The Oratorio Society of New Jersey (OSNJ), under the direction of Dr Sándor Szabó, will begin rehearsals for their 2026-27 season on Tuesday, September 1, at Union Congregational Church in Montclair, and is looking for singers in all vocal parts to join the choir. For the fall season, OSNJ will present Felix Mendelssohn’s monumental Elijah. The concert will take place on Saturday, November 14th, in Montclair.
Choral singers have loved performing Mendelssohn’s Elijah since its premiere in 1846 in Birmingham, England. According to writer Steph Martin, “For many conductors, performers and listeners, it is the perfect oratorio, combining all the dramatic musical elements required to bring this colourful story to life.” The musicologist R. Larry Todd, in his biography of Mendelssohn, wrote that Elijah, “was the crowning achievement of Felix’s career.”
For the spring season, OSNJ will be performing Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s Vesperae Solennes de Confessore and Sunrise Mass, by contemporary Norwegian composer Olja Gjeilo, date to be announced.
OSNJ welcomes new singers in all vocal parts – soprano, alto, tenor, and bass. No auditions are required, but previous experience singing choral music and the ability to read music are preferred. Rehearsals begin on Tuesday, September 1, at Union Congregational Church, 176 Cooper Avenue, Montclair, from 7:30pm – 10:00pm. Subsequent rehearsals will be every Tuesday from 8:00 – 10:00 pm up through the concert week. Additional information on membership and performances can be found at www.oratoriosocietynj.org or www.facebook.com/oratoriosocietyofnj/