Oratorio Society of New York
Professional services
UnclaimedA New York nonprofit membership choir known for large-scale oratorio performances, annual presentations of Handel's Messiah, premieres, and music education.
Last updated August 25, 2026
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Overview
The Oratorio Society of New York is a nonprofit membership organization devoted to the performance of choral music, particularly the large-scale works associated with the oratorio tradition. Founded in 1873 by German-American conductor Leopold Damrosch, it is described as the third-oldest musical organization in New York City. From its earliest years, the Society combined regular concert activity with an ambition to make major European choral repertoire accessible to New York audiences. The organization began rehearsals in March 1873 and gave its first concert on December 3 of that year. On Christmas night in 1874 it started an annual performance of Handel's Messiah, a tradition that has continued without interruption according to the Society's historical account. This recurring presentation became one of the institution's defining offerings, while its wider repertoire has included works by Handel, Bach, Brahms, Berlioz, Wagner, Tchaikovsky, Dvořák, Britten, Liszt, Schütz, Schubert, Debussy, Elgar, Saint-Saëns, and other major composers. The Society has played an important role in New York's musical infrastructure. Andrew Carnegie joined its board in 1884 and became president in 1888, serving in that role until 1919. Carnegie subsequently supported the creation of a hall suitable for choral music and engaged architect William Tuthill to design the building that opened in 1891 as Music Hall and is now Carnegie Hall. The Society participated in the hall's early history and later helped extend the reach of choral performance through radio: in April 1923 it joined the experimental station WEAF for what is described as the first choral concert broadcast from Carnegie Hall. Its historical significance also rests on the number of important works it introduced or helped establish for American audiences. These include the United States premiere of Brahms's A German Requiem in 1877, Berlioz's Roméo et Juliette in 1882, a full-concert production of Wagner's Parsifal at the Metropolitan Opera House in 1886, Tchaikovsky's Legend and Pater noster in 1891, Eugene Onegin in 1908, the version of The Star-Spangled Banner that later became standard in 1917, Bach's Mass in B Minor in 1927, Dvořák's Saint Ludmila in 1993, Britten's The World of the Spirit in 1998, and Robert? No; Filas's Song of Solomon in 2012. The Society has also commissioned or presented newer choral works, maintaining a role in contemporary as well as historical repertoire. Beyond concerts, the Society operates educational and professional-development programs. It established an international oratorio solo competition in 1977, described as the only significant competition dedicated specifically to oratorio solos. In 2006 the competition was renamed the Lyndon Woodside Oratorio-Solo Competition in honor of the former music director. The Society's education work provides New York City high-school students with classroom instruction and free concert tickets, and it contributes tickets to the High 5 Tickets to the Arts program. It also helped establish the New York Choral Consortium in 2010, a metropolitan-area network of professional and amateur choral organizations. The organization has toured extensively outside the United States. Its European debut took place in Munich in 1982, followed by performances in Europe, Asia, and Latin America. Documented later engagements include concerts in German cities in 2015 and a 2017 performance at Teatro Solís in Montevideo, Uruguay. Kent Tritle became the Society's eleventh music director in January 2006, succeeding Lyndon Woodside. The Society remains an active New York choral institution whose identity is based on membership singing, orchestral-scale repertoire, educational outreach, international touring, and a long connection with Carnegie Hall.
History
The Oratorio Society of New York was founded in 1873 by conductor Leopold Damrosch. Accounts of the Society's origins credit several possible influences, including Anton Rubinstein, Marie Reno, Elkan and Bertha Naumburg, and unnamed women who wanted New York to have a singing society comparable to those they had encountered in Germany. Bertha Naumburg is traditionally associated with suggesting the organization's name. Rehearsals began in March 1873, and the first concert took place on December 3. The Society's annual Handel's Messiah tradition began on Christmas night in 1874 and has continued as an unbroken feature of its programming. After Leopold Damrosch's death, his son Walter Damrosch became conductor in 1885. Under successive musical leadership, the organization developed a reputation for presenting major choral works and important American introductions. Its documented premieres and first performances include Brahms's A German Requiem in 1877, Berlioz's Roméo et Juliette in 1882, Wagner's Parsifal in a full concert production at the Metropolitan Opera House in 1886, Tchaikovsky's Legend and Pater noster in 1891, Tchaikovsky's Eugene Onegin in 1908, a version of The Star-Spangled Banner that became standard in 1917, Bach's Mass in B Minor in 1927, Dvořák's Saint Ludmila in 1993, Britten's The World of the Spirit in 1998, and Filas's Song of Solomon in 2012. The Society was closely connected to the creation of Carnegie Hall. Andrew Carnegie joined its board in 1884 and became president in 1888, holding the position through 1919. Carnegie supported a fund for a hall designed specifically to accommodate choral music and hired architect William Tuthill. The resulting Music Hall opened in May 1891 after a five-day festival and was later renamed Carnegie Hall. The Society's institutional history therefore intersects with one of New York's most important concert venues. The organization also participated in the early history of broadcast music. In April 1923 it collaborated with WEAF, an experimental radio station, on what is identified as the first choral concert broadcast from Carnegie Hall. This event extended the Society's audience beyond the concert hall at a time when radio was still developing as a cultural medium. In the second half of the twentieth century and into the twenty-first, the Society expanded its educational, competitive, and international activities. It inaugurated an international oratorio solo competition in 1977. The competition was renamed the Lyndon Woodside Oratorio-Solo Competition in 2006 in recognition of the former music director. Its education program provides classroom instruction and free concert tickets to New York City high-school students, while its participation in High 5 Tickets to the Arts provides additional access for teenagers. In 2010 the Society helped found the New York Choral Consortium, a network representing professional and avocational choral organizations in the metropolitan area. The Society's international touring began in Europe with a 1982 appearance in Munich. Later tours and engagements reached Europe, Asia, and Latin America, including performances in German cities in 2015 and at Teatro Solís in Montevideo in 2017. Its honors include the Handel Medallion, awarded on its centenary in 1973, recognition from New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani at its 125th-anniversary concert in 1998, a UNESCO Commemorative Medal and Cocos Island World Natural Heritage Site Award in 2003 for benefit concerts in Costa Rica, and a certificate from the St. Petersburg Submariners Club in 2004. Kent Tritle was appointed the Society's eleventh music director in January 2006, succeeding Lyndon Woodside. The Society continues as a nonprofit membership choir centered on oratorio and other major choral repertoire, while maintaining educational outreach, competitions, premieres, touring, and its long-running Messiah presentation.
- 2010
New York Choral Consortium founded
[1]The Society helped establish a consortium for professional and avocational choral organizations in the New York metropolitan area.
- 2006
Kent Tritle appointed music director
[1]Kent Tritle became the Society's eleventh music director, succeeding Lyndon Woodside.
- 1982
European touring begins
[1]The Society made its European debut in Munich.
- 1977
Oratorio solo competition established
[1]The Society inaugurated an international competition devoted to oratorio solo singing.
- 1973
Handel Medallion awarded
[1]The Society received the Handel Medallion for its contribution to New York's musical life on its centenary.
- 1923
Early Carnegie Hall radio broadcast
[1]The Society collaborated with WEAF on the first choral concert broadcast from Carnegie Hall.
- 1891
Carnegie Hall opens
[1]The Music Hall supported by Andrew Carnegie opened after a five-day festival and later became Carnegie Hall.
- 1885
Walter Damrosch becomes conductor
[1]Walter Damrosch succeeded his father, Leopold Damrosch, as conductor after Leopold's death.
- 1874
Annual Messiah tradition begins
[1]The Society began its annual Christmas-night performance of Handel's Messiah.
- 1873
Society founded and first concert presented
[1]Leopold Damrosch founded the Society; rehearsals began in March and the first concert was given on December 3.
Products and positioning
Classical choral music organization specializing in oratorio performance, historically significant premieres, music education, and large-scale concert presentation.
Annual choral concert · 1874
Handel's Messiah performances
The Society's annual Christmas-season performances of Handel's Messiah began in 1874 and form its longest-running recurring offering. The tradition reflects the organization's central focus on large-scale choral repertoire and provides a regular point of connection with New York audiences.
Choral performance · 1873
Oratorio and large-scale choral concerts
The Society presents major works for choir, soloists, and orchestra, ranging from canonical oratorios and masses to newer choral compositions. Its historical repertory includes works by Handel, Bach, Brahms, Berlioz, Wagner, Tchaikovsky, Dvořák, Britten, Liszt, Schütz, Schubert, Debussy, Elgar, Saint-Saëns, and other composers.
Vocal competition · 1977
Lyndon Woodside Oratorio-Solo Competition
Established in 1977, this international competition focuses specifically on oratorio solo performance. It was renamed in 2006 for former music director Lyndon Woodside and is described in the Society's history as the only significant competition dedicated to oratorio solos.
Music education
Education and student access programs
The Society's education activities provide New York City high-school students with classroom instruction and free tickets to concerts. It also contributes tickets to High 5 Tickets to the Arts, extending access to teenagers.
Marketing campaigns
- 2010New York Choral Consortium
New York metropolitan area
The Society helped create a member network linking professional and avocational choral groups.
Outcome. The consortium was described as comprising 65 choral organizations.
- 2003Costa Rica benefit concert series
Costa Rica
The Society presented a series of benefit concerts in Costa Rica.
Outcome. The activity was recognized with a UNESCO Commemorative Medal and the Cocos Island World Natural Heritage Site Award.
Brand decisions
2006
Appointment of Kent Tritle as music directorOtherBackground
Lyndon Woodside had served as the Society's preceding music director.
Action taken
The Society appointed Kent Tritle as its eleventh music director and renamed its oratorio solo competition for Woodside.
Aftermath
Tritle remained identified as the Society's music director in the available reference material.
Sources2 sources
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