PROFILE
Oriana Singers
- Choir
- Music
Oriana Singers Inc. is a mixed-voice (SATB) choir with members from the greater Tauranga area. The choir currently has just over fifty members. Choir members come from a variety of musical back-grounds, with some having never sung in a choir before to those who have sung in choirs for over twenty years.
The musical director is Katrina Daniela. Katrina is the HoD Music at Papamoa College. Katrina studied choral conducting under Karen Grylls and Uwe Grodd at the University of Auckland. She has led community choir for over 15 years in the Coromandel, Waikato and Bay of Plenty. Katrina is also a member of the chamber choir Scholars Baroque Aotearoa.
The choir accompanist is Barbara Caygill. Barbara has taught music and accompanied a number of musicians over a number of years. Barbara moved from her position as a regional Music adviser to a lecturer at BTI.
Coreen Gray is the current Patron of the choir. Coreen has been a previous conductor of the choir when it was a ladies only choir, as well as a long-standing accompanist. Coreen is both an accomplished pianist and singer. She sang in England with Roy Henderson, under whom she studied (as did Kathleen Ferrier). Coreen was a soloist for the BBC. She has taught music, sung, accompanied and conducted for all her adult life. She is a member of the New Zealand Choral Federation and founded the Bay of Plenty branch, and is a life member of the Choral Federation. Coreen was awarded life membership of the Oriana Singers in 2015 in recognition of her contribution to the choir and became its patron in 2016.
The choir’s repertoire is varied, has wide appeal, and changes throughout the year. The choir works towards two main concerts per year with smaller engagements throughout the year as requested. The choir sings works ranging from traditional choral pieces, to jazz and popular pieces, as well as spirituals and folk songs. The choir also works with guest artists and other community musicians such as Tauranga Brass. The choir seeks to support young musicians in the community and will often invite young artists to feature in their concerts.
Oriana Singers Inc is a member of the New Zealand Choral Federation.