The health and safety of our membership is our utmost priority. The ROS Health and Safety Committee will continually monitor COVID information and guidelines from reliable sources including: the CDC, the NYS Health Department, and the Monroe County Health Department, and will make adjustments to ROS COVID policies as needed.

ROS members are strongly encouraged to be conscientious about following all cdc.gov Covid prevention measures, to ensure the health and safety of us all. The CDC recommends that people remain up to date with their vaccines, which includes booster doses at regular time points. A new booster shot should become available in the Fall.

If you feel sick with possible symptoms of COVID-19:

• Don’t come to an ROS chorus rehearsal or performance
• Talk to a healthcare provider.
• Get tested for COVID-19.

If you test positive or if you know you have had a significant exposure to covid, follow the guidelines at cdc.gov/coronavirus for when and how (e.g. masked or unmasked) you can safely return to large group activities such as ROS chorus rehearsals/performances.

Our first ROS symphonic chorus performance will be on:

November 1, 2024 at 7:30 P.M.,

Hochstein Performance Hall, 50 Plymouth Avenue North, Rochester 14614

Featuring the SUNY Geneseo Festival Singers, the Rochester Oratorio Society Chorus and Orchestra

1. Glenn McClure: Choral Suite from “Promised Land: An Adirondack Folk Opera”
2. Randall Thompson: “The Testament of Freedom”
3. Aaron Copland: “The Promise of Living,” from The Tender Land

Our Spring concert is on:

March 14, 2025, at 7:30 P.M.,

Asbury First United Methodist Church, 1040 East Avenue, Rochester, 14607

As a benefit for Action for a Better Community

1. William Grant Still: “A Psalm For The Living”
2. Martin Palmeri: “Misa a Buenos Aires (Misatango)”

Additional ROS Events planned in 2024-2025

September 27, 2024

Reprised Arts Connexions production of “Freedom Song: When Gospel Came to the Empire,” in a new partnership with the Rochester Institute of Technology Performing Arts Department.

December 12, 2024

The Rochester Oratorio Society sings with the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra:

“Take in the transcendent beauty of Handel’s Messiah live, where a heavenly chorus and majestic orchestration make for an unforgettable celebration. Join us for an enchanting evening filled with soaring arias and iconic melodies, including the rousing “Hallelujah” chorus, which will resonate with your all season long.” (RPO).

May 3, 2025

The Rochester International Vocal Competition returns – Stay tuned for more info!

May 8 and May 10, 2025

The Rochester Oratorio Society sings with the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra:

“The genius of Mozart revealed itself early, developed swiftly, and vanished all too soon. Mozart’s deeply affecting Requiem is, fittingly, his final musical testament – music he would never live to complete.” (RPO).

The ROS board has set membership fees for the 24-25 season at $100. We are not asking for a ticket commitment this year. Rather, we are asking all ROS members to help build our audience. Please encourage friends, family and co-workers to attend our wonderful choral programs. Our tickets are reasonably priced. A large and diverse audience provides much needed revenue for ROS, and is very important to funders when they consider ROS requests for grant support.

Please mark your calendar for these important upcoming dates:

Registration for the 24-25 season is open now.

Sept 3: In-person auditions, 5pm Wesley Hall at Asbury First United Methodist Church

Sept 9: First regular ROS rehearsal 7:00pm-9:30pm Fellowship Hall, Asbury First United Methodist Church

Sept 14: ROS fall double rehearsal and annual meeting, Asbury Fellowship Hall 10am – 2pm

Most rehearsals are on Monday evenings, 7:00-9:30 P.M. in Fellowship Hall,  Asbury First United Methodist Church, unless otherwise noted.

Yes, we want to hear from you! We are sure you will have questions about our 24-25 season and the ROS tour to France/Switzerland.

Please email ROS Registrar, Jo Ann Lampman at jlampman@rossings.org, or call the ROS office (585-473-2234) with your questions. Board members are always happy to talk with ROS singing members at Asbury, on ROS rehearsal days.

Fellowship Hall at Asbury First United Methodist Church has been remodeled. It has fully modern air handling equipment along with several lighting, technology and security improvements. The piano has been upgraded, too.