The Westchester Oratorio Society begins rehearsals this Tuesday evening, September 7 at the Katonah United Methodist Church for its upcoming season which features a November 21 performance of Handel's Messiah in Mount Kisco with the acclaimed early music ensemble REBEL Baroque Orchestra.

The group's Conductor-Artistic Director Benjamin Niemczyk is looking forward to beginning work with the group's 65 amateur singers. "Rehearsals will be exciting and challenging because of the fast, Baroque pace we intend to follow for the concert," Mr. Niemczyk said, "and hopefully, a thrill for the audience," he added.

Mr. Niemczyk also expressed his excitement at collaborating again with REBEL (pronounced "Re-bel"), one of the most respected early music ensembles in the United States. In past years REBEL has performed the Messiah annually at Trinity Church in Manhattan under the direction of Owen Burdick in an event simulcast on WQXR.

Founded in 1997, the Westchester Oratorio Society continues to fulfill its mission of presenting extraordinary musical programming to local audiences in northern Westchester. In addition, the group has further distinguished itself through appearances including with the Brooklyn Philharmonic at Carnegie Hall, the Brooklyn Academy of Music and the Cathedral of St. Johns the Devine.

The society enlists competent volunteer singers from Westchester, Fairfield and Putnam counties as well as the New York metropolitan area. Voices in all categories are welcome, including those of high school and college age. An ability to read music or to learn a choral part aurally is required. Rehearsals are Tuesdays at 7:30 PM. The Katonah United Methodist Church is located at the intersection of Bedford/Woodsbridge Road and Edgemont Road in Katonah.