The Oratorio Society of Virginia will host its annual benefit event: “Together in Song,” a community choral workshop (10 a.m.) and concert (4 p.m.) on Saturday, March 14 at First Presbyterian Church (500 Park St., Charlottesville). Community singers register and participate in the morning workshop, where they will join The Oratorio Society chorus in rehearsing pieces for the 4 p.m. concert, “Songs of Democracy.” Presented in partnership with VA250 and America250, the program features patriotic favorites including “America the Beautiful” and “Battle Hymn of the Republic,” works by American composers Leonard Bernstein and Rosephanye Powell, and Irving Berlin’s “Give me your tired, your poor” and Howard Hansen’s stirring “Song of Democracy.” The Oratorio Society’s partner youth choir, Voces Laetae, under the direction of Will Cooke, will join the chorus for a portion of the program, along with community singers from the morning choral workshop.
The concert is a benefit event for Emergency Food Network of Charlottesville. In keeping with the mission of The Oratorio Society of Virginia to engage and serve the broader community through meaningful and accessible artistic experiences, The Oratorio Society partners annually with a local nonprofit whose work addresses pressing community needs. Emergency Food Network’s commitment to alleviating food insecurity and supporting the dignity and well-being of individuals and families across Central Virginia reflects The Oratorio Society’s core values of community engagement, inclusivity, relevance, and responsible stewardship. A portion of ticket sales, along with donations collected at the event, will directly benefit Emergency Food Network of Charlottesville.
“We look forward to celebrating America250 with this special program, which not only features American composers, but also ties in to themes from FDR’s 1941 “Four Freedoms Speech” – including freedom of speech, and freedom from want. We hope you’ll join us for this music, and also help support the Emergency Food Network.” - Michael Slon, Music Director
For more information or to purchase tickets to “Together in Song – Songs of Democracy” visit: www.oratoriosociety.org
For over 55 years, The Oratorio Society of Virginia has offered high quality, engaging concerts for the cultural enrichment, creative inspiration, and education of its home community of Charlottesville and the surrounding region. From classical to contemporary this all-volunteer chorus has amassed an impressive repertoire over its five decades of performances, including works by Bach, Bernstein, Brahms, Hailstork, Haydn, Mozart, Rutter, Verdi, and many more. Collaborative partners include Charlottesville Opera, the UVA University Singers, Charlottesville Symphony, and Charlottesville Ballet.
Our 58th Season Presenting Sponsor is the Joseph and Robert Cornell Memorial Foundation. Additional funding is provided by the Virginia Commission for the Arts, and the Bama Works Fund of the Dave Matthews Band. NBC29 is our corporate season sponsor, and our media sponsors are WVTF/Radio IQ and WTJU of the University of Virginia.
This is an Affiliated Event presented by The Oratorio Society of Virginia.
If you have questions, please contact: Christine Fairfield, Executive Director, execdir@oratoriosociety.org