Three Weeks to a Milestone

Oriana Choir
3 days ago
2 min read

On Sunday, November 2nd, at 2:00pm, Oriana Choir will present a very special event – a gala concert to acknowledge and celebrate twenty years of bringing beautiful choral music to the Sunshine Coast, and the world. The Twentieth Anniversary Concert will be an occasion to look back over the Choir’s experiences and achievements in the past two decades; and also, to recognise that, after twenty years, Oriana is as strong and committed to excellence as ever, and holding on to the belief that the best is still to come.

That commitment to excellence has always been at the heart of Oriana’s existence and raison d’etre. The desire to be as musically and vocally proficient and polished as possible has never flagged. But it has never been an objective to be achieved ‘at all costs.’ Oriana has never lost sight of the reality that it is first and foremost a community-based choir. It is a vital and functioning component of the Buderim community, and the wider communities of the Sunshine Coast, the state of Queensland and beyond. The drive for excellence is informed by a desire to give to the community the very best that the Choir can achieve.

The best that can be achieved is what is ‘on the menu’ for Sunday, November 2nd. You will be treated to a programme that acknowledges the many genres, and highlights that have been a part of Oriana’s journey to date. From the very first piece performed in Oriana’s inaugural concert performance, to Eisteddfod winning showcases by both the ladies’ and gentlemen’s ensembles; pieces that were highlights of Oriana’s three international tours; show tunes, jazz standards and classic songs of the sixties and seventies; major classical works by such giants as Bach, Mozart, Mendelssohn and Verdi; there will be something to delight any and every taste.

This concert will do more than celebrate Oriana’s musical history and achievements. It will acknowledge the many people who have formed part of Oriana’s singing family throughout the years. (And the word ‘family’ is not used lightly – there has always been very much a family spirit amongst its members.)

Former choir members attending the concert will be invited to join the existing choir members to sing in the finale. And there will be special guest appearances by those conductors who have led the choir at various periods of Oriana’s journey.

So, in three weeks’ time, there will be a celebration that’s been twenty years in the making. A concert that will make a very good effort at ‘covering all the bases’ of Oriana’s history so far. “Oriana’s Greatest Hits?” That depends on who’s listening. It’s all in the ear of the beholder. Suffice to say that every piece in this concert will be the best piece in this concert – to someone’s ears, if not everyone’s.

This is one you won’t want to miss.