What to expect
The London Oriana Choir is one of the most exciting choirs in London. Like many other amateur choirs in London it promotes five to six concerts a year in some of London’s top venues. What makes it different is the combination of high musical standards with an enormous sense of fun and enjoyment. If you pass your audition you can expect to have a lively social life as well as a stimulating musical experience.
When are rehearsals?
Rehearsals are held on Wednesday evenings (18.40–21.30) in Greycoat Hospital School (near Victoria Station) and many members of the choir meet socially afterwards for a drink or a meal.
What’s on the menu?
As well as its own concert series, the choir is often invited to sing for other organisations and has sung frequently on BBC television. There are regular tours abroad and the choir has made four CD recordings and is featured on a live DVD. The repertoire is extremely varied, ranging from a cappella jazz works and contemporary commissions to the great traditional choral masterpieces accompanied by professional orchestras. Recent events have included Handel’s Messiah in the Royal Festival Hall, Sound & Vision with Robert Plant at Abbey Road, Star Wars at the O2, Mendelssohn’s Elijah in the Barbican with Sir Thomas Allen, and a Raisa Gorbachev Fundraising Event at Hampton Court Palace with (among others) Hugh Grant, Vanessa Redgrave and Simon le Bon in attendance.
How does it sound?
Although there is no age limit imposed on entry, the choir has always had a reputation as a ‘young’ choir and strives to maintain the special tone quality that has characterised it since it was founded. There are weekly warm-up sessions, twice-a-year workshops which you will be expected to attend, and the choir has its own resident singing teachers. The choir is well known for the quality of its sound and once in the choir a strong emphasis is placed on individual voice care and development. Re-auditions are held every three years. To maintain standards the choir has strict but fair attendance rules and you must be prepared to make a regular commitment to Wednesday nights. All our members understand that if they miss more than two rehearsals for any concert they may not be allowed to take part. It is also important to note that everyone is expected to attend the rehearsal (usually 3 hours) on the afternoon of the concert. Since around half of our concerts fall on weekdays you must be prepared to take some afternoons off work.
What does it cost?
The current annual subscription is £170. Concessionary rates are negotiated for students and the unemployed. Members are also expected to purchase their own music. This is because as a repertoire choir we often repeat music.
Apart from that there are no other costs except a commitment to attending rehearsals and taking part in concerts.