Oratorio Society presents Christmas in the Western World

Newton - The Sussex County Oratorio Society will present “Christmas in the Western World,” a choral concert with Latin percussion instruments, at Christ Episcopal Church on Main Street in Newton, Sunday, Jan. 7, at 3:30 p.m. The concert will feature Christmas music from Canada, the United States, the Caribbean, and South America. A Christmas carol sing-along is also included in the program. Tickets at the door are $12 general admission and $6 or seniors and students. This year Al Kopacka of Hackettstown begins his 12th year on the podium as director of the Oratorio Society. He earned his B.M.E. from Shenandoah Conservatory in Winchester, Va., where he studied voice with Lloyd Robb, and has been musically active in Morris, Sussex, and Warren counties for many years. Kopacka has worked with Harmonium, a Classical Choral Society, Centenary College, and as director of the Branchville Presbyterian Church Messiah sing-along. Pianist Joan Tracy attended the Hartt College of Music and earned a B.A. from the University of Hartford. She is an accomplished accompanist serving Harmonium, the Sussex County Youth & Prep Orchestras, and Suzuki Strings in addition to the Sussex County Oratorio Society. Organist Vicki Kopacka studied piano at the Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music. She has worked as pianist-in-residence for the state theaters in Berlin, Germany and presently teaches piano and voice at Studio 46 in Hackettstown. She also directs several choirs and serves as organist for the First Presbyterian Church in Washington. Made up of local singers from all backgrounds and diverse musical experience, the Sussex County Oratorio Society is in its 54th year of performing classical choral music in the county. Biannual concerts are always well-received. For more information, call 973-383-0221.