Oratorio Society of Queens

The Oratorio Society Of Queens
Oratorio Society of Queens logo
Background information
Origin	Flushing, Queens, New York, United States
Genres	Choral
Occupation(s)	Community Chorus
Years active	1927-present
Website	www.QueensOratorio.org
Members	Artistic Director & Conductor David Close Assistant Conductor Audrey Edelstein Assistant to the Conductor Barbara Podgurski

The Oratorio Society of Queens is a non-profit membership organization which performs the great choral masterpieces and is the oldest performing arts institution in the borough of Queens, New York City. David W. Close is the Artistic Director and Conductor.

Established in 1927 by Flushing residents who loved to sing, the Oratorio Society of Flushing competed with the prestigious Oratorio Society of New York, founded 54 years earlier. In 1985 the Society incorporated as the Oratorio Society of Queens (OSQ), covering members throughout the borough. Today the membership is borough-wide and even includes several Bronx and Nassau County residents.

OSQ is a charter member of both the Queens Council on the Arts and the Flushing Council on Culture & the Arts. Throughout its history, OSQ has been non-sectarian, and membership is open to anyone.

The Oratorio Society of Queens, originally known as the Oratorio Society of Flushing, was founded in 1927. The idea of a community-based mixed voice chorus, dedicated to sharing the aesthetic values oratorio music expresses, was conceived by Mrs. Edward Keefe. She was initially assisted by John W. Norton, organist and choirmaster of St. George's Episcopal Church; and Edward M. Franklin, a leading layman of the church.

The charter members were drawn from Flushing's several old, prominent families, but in keeping with the democratic spirit historically associated with Flushing, membership was open to all. Among other members was Bertha Parsons, the last owner-resident of John Bowne House before it was opened as a museum of early Flushing. On May 12, 1927 a chorus of 100 voices directed by John Norton performed Felix Mendelssohn's "Hymn of Praise" to critical acclaim before an audience of 900 at Flushing High School.

There would be carol singing at Flushing Hospital, after which the singers would sing at a founder's home and partake of a lovely party in the festively decorated house. Local merchants provided financial support and articles for door prizes at fundraising events. The Society was supported by member dues, subscribers, bake sales and fundraising dinners. Mrs. Maude Wilson was made an honorary member in the early 1930s because she contributed the entire proceeds of her Annual Party and Dahlia Flower Show to the Society. Fundraising was always a necessity even though concert accompaniment was originally by organ or piano.