It’s been a fabulous year of music making for the Sunshine Coast Oriana Choir – with some amazing performances planned for 2023.
The highlight was the performance of Haydn’s classic The Creation in front of more than 1000 at the Brisbane City Hall and Bokarina’s Venue 114.
With standing ovations and numerous call-backs on stage, the performances combined Oriana with Brisbane Chorale and Sinfonia of St Andrew’s in the presence of Queensland governor Jeanette Young.
If 2021 was Oriana’s ‘Covid Comeback’ year, 2022 has been a re-boot.
Following two great seasons last year, in which the choir delighted audiences with Mozart’s masterful Requiem, Ola Gjeilo’s sublime Sunrise Mass, and Come to the Woods, a superb programme of songs by American composers.
Preparations were well under way for Dancing Queen: A Tribute to Abba & Queen.
This had already been previously put on the back-burner, and sadly had to be shelved again, when Covid once again closed the choir’s rehearsals down, and it was with considerable regret that Season 1 for 2022 had to be cancelled.
But this setback was more than made up for by what was achieved in Seasons 2 and 3.
Under the guidance and tutelage of Ten Tenors founder Kim Kirkman, Oriana presented three performances of Faure’s beautiful Requiem, and two performances of the dramatic, spectacular Nelson Mass by Joseph Haydn, accompanied by the Sinfonia of St Andrews.
Season 3 was a first for the choir; Oriana joined forces with Brisbane Chorale, under the leadership of Emily Cox AM, and a combined ensemble of more than 150 choristers presented Haydn’s The Creation to a total of nearly 1000 delighted music lovers at Venue 114, Bokarina, and Brisbane City Hall.
Accompanied once again by the Sinfonia of St Andrew’s, this was an immensely popular, and highly successful event, and an Oriana career highlight.
Bringing an historical and monumental oratorio such as The Creation to life was an extraordinary honour for the choir.
The meaning behind what this work conveys for so many was encapsulated in the standing ovations received from both near-capacity audiences at Kawana and in Brisbane.
The presence of the Queensland governor highlighted to the choristers, the value of the work that is put in to bring this music to life hundreds of years after its original composition, and share it with such appreciative audiences.
Extra-curricular performances throughout the year included:
A small ensemble of Orianians singing at the Buderim Dawn Service;
A weekend workshop with the brilliant music conductor/educator Graham Abbott;
The annual ‘Sing with Queensland Symphony Orchestra’ at the ABC Concert Hall, Brisbane;
-Christmas Carols with the Sunshine Coast Youth Choir on a Noosa River Cruise.
It’s been quite a year. And through it all, Oriana’s artistic director, Fay Baker OAM, has been a tower of strength and an inspiration to the whole choir.
It is Fay who plans the repertoire for each season, and she’s always thinking at least two years ahead.
Her passion for Oriana, her musicality, and her dedication to excellence are largely responsible for creating and maintaining the choir’s reputation for presenting beautiful music, exquisitely performed to a very high standard.
Oriana delights in 2023 will include:
Season One – Oriana Sings – Mozart Vespers and the Music of Ola Gjeilo;
Season Two – Beneath the Southern Cross – a Celebration of Australian Music;
Season 3 – Handel’s Messiah – the beloved, perennial favourite.
WHAT’S MUSIC GOT TO DO WITH IT?
Music is a phenomenon in life we can all relate to. It can motivate us, make us sad, happy, energised, melancholy, inspired. It can transport us instantly to another time, a moment in our lives where an artist or group now represent something important – a feeling, an event, a relationship.
For Oriana president Melissa Innes, the recent Oriana Christmas Dinner celebrating the year passed – offered an opportunity to reflect.
“Taking a moment to reflect provides an opportunity for us to stand back from the day-to-day, to consider our own and others’ roles in the big picture – and to consider the important things … little and big.”
It seems for Oriana, like so many other organisations, this year has been all about the great come-back.
But not just a return to what was before … the need to consider what the differences are.
How, as a community organisation they’ve travelled through one of the strangest, most challenging life events in our history, a time of transformation for many families, businesses, and community organisations.
“It’s too early to say ‘Wasn’t Covid dreadful’ or ‘Isn’t it great to be on the other side of that!…’
“We all know we would be naïve to consider Covid isn’t here to stay in one form or other – but what I hope we can say… is that we’ve grown with Covid.”
Oriana, like many organisations, has grown in its resilience, in its ability to adapt. And it’s been a time where support of each other has been crucial, the role that Oriana plays not only in members’ lives – but in the lives of those they sing for, family members, members of the Sunshine Coast community – and beyond.
As Sharon Fitness, long-term committee member and life member recipient at the choir’s Christmas dinner explained:
“Through the passion and commitment we as Oriana members bring to this organisation, our singing and events create a ripple effect that spreads through the community – like a stone cast into the water.”
Sharon’s volunteer commitment to the choir over the past 17 years in her roles as publicity officer and concert logistic manager is reflective of the great pride Oriana’s members take in being a part of something they value greatly as members of the Sunshine Coast community.
One member recalled “…the tears and genuine appreciation of some of our audience members who stand at the completion of our performance – seemingly enraptured – and encouraging others around them to do the same… that’s why I love what we do.”
Melissa highlighted this sense of being a part of something special – that enables members to give back a little to their fellow Sunshine Coasters.
“Oriana offer its members an escapism from the hectic world of work and family life … but for many Oriana means friendship, companionship, or an extra family.’’
Melissa said the organisation aimed to create a strong sense of belonging – something Oriana members can take great pride to be a part of – a family they’ve come to rely on when life throws them a curve ball.
More Sunshine Coast families are realising the benefits of singing for their children too.
The last term of the school year alone saw 15 new younger members join Oriana’s youth choir – the Sunshine Coast Youth Choir.
Director Annie Wilson was proud of what these talented and passionate youngsters achieved in just a few short rehearsals ahead of their end-of-year Memorable Musicals concert.
“It takes the hard work and dedication of each of the children every week to achieve the performance standard they did for their final concert – some of these children have never performed in front of an audience … or read music before in their lives.
“It’s a huge accomplishment and we’re very proud of all of them.’’
For further details on Sunshine Coast Oriana Choir search www.oriana.org.au/
