About the Oratorio Society
     of Charlottesville-Albemarle

The Oratorio Society of Charlottesville-Albemarle is a choral ensemble based in Charlottesville, Virginia. It was founded in 1967 for the purpose of presenting major choral works with orchestra and professional soloists to the Charlottesville-Albemarle community. Under the guidance of a Board of Directors and several music directors, we have been faithful to that purpose for more than 40 years. Chorus members, numbering 80-100, are of all ages (college and beyond) and enjoy singing good music.

Regular performances include a Fall family concert, a Christmas performance with chamber orchestra in December, a major choral work performed in the Spring, and a May concert.  This year we will perform at several venues, including First Presbyterian Church on Park Street, the Paramount Theater in downtown Charlottesville and in The Dickinson Fine and Performing Arts Center at Piedmont Virginia Community College.

Membership in The Oratorio Society is by audition only. Audition times are advertised in the late summer and may also be found by calling the Society's telephone number (434-295-4385). Additional auditions are generally scheduled shortly after each performance as we begin to prepare for the next concert. Rehearsals are on Monday evenings at the Municipal Fine Arts Center with additional rehearsals scheduled before each concert.

The Oratorio Society is a collection of people who really love to make beautiful music. But we are more than that.  In the words of our Director, "We are about the difference we make in and on our community because of the sacrifices we make to bring a different voice to the cultural landscape and fabric of our lives ... because music, and its intrinsic value, is a part of the very core of existence."

Please see our complete repertoire of works performed.