choral scholars
The Choral Scholars program provides paid apprenticeships, under the supervision of Maestro Tritle, for college students and recent graduates pursuing careers in vocal performance or choral conducting. Scholars act as section leaders, help to warm up the chorus before each rehearsal, and, when the opportunity arises, are asked to perform step-out solo roles.
Versatile South African tenor and composer Ongama Mhlontlo enjoys both singing and composing. Included in the Mail and Guardian 200 Young South Africans of 2023, he holds a Masters in Music degree from Manhattan School of Music. He premiered his latest song cycle ‘Stranger in New York’ on Broadway in New York City in February 2023. He performed the lead role of Leopold Bloom in the world premiere of Ulysses Missa at the New York Theatre Festival and recently premiered ‘The Truth Above All Things’ a song cycle dedicated to his home city of Mthatha. His YouTube channel The Class of Opera has over forty thousand views. Ongama is on the voice faculty at the Bloomingdale School of Music and on the piano faculty at Opus One Music in New York City. He is a proud Choral Scholar with the Oratorio Society of New York.