TEN TENORS FOUNDER TO CONDUCT ORIANA CHOIR FOR SUPERB SACRED CONCERT

Something old, something new? Well, not quite. But the cliche very nearly fits the programme of Oriana Choir’s upcoming concert series, featuring Faure’s Requiem and Haydn’s ‘Nelson’ Mass. The Choir has performed the Faure work on more than one occasion in the past, whereas this is Oriana’s first foray (pun intended) into presenting Haydn’s masterwork.

To guide the internationally acclaimed Sunshine Coast based choral ensemble on this particular stage of their journey, they have engaged the highly accomplished and very versatile Kim Kirkman as Seasonal Music Director and Conductor.

Kim has had a very varied career in many musical fields. He is an accomplished violinist, harpist, singer, conductor, composer and teacher. He was a founder member and original musical director of The Ten Tenors; he taught strings, composition, conducting, music technology and voice at the Central Queensland Conservatorium of Music in Mackay between 2004 and 2012; has led, and continues to lead many choirs and vocal ensembles here on the Sunshine Coast and elsewhere in Queensland.

Kim has a multi-faceted approach to preparing a choir for performance of a major work. He places great significance on proper breath control, tonal accuracy, appropriate expressiveness and emotional interpretation of the music. Rehearsals are hard work, but very rewarding – he has a vision of how he wants the choir to sound, and he knows what needs to be done to realise that vision. Having worked with Oriana as director and conductor on a number of past concert series, a very good mutually beneficial working relationship has been established.

In addition to preparing Oriana for the Faure/Haydn concerts in July, Kim will be conducting the acclaimed Brisbane orchestra, the Sinfonia of St. Andrew’s. And they are good – really good.

The Sinfonia was established in 1995, originally under the auspices of St. Andrew’s Uniting Church in Ann Street, Brisbane. It presents classical concerts throughout Brisbane and surrounds. It has a policy of encouraging young musicians to perform alongside experienced professional players, in order to build their own confidence and expertise. Oriana has partnered with the Sinfonia in the past, most recently in 2021, when we presented Mozart’s Requiem and Ola Gjeilo’s Sunrise Mass.

Having performed previously with both Kim and The Sinfonia, the presentation of these marvellous choral works by choir, orchestra and conductor combined, promises to be a thrilling musical experience for performers and audience alike. I’m looking forward to it immensely, and I hope I’ll see you there.

10th July, 2pm St Patrick’s Church, Gympie

16th July, 2pm St John’s Cathedral, Brisbane

17th July, 2pm Stella Maris Catholic Primary School, Maroochydore

Secure your seats by visiting oriana.org.au