That was 2024 - Here comes 2025!

What a year it’s been for Oriana! Three massive full Choir seasons, numerous Oriana Ensemble engagements, and a fabulous round of Christmas Carol performances to top it all off. Being a part of this marvellous musical organisation just keeps getting better and better!

Oriana’s first major offering for 2024 was the exuberant and highly successful Dancing Queen: A Tribute To ABBA And Queen, which was presented in sell-out performances in May at Stella Maris Performance Centre in Maroochydore, and The J in Noosa. Audiences at both venues were ecstatic in their response to thrilling deliveries of so many classic songs. Solos, duets, performances from the Sunshine Coast Youth Choir and Oriana Choir, separately and together, all combined to give patrons an unforgettable two hours of joyous, feel-good music.

Then, in August, came Reflections: Songs Of Love And Hope, at St Patrick’s in Gympie, and again at Stella Maris – beautiful, meditative, emotional and heart-warming music, offered as a balm to the soul in the face of so much pain, suffering and injustice around the world.

And in November, with the superb Sinfonia of St. Andrew’s, John Rutter’s magnificent Magnificat and Requiem, at Maleny State School Hall and Stella Maris.

Three big presentations: all different, all superbly delivered, all showcasing the versatility and professionalism of this splendid Choir. And as if that wasn’t enough, a total of eight Carols performances, including the Reed & Co. annual Noosa River Cruise, and seven consecutive nights at Sofitel resort in Noosa, ending on Christmas Eve. What a wonderful way to finish the performance year!

With barely enough time to draw breath and re-charge, Oriana re-convenes on January sixteenth, to begin rehearsals for its first big project for 2025, The Piano Men: Billy Joel & Elton John, which promises to be every bit as exciting as 2024’s Dancing Queen.

Anyone who has been to an Oriana concert will know that they can be assured of a wonderful, pleasure-filled and satisfying musical experience.

Roll on 2025!

Ian Rix

26 December, 2024