The Oratorio Society of Queens Celebrates 90th Anniversary, Sings Beethoven Symphony No. 9 Choral Finale (“Ode to Joy”)
Sunday, May 21, 2017, 4:00 pm
Queensborough Performing Arts Center
222-05 56th Avenue
Bayside, NY 11364
The Oratorio Society of Queens is proud to celebrate its 90th Anniversary this year, honoring this milestone with choral and orchestral masterpieces and classics of Americana and folk songs adored the world over! OSQ will perform with its 125-plus member chorus under the direction of Maestro David Close with featured soloists Geraldine McMillian, soprano; Paula Jean Rocheleau, soprano; Ginger Inabinet, mezzo-soprano; John Easterlin, tenor; Vaughn Fritts, bass-baritone; Jerry Korobow, guest artist. Sung by the Oratorio Society of Queens (OSQ) and its own orchestra, the Orchestral Arts Ensemble of Queens, conducted by Maestro David Close on Sunday, May 21, 2017 at 4:00 pm in the Queensborough Performing Arts Center (QPAC), Bayside, New York.
The first half of the program reverberates with energy and features works by three of music’s greatest composers, “Exsultate, Jubilate” by Mozart, “Fanfare for the Common Man” by Copland and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 Choral Finale (“Ode to Joy”). These musical celebrations of universal camaraderie travel from grief to joy, struggle to harmony, and highlight the enduring vivacity of the human spirit.
The program continues with classics of Americana and folk music that pay homage to our Armed Forces and history of brotherhood. Woody Guthrie’s “This Land is Your Land” endures to this day for the way it perfectly captures the cultural and physical landscape of America. Audiences will thrill at the stunning arrangement of “Come Thou Fount” by Mack Wilberg. The chorus and orchestra invigorate the concert hall with the great anthem to freedom and justice, “Battle Hymn of the Republic,” arranged by Peter Wilhousky.
Queensborough Performing Arts Center is located in Queensborough Community College at 222-05 56th Avenue, Bayside, NY – on 56th Avenue one block east of Springfield Boulevard in Bayside. Parking is free on the main lot next to the theater, which offers easy-access entry.
Ticket prices are $35 general admission, $30 seniors and students with ID; $10 children, 12 and under, accompanied by an adult. Day of performance tickets, $40. For additional information, please call the Oratorio Society of Queens at 718.279.3006 or visit www.QueensOratorio.org
David Close, conductor
Geraldine McMillian, soprano
Paula Jean Rocheleau, soprano
Ginger Inabinet, mezzo-soprano
John Easterlin, tenor
Vaughn Fritts, bass-baritone
Jerry Korobow, guest artist
Orchestral Arts Ensemble of Queens
Rejoice in hearing the Choral Finale of Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9, the uplifting and celebratory “Ode to Joy” sung live by the Oratorio Society of Queens and its own orchestra, the Orchestral Arts Ensemble of Queens, conducted by Maestro David Close.
MOZART Exsultate, Jubilate [K. 165]
COPLAND Fanfare for the Common Man
BEETHOVEN Symphony No. 9 Choral Finale (“Ode to Joy”)
BIZET Au fond du temple saint from The Pearl Fishers
SCHEER American Anthem
LOWDEN arr.Armed Forces Salute
BERLIN, RINGWALD arr.Give Me Your Tired, Your Poor
GUTHRIE This Land is Your Land
WILBERG arr. Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing
WILHOUSKY arr.Battle Hymn of the Republic
