The Oratorio Society of New Jersey will open its 66th season with a “Choir Meet-Up” Tues. Sept. 4 at 7 pm at First Lutheran Church in Montclair. “We are excited to put out a wide welcome mat to singers in our area who may be interested in learning and performing some of the great choral works” said OSNJ President and Montclair resident Susan Ladov.
OSNJ has a history of not just fine performances, but also accessibility, as auditions are not required for membership. Music Director Sandor Szabo encourages singers with prior choir experience and an ability to read music to attend the Meet-Up and first rehearsal in September.
At the 7 pm Meet-Up, returning members of the choir will greet new and prospective members and introduce them to OSNJ’s 18-19 season and to Dr. Szabo, who will speak about the repertoire selections. The first rehearsal will be held from 8-10 pm; subsequent rehearsals will be on Tuesday evenings at 8 pm, with the exception of Mon., Sept. 17, to allow for observance of Yom Kippur.
On Sat., Nov. 17 at 8pm at the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Montclair, OSNJ will present “A Musical Thanksgiving Celebration,” featuring two major choral works that contain texts of praise and thanksgiving — Bach’s Cantata No. 79, “Gott der Herr ist Sonn und Schild” (Our God is Sun and Shield); and Mendelssohn’s “Lobgesang,” (Hymn of Praise). The concert will open with the Overture from Bach’s Orchestral Suite No. 1. OSNJ regularly performs at Immaculate Conception as a featured ensemble in the church’s “Music at Immaculate” concert series.
The fall/winter season continues with OSNJ’s annual December “Messiah Sing,” Tues., Dec. 4, 7:30 pm at St. James Episcopal Church in Upper Montclair. Audience members are invited to listen or sing along with choir members in Part I of Handel’s Messiah, and the “Hallelujah” Chorus from Part II.
OSNJ’s spring concert season will begin with the first rehearsal on Feb. 12; repertoire will be announced at a later date.
Further information about the 2018-19 season, and membership in the choir is available at www.oratoriosocietynj.org/