“Best ensemble of the Year”
ORA Singers is an award-winning vocal ensemble (‘Best Ensemble of the Year’- Opus Klassik) that commissions, records and performs choral repertoire; employing some of the world’s most exciting composers and the UK’s finest choral singers. With internationally renowned album releases, a track record of unusual and theatrical concert performances, and an extensive commissioning scheme; ORA Singers fast made a name for itself as a ‘centrepoint’ for composers within the industry.
In just 6 years ORA has commissioned 61 composers and released 10 albums, launched a Young Composers’ programme aimed deliberately at UK state-schools, selecting 50 students to receive professional mentoring, and in 2018 a recording project for emerging composers providing them with a free recording for promotional purposes.
Our 2020 release, ‘Spem in alium | Vidi aquam’ features one of our biggest commissions to date! A 40-part reflection by Sir James MacMillan. Take a listen, below…
Commissioning
ORA Singers was established with the aim of commissioning 100 new works by 100 different composers in 10 years. In many cases, we ask composers to draw inspiration from the Renaissance period, writing new 'reflective' works of particular choral masterpieces. ORA is proud to be ahead of schedule and hopes that its commissioning will continue well beyond the initial 100!
We're incredibly proud of the works that our Composers have written for us and enjoy a breadth of styles, ages, backgrounds and nationalities. ORA focusses on supporting British Artists, but has also enjoyed commissions from all around the world. Our aim is to create an anthology of choral works that, in the centuries to come, will be looked on as an encapsulation of the greatest pieces of the second 'Golden Age' of choral music.
In 2020, at the outbreak of the Coronavirus pandemic, we launched an Emergency Composers’ Fund in collaboration with Tate Modern, providing work for 8 composers. Extending our ‘reflections’ idea, these selected composers will be responding to a piece of artwork from Tate’s collection, creating a bridge across artforms.
![The latest 8 commissions from the Emergency Composers’ Fund [top left to bottom right]: Dani Howard, Sorana Santos, Eunseog Lee, James B, Wilson, Kemal Yusuf, Ben Park, Florence Anna Maunders & Satoko Doi-Luck.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5b48bc2e2487fdd3c527df48/1606309408220-48XRHDMOGW9OLJJ8QVHU/8%2Bcommissions%2Bannounced.jpg)
The 8 commissioned composers from the Emergency Composers’ Fund [top left to bottom right]: Dani Howard, Sorana Santos, Eunseog Lee, James B, Wilson, Kemal Yusuf, Ben Park, Florence Anna Maunders & Satoko Doi-Luck.
Our full list of composers, including links to their works and biographies, can be found on our ORA Singers website.
Recording
Recording is a huge part of our programme. We want to promote the composers we commission as far as possible and one of the best ways to do that is by making exceptional recordings of their works. As well as being made up of some of the finest ensemble singers we know, ORA Singers also works with the UK"s finest producers, sound engineers and recording venues so that our audiences can enjoy the highest quality performances right at their fingertips, and our composers come away with a lasting and spectacular performance of their works! Composers often visit us during our recording process to give feedback to our singers and Director, ensuring that their vision is realised.
You can listen to all our recordings on Spotify, Itunes & Deezer, as well as purchasing from Amazon, Presto Classical, Itunes and all other major retailers.
Performance
Seeing ORA Singers perform live is a 'not-to-be-missed' opportunity. ORA doesn't just do stand and sing concerts. We collaborate with designers for each of our events, and choreograph our singers in each venue, to truly enhance the atmosphere of the musical programme.
We also like to explore the use of interesting concert venues. such as the Tower of London and underneath the Cutty Sark.
Performance is also a vital part of our commissioning programme as we premiere all of our new works in these exciting concert productions. This way, the works are truly illuminated and this unique presentation style enables our audiences to vividly remember the new commissions and the experience as a whole!
ORA Singers focusses predominantly on commissioning and recording, so whenever there is an opportunity to see them live in concert, it is a special occasion! Follow the link below to see all of our upcoming performances, and we hope to see you there...
