Dean Travalino at 914-763-5393