Our Performances
Our 2023-2024 Concert Season
The Oratorio Society is pleased to announce our performance plans for the coming season. Bring your family and invite your friends!
December 16, 2023
2:30 & 7:30 p.m. at The Paramount Theater, 215 E. Main St., Charlottesville
Christmas at The Paramount
This holiday favorite on the Downtown Mall has become a community tradition in Charlottesville. This year’s program will featured Rutter’s Gloria as well as selections by other composers and popular holiday favorites accompanied by our Oratorio Society Orchestra. Purchase your tickets today: The Paramount website.
We are excited to be able to offer Livestream access again this year for the 7:30 p.m. performance. Link to purchase access: 2023 Livestream: Christmas at The Paramount
March 9, 2024
10:00 a.m. Workshop & 4:00 p.m. Concert at First Presbyterian Church, 500 Park St., Charlottesville
Together in Song: Music From The Theatre
Calling all singers! Community members are invited to participate in a masterclass with Music Director Michael Slon in the morning, and then join The Oratorio Society singers onstage for their performance in the afternoon. Featuring works from opera, operetta, and Broadway, this is a choral event not to be missed! Registration is now open!
This concert also raised money for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Virginia. Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Virginia offers a lineup of nationally recognized programs that address today’s most pressing youth issues. For 30 years, our core programs have engaged young people in activities with adults and peers, building our kids’ self-esteem and helping them reach their full potential. With locations in Albemarle, Charlottesville, Madison, and Orange, our Clubs now serve more than 2,000 kids annually.
May 10 & 12, 2024
Friday at 7:30 p.m. at St. Anne’s-Belfield Grisham Hall, 2132 Ivy Rd. & Sunday at 3:30 p.m. in Old Cabell Hall, UVA
Beethoven’s 9th at 200
Come hear the classic chords and celebratory sounds of Beethoven on the 200th anniversary (almost to the day) of the premiere of his 9th symphony, as well as a reboot of our spring 2020 program cancelled due to the pandemic. The program will feature a Beethoven overture, his Choral Fantasy, and the final movement of Symphony No. 9 with orchestra, guest soloists, and chorus.
Tickets for Friday May, 10 and the Livestream are now available on our website.
Tickets for Sunday, May 12 at Old Cabell Hall will be available soon through the UVA Box Office.
Available Online:
Verleih uns Frieden
Felix Mendelssohn
Recorded virtually during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Compiled and produced by Arts Laureate Recordings
“This small piece deserves to be world famous,” said Robert Schumann of his contemporary’s brief but undeniably beautiful setting of Martin Luther’s prayer for peace. Originally slated for performance on our March 2020 Together in Song, members of The Oratorio Society recorded this performance at home. We hope to sing it for you live, very soon!
Recorded and Produced during the 2020-21 season.
The World Called
Music by Adolphus Hailstork
Text by Rita Dove
Commissioned in celebration of our 50th Anniversary, this work stands as one of The Oratorio Society’s proudest moments. Hear the performance on YouTube, including an interview with the poet, Rita Dove, and Music Director Michael Slon.
Testimonial, by David Guinn
Produced July 2020
Christmas at the Paramount
Compiled from archival footage
All performances by The Oratorio Society of Virginia
Michael Slon, Music Director
Since we couldn’t hold our annual holiday favorite in person this season, we compiled recordings of past performances to bring the joy of song to our community during our first, and hopefully final, Christmas season during the COVID-19 pandemic. While the season has passed, the music is still beautiful!
Photo credit: David Perry
Produced December 2020
“…generous and all together moving. Thank you, and your fine musicians and volunteers, for drawing together our community for an hour of wonder.”
— Former UVA president John Casteen