Rochester Oratorio Society

It's a pleasure to support the choral arts in Rochester by listening to inspired singing in the Classical Idol Competition, an annual fundraiser for the Rochester Oratorio Society.  I've been honored to served as the emcee for several years. This year I took a few pictures from the stage.  Enjoy!

First of all, please allow me to say thank you to all the listeners who sent in cards and notes over the holidays.  Getting up day after day in the winter is a terrific challenge, and your support and enthusiasm for fantastic music on the radio is a constant source of inspiration!

Farewell 2012!  From my vantage point as morning host and arts journalist at WXXI, it’s been a dramatic year for classical musicians in Rochester, New York.  First of all,

Thank you to Luna Galassini for filling in for me over my recent vacation.  I spent time with friends in Philadelphia, Princeton, and Bristol Harbor, and then had a week to get ready for winter, putting the garden to bed and sorting through a big basket of mittens and hats which now sits by the front door.  And rest!  I slept in every day!  Getting enough rest and being healthy is very important to me, and it was especially vital given the dramatic week that followed with the unexpected announcement that the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra wished to end its four-year contract with Music Director Arild Remmereit two years early. WXXI-FM listeners have expressed shock, anger, sadness, and hope that classical music lovers will work through this situation together to support our city’s great orchestra.  Our newsroom will keep you updated on the situation.

You’d think things would slow down a bit during the hot summer months.  But across Western New York, classical musicians are busier than ever with rehearsals, concerts, “noncerts,” and workshops. 

I.  GLASS ART

You could own an original piece of visual art by composer Philip Glass.  He donated a 6” X 6” piece to the Rochester Contemporary Art Center, 137 East Avenue in Rochester.  The gallery’s director Blue Cease sent this picture of the back of the work:   

Thank you for checking in.  Here’s some of the latest Rochester music news, mostly about singing contests.

ROCHESTER'S 2012 CLASSICAL IDOL

This year’s Classical Idol competition sparked a little controversy. More on that later.  

The Rochester Oratorio Society announced a commission this week in celebration of the upcoming 150th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation and other milestones.  The ROS will commission composer Glenn McClure to write a piece including texts, instruments and musical resources from Ghana, West Africa, and Western New York.