Westchester Oratorio Society History
Appointed this past summer, David Štech became WOS’s third artistic director since its founding in 1997 when a few individuals in South Salem joined with their neighbor, the noted choral conductor Harold Rosenbaum, to form a choral group that would create a high quality musical experience for audiences and singers in Northern Westchester and surrounding areas. Since its inception, WOS has made a significant contribution to the musical fabric of the county, performing choral masterworks primarily of the 18th to 20th centuries accompanied by professional soloists and orchestras.
Benjamin Niemczyk was appointed artistic director in 2007. That year he conducted the Westchester premiere of James Bassi’s Wexford Carol. Other performances have included Handel’s Dixit Dominus (with REBEL Baroque Orchestra) and Anthony Newman’s Requiem, as well as works by Beethoven, Berlioz, Bruckner, Tavener, and Mendelssohn. In November 2010, WOS gave a widely-praised presentation of Handel’s Messiah (again with REBEL) to a sold-out crowd. The 2011–12 season began with a moving performance of Mozart’s Requiem with chamber orchestra, and continued in March with WOS’s first chamber music concert, which included a world premiere by local composer John Velonis. A stirring performance of Mendelssohn’s Elijah at Temple Beth El of Northern Westchester concluded the season. WOS began its 16th season with powerful performances of Schoenberg’s A Survivor from Warsaw and Brahms’s Ein Deutsches Requiem at Temple Shaaray Tefila in Bedford. Highlighting the season was a festive gala featuring renowned violinist Ani Kavafian, and the Robert C. McDonald Memorial Concert which featured Beethoven’s Choral Fantasy performed with the incomparable Hélène Grimaud.
Other highlights include a May 2014 performance with REBEL featuring Vivaldi’s Gloria and a November 2014 performance of Bach’s Christmas Oratorio with James Kennerley at the Presbyterian Church of Mount Kisco and Mozart’s Requiem with the WOS Festival Orchestra at the South Salem Presbyterian Church (May, 2015). 2017 was highlighted with a performance of Bach’s St. John Passion in South Salem with WOS Baroque Ensemble, and in December by a performance of the Messiah. The group’s concert on May, 2018 at Bedford Presbyterian Church featured renowned composer and organist Anthony Newman performing Bach’s Cantata No.29 and his own, original choral works and Mr. Niemczyk conducting the Mozart Requiem.
WOS began the 2018-2019 season on November 17 with a concert entitled, “An Evening with Bach” at the South Salem Presbyterian Church, accompanied by WOS’s Baroque Ensemble and soloists Miriam Frances Stoner, soprano, Mark Hanke, tenor, and Joseph Rodriquez, bass. December highlights included a “Scratch” Messiah (sing-along) at St. Luke’s Church in Somers and a holiday appearance by WOS’s chamber chorus at Muscoot Farm. The spring featured a performance of Hayden’s Creation in German (“Die Schöpfung”) at the Chappaqua Performing Arts Center on May 5, 2019, with soloists Catherine Steinbrink, Soprano, Jeffrey Strand, Tenor and David Salsbery Fry, Bass, accompanied by the WOS Festival Orchestra made possible with a grant from the Westchester Community Foundation.
Having been voted “Best Amateur Chorus in Westchester” by Westchester Magazine, WOS has also distinguished itself in guest appearances at Carnegie Hall with the Brooklyn Philharmonic (Verdi’s Requiem), the Brooklyn Academy of Music (Messiaen’s opera, St. Francis of Assisi premiere), and the Cathedral of St. John the Divine.
Among the group’s most notable post-Covid performances was its 25th anniversary concert in memory of Don Harder, entitled “Conqu’ring,” on April 23, 2023 featuring works by Bach, Mozart, and Handel. WOS gave its final performance under the baton of Mr. Niemczyk on May 4, 2024. entitled “Glorious Spring” featuring three of his favorite works, Brahms Liebeslieder Waltzes, Op. 52, Brahms Schicksalslied, Op. 54 and Mozart, Mass in C Minor, with Francesca Federico, soprano, Christine Browne-Munz, mezzo soprano, Blake Friedman, tenor and Harrison Hintzsche, bass, and the WOS Festival Orchestra.
We are excited to continue our journey with David Štech as WOS continues to enhance the musical landscape in the Northern Westchester area.