Sussex County Oratorio Annual Winter Concert

NEWTON — The Sussex County Oratorio Society will perform its annual winter concert, “Emmanuel: God With Us,” accompanied by an eight-piece brass and percussion ensemble 3:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 5 in the First United Methodist Church of Newton.

The program will include “O Thou That Tellest Good Tidings to Zion” and “For Unto Us A Child is Born,” from Messiah by G F Handel; “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing: a Concertato,” written by Mendelssohn with an arrangement by Patrick Liebergen; Anton Bruckner’s “Virga Jesse floruit” and “A Festival For Christmas,” a group of familiar carols in a new arrangement by Doug Helvering, a professor at the Westminster Choir College in Princeton. There will also be a sing-along with some of the season’s favorite carols.

Al Kopacka has directed the Oratorio Society for more than 15 years. Under his direction the group has grown into one of the county’s top choral organizations with more than 50 members from Sussex County and the surrounding area. The Oratorio Society most recently sang choral parts of several opera arias with the Baroque Orchestra of New Jersey at the College of St. Elizabeth in Convent Station.

The First United Methodist Church of Newton is located at 111 Ryerson Avenue (past Newton High School). Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for seniors and students. Light refreshments will be available following the concert. The Church is wheelchair accessible and offers ample parking. In the event of inclement weather, the concert will be held Jan. 12.