I was gifted with the Oratorio Society's Christmas CD two Christmas' ago. The blend of voices is beautiful and the delivery of each masterpiece is so heartfelt, it can't help but touch your own heart. It's no wonder they've been around for 80 years, given the remarkable gift of music - there is no doubt it can add so much! Apparently its audience of admirers has found that out several generations over.
-Lori Der-Hacopian, Ashburn, Virginia

I just want to tell you how very much I am enjoying...HOLIDAY VOICES (Note: the new OSQ Holiday CD). I play it each day and it fills my home with lovely music and warm memories. I am particularly grateful for having the stirring rendition of MA'OZ TSUR (Rock of Ages). I first heard it sung here shortly after I came by a resident who was a professional singer. He sang it again last year for the lighting ceremony at Chanukah. He recently passed on and I thought I would not hear it again...but now I can, and as often as I like. Two other songs, NIGHT OF SILENCE and A CHRISTMAS CRADLE SONG are new to me, but they are sung so beautifully, they are now among my favorites. Everyone who has heard it joins me in agreeing that it is one of the best recordings of the year and again, I thank you.
-Jack

We attended the concert today - WOW! I cannot tell you my favorite part; I was enthralled from beginning to end. The beauty of the music nourished my soul! We now feel that David is a genius and look forward eagerly to December's concert. We thank all of you for your hard work so that the rest of us may hear and enjoy.
-Your new fans, Rhoda and Elie

I enjoyed the Oratorio concert immensely. What a thrill it must be to belong to an artistic organization like that! My congratulations on a great performance.
-Terezinha Fonsica

I feel so fortunate, blessed and grateful that I am a member of the Oratorio. When I am singing classical music, I feel I am in God's presence. I thank you for educating and inspiring me.
-Forever grateful, Carmen M. Hyman

I just wanted to let you know that we thoroughly enjoyed your concert of May 16. It was wonderful from start to finish. Part One of "Elijah" was riveting and the performance seemed to come straight from the heart...Having the text to guide us made all the difference. I would especially like to thank David for choosing "Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing" for inclusion in the program. Although Susan knew of this work from her early years in church service, it was entirely new to me. Hey, I don't often cry while listening to music (OK, sometimes at home with the finale of Mahler's 2nd), but I was totally choked up and felt the tears rolling during your performance. I just keeps building upwards! What a truly wonderful work. I am indebted to David for introducing it to me. We thoroughly enjoy your concerts and love the way David just gets the audience totally involved. Keep up the wonderful work!
-Marc and Susan Dralus

I am writing to you because of my pleasure at hearing your choral society ...and I wanted to compliment you and your group for a wonderful musical experience. I am not a casual music listener. With all humility and by way of supporting my comments, let me say that I play the piano, go frequently to NYC concerts and have studied classical music at length...Your group sang wonderfully well. The balance was carefully maintained while there was a surprisingly, for untrained singers, mellifluous tone throughout...The orchestral accompaniment was nothing short of amazing. I would like to especially note the clarinetist who enriched the entire quality of the ensemble's performance. The brass was also strong and vibrant...I hope you don't think all this too much hyperbole. Every word is honestly meant. It's difficult to give compliments when they require superlatives. Thank you for a most wonderful afternoon. My most sincere congratulations.
-Robert D. Martin, MD, Great Neck, NY

The memories linger on from the concert performed in Brentwood. Individual sisters and surrounding residents still speak of the quality of the music and the delightful way in which it was performed...Many of our senior neighbors from St. Anne's Gardens, a retirement community, joined us this year...They speak of the joy they felt that day and the extra Christmas gift your music was to them...What a wonderful treasure you are to the people of Queens! One comment stands out in my mind: "I thought I was watching Channel 13!" What a perfect line to reflect the high quality of the performance that matched the best that public television is now showing.
- Brother Stephen LaMendola, CSC, President, Holy Cross High School

The performance was fantastic. The singing was beautiful. The orchestra was wonderful.
-Florence Tse, Director, Port of Entry Program, Queensborough Community College

Warmest congratulations to each and every one of you for one of the finest concerts I've ever experienced. We came with great expectations, but your magnificent performance far exceeded anything we could have possibly imagined...You made it absolutely clear to your vast audience that here is no piece of music that you cannot master.
- Leon Phillips

About four years ago we discovered the Queens Oratorio and fell in love with it. The quality is excellent and can often compare to larger, more established philharmonic organizations. Outside the pleasure of listening, you have had a deep impact on our lives. Our two daughters (age 7 and 8) have always been involved in soccer, karate, and gym but were missing the artistic side. Since we started to go to your concerts, they have developed a love for music and are now playing piano. Music has and is helping them mature very nicely in a balanced way . . . Oratorio has definitely helped them toward music. Concerts are community pillars...In this day and age when peace of mind is too often a dream, it would be a great injustice to cut funds to an entity that brings peace and love to everyone's life and has an everlasting impact on young lives.
- Pierre, Laurence, Julie and Claire Bouchard

The seniors who attended the program returned with nothing but praise and they immensely enjoyed themselves. I just want to thank you again for thinking of the senior citizens from the Bayside Senior Center.
- Nicole Copillo

I will carry such a jubilant feeling with me for a long time to come after attending your Spring Concert. It was the most moving musical experience I have heard in a long time. I have been to the Met, the State Theater, various Broadway shows, etc., and am a classical music fan of more than 45 years. I just want to thank you and all the performers for allowing me and others to experience a magical moment.
- Mary Cullen

Yesterday's events were musically totally satisfying and fulfilling. This was our first exposure to the Oratorio Society of Queens (I am ashamed to admit) and it was a total ear-opener for us. The music was absolutely splendid. Conductor David Close was a model of musicianship, the master in control of all that went on. All of us in the audience were enthralled. Our applause and cheers were ample evidence of that.
- Stanley Cogan, Queens Borough Historian

The Oratorio performances are always flawless as far as I'm concerned...I find it interesting that you are reaching a new audience...exposed to a new experience, and so Oratorio is playing an educational as well as an entertaining role. That's good...I saw the busload of seniors debarking as I arrived. Just stay as sweet as you all are! The warmth and gemütlichkeit you exude comes through and makes Oratorio an unparalleled treasure. Love you!!!
-The Honorable Julia Harrison, Former City Council Member, Queens