Consider it a battle of the bands.
The Oratorio Society of Queens, which was founded in 1927, offers its annual Spring Concert at Queensborough Performing Arts Center in Bayside on Sunday, May 19, at 4 pm.
A bit earlier, the Queens College Choral Society, which was founded in 1941, presents its annual Spring Concert at LeFrak Concert Hall in Flushing on Saturday, May 18, at 8 pm.
OSQ
The OSQ concert begins with Gabriel Fauré’s “Requiem” and “Cantique de Jean Racine.” The second half is dedicated to pieces written by — or popularized by — artists with Queens ties, including Aaron Copland, Louis Armstrong, and Rodgers & Hammerstein. In Young Lee, a soprano, and Nicholas Provenzale, a baritone, do solos.
It’s the beginning of a new era. David Close joined OSQ as an accompanist in 1968. Two years later, he became the conductor, a job he held until last year. (That’s more than half a century!) This is OSQ’s first Spring Concert with new Artistic Director and Conductor Jin Byun, who has Doctorate in Musical Arts. He conducted various groups at Queens College before becoming the Director of Music Performance and Faculty in Choral and Orchestral Conducting at Union College.
General admission is $40, but seniors (62+) and students with ID only pay $35. Children (12 and under) can attend for $10.
QPAC has a recently renovated, 875-seat proscenium theater. It’s located on Queensborough Community College’s campus with an entrance at 222-05 56th Ave. It’s not near many public transportation options, but a large parking lot is nearby.
QCCS
QCCS’s 83rd annual Spring Concert features Mozart’s “Requiem” with a full orchestra, soloists, and choir.
Tickets cost $25.
QCCS is a community-, faculty- and student-based oratorio society affiliated with the Aaron Copland School of Music.
LeFrak Concert Hall is located on Queens College’s campus with an entrance at 153-49 Reeves Ave. The venue has 489 seats.
