The Eastern music department is looking towards gaining community participation this semester through the Oratorio Society, a community choral group.

Richard Rossi, the society director and Eastern’s concert choir, said the society usually consists of Eastern faculty, staff as well as the Charleston community.

The Oratorio Society will perform with the University Concert Choir, University Mixed Chorus and the Eastern Symphony Orchestra at the upcoming annual Holiday concert at 4 p.m. Dec. 7 in the Dvorak Concert Hall in the Doudna Fine Arts Center.

“Fantasia on Christmas Carols” arranged by Vaughan Williams and “Many Moods of Christmas” arranged by Robert Russell Bennett and Robert Shaw will be performed at the concert.

Rehearsals for the concert will take place at noon on Wednesdays, beginning Oct. 14.

The Oratorio Society will also be performing at the Ovations concert with Eastern’s Symphony Orchestra at 4 p.m. April 19 in the Dvorak Concert Hall at Doudna.

Choral Masterpieces Through the Ages including works by Bach, Handel, Hadyn, Brahms and Faure will be performed by the Oratorio Society at Ovations.

Rehearsals for the Ovations concert will begin Feb. 15.

Those interested in joining the Oratorio Society should contact Rossi and provide him with their name, voice part and contact information.

Rossi said the Oratorio Society differs from Eastern’s other choral ensembles because it is a community-based group that joins students in the ensembles for larger performances throughout the year.

Students already involved with the University Mixed Chorus or Concert Choir may not also join the Oratorio Society, Rossi said.

Tickets for the Holiday Concert are $12 for the general audience, $10 for senior citizens and $5 for students.  Tickets can be purchased at the Doudna Box Office.

Samantha Middendorf can be reached at 581-2812 or semiddendorf@eiu.edu.