Sussex oratorio society will open fall season

Newton — The Sussex County Oratorio Society will begin its fall season on Monday, Sept. 14, at Christ Episcopal Church, on Main Street in Newton. Rehearsals are held each Monday from 7:45 to 9:45 p.m. with voice placement for new members at 7:15 p.m. on Sept. 14 and 21. All who love to sing are welcome to join the group. The season will culminate in a winter concert slated for Jan. 10, 2010 entitled “Holiday with Handbells” to be performed with the Jubilee Ringers of Chester. Founded in 1952, the oratorio society is the oldest community choral group in the county and has a long history as a non-profit organization dedicated to providing quality choral music programs in Sussex County. Oratorio members hail from all walks of life with diverse musical backgrounds, both amateur and professional. Director Al Kopacka received his B.M.E. from Shenandoah Conservatory in Winchester, Va. where he studied voice with Lloyd Robb. Active on the music scene for over 30 years in Morris, Warren, and Sussex Counties, he and his wife, Vicki, currently operate What in the World, a fair trade gift store located in Hackettstown. Rehearsal accompanist Joan Tracy of Cranberry Lake attended Hartt College of Music and earned her B.A. from the University of Hartford. In addition to her work with the oratorio society, Tracy is an alto and rehearsal accompanist for Harmonium, a choral group in Morris County, the Sussex County Youth and Prep Orchestras, and the Suzuki Strings. For more information, call Kopacka at 908-850-1179 or visit www.sussexoratorio.org.