2010
The Rochester Oratorio Society sings Handel’s Messiah under Christopher Seaman in his final performance of the work as music director of the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra.
ROS also gives its first-ever performances of Handel’s Dettingen Te Deum and the Bach Cantata #80.
2008
ROS competes in the 9th International Cultural Festival, part of the pre-Olympic cultural events, with performances in Beijing and Shanghai, China.
Eric Townell forms Resonanz, a flexible, innovative, and high-quality choral ensemble of about 40 voices, to represent the larger chorus in fundraising and outreach settings.
2007
The Rochester Oratorio Society launches Rochester International Vocal Competition, an innovative, annual competition program for new and rising opera talent across the country.
ROS joins the RPO to perform Ralph Vaughan Williams’ A Sea Symphony, Christopher Seaman conducts.
2006
ROS celebrates its 60th Anniversary and also bids farewell to its retiring leader Roger Wilhelm with the premiere of a work commissioned from composer and conductor Jeff Tyzik, Psalm 150.
The Rochester Oratorio Society welcomes Eric Townell as its new Music Director and Conductor. The first concert under Townell’s direction, “Majestic Sonorities” presents music by Pablo Casals, Eric Whitacre, Emma Lou Diemer, as well as Nathaniel Dett’s sublime Ave Maria and The Peaceable Kingdom by Randall Thompson.
2005
ROS enjoys a music exchange with Fanshawe Chorus London of London, Ontario, Canada, with performances in both chorus’ host cities.
2003
ROS welcomes guest conductor Glenn McClure and the Pan Loco Steel Band to perform McClure’s composition, St. Francis in the Americas: A Caribbean Mass.
2002
The Rochester Oratorio Society is the western NY sponsor for the “The Rolling Requiem” project. Over 300 singers, representing 30 area choirs, joined with choruses around the world to perform Mozart’s Requiem in memory and honor of those who perished in the September 11th, 2001 attacks.
2001
The Rochester Oratorio Society explores its silly side with a “PDQ Bach” concert, which features Oedipus Tex, Canine Cantata, and Missa Hilarius.
2000
The ROS takes a Summer Concert Tour, with performances in Rome and Florence, Italy. The program includes Vierne’s Solemn Mass and works by American composers Cary Ratcliff, Howard Hanson, and Samuel Adler.
