Oriana Announces Accomplished Young Conductor Matthew Collins as New Seasonal Director

Oriana Arts Inc is proud to announce acclaimed choral conductor, singer and musician Matthew Collins as the Seasonal Music Director for Sunshine Coast Oriana Choir’s 2018 Winter Season.

A former Oriana member, in 2014, Matthew moved from the Sunshine Coast to London to further his love of choral music. While there he sang with ‘The Choir of St Martin-in-the-fields’ and ‘The Iken Scholars’ and performed in world-class venues such as St Paul’s Cathedral, Canterbury Cathedral, Notre Dame Cathedral, La Madeleine, The Royal Albert Hall and Westminster Abbey.

In June 2017, Matthew returned to his home town of Toowoomba to commence his postgraduate studies in education and was invited back to the Toowoomba Philharmonic Society as conductor of the Philo Voices and continues to be a musician in high demand across the local scene.

Matthew is excited to be able to work with Oriana after a few years away from the Sunshine Coast.

“It is an honour to have the opportunity to work with the Sunshine Coast Oriana Choir once again. It is a rare thing that a choir with such a warm and welcoming nature and a strong sense of community has such a rich and vibrant sound that rivals many professional groups on the choral music scene.”

Matthew has always considered music to be an integral part of his life. Throughout his schooling years he won many music awards for his involvement in choirs and various instrumental ensembles and has since completed his Grade 5 AMEB Music Theory as well as a Bachelor of Creative Arts (Music) on classical piano.

Whilst primarily a chorister/conductor, Matthew also plays piano, clarinet, flute, saxophone and cello and thrives on the challenge of learning new instruments! He has also played major roles in musicals such as Essgee’s Pirates of Penzance, Monty Python’s Spamalot, Disney’s High School Musical, Sweeney Todd, Hairspray and Singing in the Rain as well as ensemble in many others.

Matthew says, “My goal is to bring a new sense of life to the group which will add vigour, depth and vivacity to the choir’s overall sound and which will be appreciated by both the choristers and audiences alike!”

Audiences will be able to meet Matt and will enjoy his Musical Direction at the Choir’s next events, Oriana Sings the Movies: Songs from the Silver Screen on July 28 and 29 at the Caloundra Events Centre. Tickets are available by booking here