The 2011 Oriana Youth Scholar Program

Current Youth Scholars: Hannah Richardson (soprano), Rachel Cowley (alto), Cody Christopher (tenor) and Alex O'Sullivan (bass). Weclome! Our scholars will be joining us for our next performance on 16-17 April "One Foot in Eden."

Music has the ability to unite people of all ages and backgrounds. However, so often choral singing is seen to be something the 'cool kids' just don't do. Naturally we couldn't disagree more! The Oriana Chorale feels more than just a responsibility to reach out to the next generation of choral singers and tell them that choirs are actually quite cool.

Singing is a passion for so many, and, we believe, nothing is more rewarding than getting together with a group of like-minded people and creating rich harmonic textures able to transport the listener back to a time when everyone wanted to be a singer, and composers and performers of classical music were seen as the Bonos and Rihannas of the time. (Actually, quite often the modern singer gets swept up in the excitement of it all and, as the applause begins, you realise you're not in 18th-century Vienna but in a concert hall in Canberra in the 21st century!)

The Youth Scholar Program is designed to give young musicians the opportunity to get involved with a group of experienced choral singers, and to provide training and guidance as they develop musically. For each concert of an Oriana season, two positions are available through audition for each voice part. Successful scholars will attend Oriana's weekly rehearsals, and perform in the concert with the choir. They will receive additional vocal training with the Youth Scholar Coordinator, himself an experienced choral singer who began his singing career as a school chorister. 

In December 2010 our inaugural scholars Sanchia Toua, Elizabeth Gibbs, and Erin Rooney took part in our performance of Handel's Messiah at St. Christopher's Cathedral in Manuka. We were delighted with their participation and look forward to welcoming new singers in 2011.

Applications are now open for our October concert of Victoria's Requiem in October.

We look forward to welcoming you to our community!

Paul Eldon
Coordinator