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Community Corner

Westchester Oratorio Presents Handel's Messiah in South Salem

The Westchester Oratorio Society, Benjamin Niemczyk, Artistic Director, begins its 17th season with a performance of Handel's Messiah at the South Salem Presbyterian Church in the heart of the historic Hamlet of South Salem, NY.  The performance will feature organist, James Kennerley, accompanied by an ensemble of the society's professional orchestra.  Soloists are Jane Brendler Buchi, Soprano; Elizabeth Thorne, Alto; Christopher Ellmann, Tenor; and Masami Morimoto, Baritone.  

Hailed as “a great organist” with “phenomenal technique and sheer musicality” by Bloomberg News, and praised as a tenor by New Yorker critic Alex Ross, James Kennerley is a multi-faceted musician.   A native of the United Kingdom, Mr. Kennerley was educated at Harrow School and Cambridge University, where he was Organ Scholar at Jesus College. He was then appointed Organ Scholar of Saint Paul’s Cathedral, London, where he performed in the presence of HM the Queen on several occasions.  Currently, he is Organist and Choirmaster at Saint Ignatius of Antioch Episcopal Church in New York City, where he directs the professional choir and coordinates the church’s extensive concert series. 

Mr. Niemczyk, who is now in his seventh season as Westchester Oratorio Society’s choral director, is a founding member of C4, the nation’s largest new-music choral ensemble. He is also co-founder and conductor of the New Westchester Symphony Orchestra, a community-based group, which rehearses at the Music Conservatory of Westchester.  The ensemble of instrumentalists for the South Salem performance comprises key members of the oratorio society’s professional orchestra, who are among the most talented young musicians in the New York City area.

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Founded in 1997, Westchester Oratorio Society’s mission is to bring high-quality performances of choral masterworks to northern Westchester audiences with professional soloists and orchestras, while providing a unique educational experience for the avocational singers that comprise the chorus.  The group rehearses on Tuesday evenings at the Katonah Village Library.  Preparations begin in January for a May 4, 2014, concert in South Salem that features Vivaldi’s Gloria performed with the highly acclaimed REBEL Baroque Orchestra on period instruments.  Those interested in joining for the spring can call 347-223-9303.

The group will give a second performance of Messiah on Saturday, December 7, 2013, 7:00 PM, at the Lutheran Church of the Resurrection, 15 South Bedford Road, Mount Kisco, NY 10549, again with Mr. Kennerley, accompanied by select members of the New Westchester Symphony Orchestra and with professional soloists.

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Tickets are $20 General, in advance, $25 at the Door and $40 Preferred, and are available online at the group's website www.Westchesteroratorio.org  or by telephone (914) 763-9389.

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