• Oratorio Chorale singers on stage at Sanford Performing Arts Center, Maine

    Experience Choral Music with Us

  • Oratorio Chorale in concert at St. John the Baptist Church, Brunswick, Maine

    Experience Choral Music with Us

  • Oratorio Chorale performs at U.S. Custom House in Portland, Maine

    Experience Choral Music with Us

Welcome to the Oratorio Chorale


Now in its fifth decade, the Oratorio Chorale is a symphonic chorus committed to advancing choral music through exceptional performances, educational and community outreach, and collaborations. The Chorale consists of 80 auditioned, professionally directed singers, from high school students to retirees.

Artistic Director Emily Isaacson joined us in 2013 for the Chorale’s 40th season. She is noted for unique programming that provides a contemporary take on timeless music. In 2015, Oratorio Chorale founded Sweetest in the Gale, a women’s chorus, and a Young Artists Program for gifted high school students. 

Experience Choral Music With Us


Oratorio Chorale

Oratorio Chorale is an 80-member symphonic chorus committed to advancing choral music through performances, collaborations, educational programs, and community outreach. OC will present three programs in the 2021–22 season, with 13 performances.

Sweetest in the Gale

Sweetest in the Gale is an auditioned ensemble of 25–30 singers that explores the robust repertoire of choral works for women’s voices with a focus on technique, musicianship skills, and building community. “SinG” is directed by Maria Belva.

Young Artists Program

 Oratorio Chorale’s Young Artists Program nurtures the musical and expressive skills of exceptional young singers in southern Maine, providing an opportunity for talented high school students to tackle advanced choral repertoire in a supportive environment.

Classical Uprising

In 2020, the Chorale participated in a merger with Portland Bach Experience to form Classical Uprising, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit committed to community development, creative expression, inclusivity, lifelong learning, and artistic excellence. Our goal is a holistic approach to classical music that enlivens, strengthens, and connects communities. 

Classical Uprising’s programs include Oratorio Chorale, Portland Bach Experience, and Horizon Voices, which combined serve over 120 adult amateur singers, 70 young musicians, 60 professional artists, and more than 4,000 audience members. 

 
Posed group photo of instrumentalists and singers
 

Support Our Work

When you support the arts, you make an investment in your community. Share the joy of music with your neighbors and inspire a culture of lifelong learning in Maine by supporting our programming.

 

Thank You to Our CLASSICAL UPRISING 2022-2023 Season Sponsors