WAYNE, PA — The Wayne Oratorio Society is presenting three concerts of traditional and new works for its 2022-23 season at the Wayne Presbyterian Church, 125 East Lancaster Avenue, Wayne, PA. The season opens on November 5 and 6 with Requiem, by Gabriel Fauré, and Dan Forrest’s Jubilate Deo.
Concerts, performed at 7:30 PM in the church’s Sanctuary, are led by John Grecia, Director of the Wayne Oratorio Society, conducting the 100 singers, a 45-piece orchestra, and professional soloists. The accompanist for WOS is Ting Ting Wong.
The concert is open to the public, with a free-will offering. Doors open at 6:30 PM. Masks are optional.
Handel’s Messiah will be presented on Dec. 3 and 4. The Bach Mass in B Minor will be performed on April 22 and 23, 2023.
Leading off the new season is the Requiem by Gabriel Fauré: Fauré, one of the foremost French composers of his generation whose musical style influenced many twentieth-century composers. He composed his Requiem in D minor, Op. 48, between 1887 and 1890. It contains what is considered one of his most beautiful compositions, with lyrical melodies described as “giving the Requiem a transcendent beauty.”
Dan Forrest’s Jubilate Deo, written in 2016, brings to life the global aspect of Psalm 10’s text by setting it in seven different languages and drawing from a wide spectrum of musical influences. Each movement combines characteristics of its language group’s musical culture. Dr. Forrest’s works have become well-established in the repertoire of choirs around the world.
“Both works in the program carry the eternal message of living as one humanity, moving from diversity into oneness as people everywhere,” Grecia says. Soloists for the performance are Melanie Sarakatsannis, soprano; David Price, tenor; Kerry Ann Erickson-Felps; contralto, and Mark Hightower, bass.
Grecia welcomes new members to consider joining the nationally recognized chorus, now approaching its seventy-fifth year. “We have places for all voice parts to help us produce the distinctive programs that have established WOS as an outstanding musical organization,” Grecia says. Contact John Grecia to learn more about becoming a member of this unique singing organization at jgrecia@wayne.org.
Parking, and travel via SEPTA, or by car
Wayne Presbyterian Church is located in downtown Wayne at 125 East Lancaster Avenue, at the northeast corner of Lancaster and North Wayne Avenues. The church is adjacent to the SEPTA Wayne station stop, with free parking in the surrounding area. There is an entrance to the church from the parking area, located behind the church, off North Wayne Avenue, or from the front church entrance on Lancaster Avenue.
For further information and to hear previous performances by the Wayne Oratorio Society, visit www.waynepres.org, https://www.youtube.com/c/WaynePresbyterianChurch, or https://wayneoratoriosociety.bandcamp.com/.
For the latest news on everything happening in Chester County and the surrounding area, be sure to follow MyChesCo on Google News and MSN.