Under the leadership of artistic director Lynn Janes, the Oriana Singers have resumed rehearsals via the ZOOM rehearsals video conferencing application.
When the COVID-19 pandemic forced the cancellation of the Cobourg-based group’s 50th-anniversary concert celebrations earlier in the year, it might have been the end of an era. Instead, the group embraced technology and continued to connect with members remotely to maintain a sense of community and to plan into the future.
With hopes for a possible concert in the new year, weekly virtual rehearsals have resumed with a full schedule of guest lectures by well-known broadcaster and author Rick Phillips, vocal coaching by Grammy-nominated mezzo-soprano Laura Pudwell, German diction coaching by their own Diane Ankenmann, and accompaniment by Bob Grandy. Soloists include soprano Nadia Petrella and baritone Joseph Song Chi.
Whenever live performances are able to take place again in public spaces, The Oriana Singers will be collaborating with Northumberland Orchestra and Choir, led by artistic director John Kraus. To prepare for that much-anticipated, joint performance of the Brahms Requiem, members of the NOC choir and some from the orchestra have joined these zoom rehearsals, and they have grown to more than 70 singers participating in the fall programming.
Credit must also go to the boards of both organizations, for their spirit of determination not only to survive but to thrive as vibrant community musical groups – and to the enthusiastic singers and musicians from across Northumberland County whose hunger for new kinds of learning experiences have helped begin a new chapter for two long-standing and well-respected community organizations.
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
