COMMUNITY EVENT • Together in Song - Songs of Democracy
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.
Adult Workshop Registration: $40 / $25 student + cost of music score(s) (Registration includes a ticket to the afternoon concert; Workshop participants will join The Oratorio Society chorus for the second half of the concert program.)
REGISTRATION IS FULL! If you wish to be added to the waitlist, please contact Christine Fairfield at 434-295-4385 or email execdir@oratoriosociety.org
Concert Tickets (General Admission): $20 / $10 student
The concert is a benefit event for the 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.”