1050 East Avenue

Rochester, NY 14607

Rochester Oratorio Society

The Rochester Oratorio Society has been inspiring audiences and giving voice to the best qualities of our city and region through exceptional choral performance since 1945. An all volunteer chorus, the ROS performs classical and contemporary choral masterworks with orchestra at venues throughout our region. Long noted for annual performances of "Messiah", the ROS is also renowned for productions of great masterworks such as the Verdi Requiem and Carmina Burana in numerous appearances with the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra. Under the baton of Artistic Director, Eric Townell, the ROS has recently forged new pathways in choral music and community engagement with projects such as Partners in Freedom (2009), commemorating Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln; The Emancipation Oratorio, celebrating the 150th anniversary of the Proclamation; and Global Collaboration, a celebration of African and Latin American dance and music. The ROS annually fosters the careers and education of music teachers and their students through its Choral Fellows and Choral Scholars program, now in its seventh year. Our annual vocal competition, Classical Idol, now in its ninth year of success, identifies the best emerging vocal talent, bringing young artists from the world over to Rochester to perform before a live audience and compete for cash prizes. The ROS touring ensemble, RESONANZ, performs widely for civic functions and private and corporate events. The ROS has represented Rochester with performances in the great cultural venues of Europe, including Rochester's Sister City of Krakow, Poland, in 2014, at the Pre-Olympic ceremonies in China in 2008, and at the Chautauqua Institution in Summer, 2015. The Rochester Oratorio Society is a great cultural resource of our community, performing wonderful music to professional standards, and representing and showcasing Rochester to the world.

We focus on: Arts and Culture

Where we are: Genesee, Livingston, Monroe, Ontario, Orleans, Seneca, Wayne, Wyoming, Yates


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