The PSU Oriana Singers

Welcome to the Oriana Singers of Penn State University

     "Oriana" is the poetic name given to Queen Elizabeth I and is used in madrigal texts praising her power, wit, and beauty. Oriana Singers was founded in 1995 by current director Dr. Lynn Drafall to provide an excellent choral environment for women.

     Oriana Singers is comprised of approximately sixty women representing all different colleges on the University Park campus. Repertoire includes a variety of music from the 16th century through the 20th century. The choir presents two campus concerts each year and participates Winterfest, which includes all of the Penn State Choirs as well as a representative group from the Instrumental program. Enrollment is by audition with the conductor. Within Oriana Singers is another group, Discantus. Members of this chamber choir are auditioned in the first few weeks of classes each semester.

     Music elevates and liberates the human spirit. Singing with others helps us to gain a deeper awareness of our individual feelings and emotions as well as to share this awareness with others. The Oriana Singers is dedicated to:

the musical and personal growth of its members; and the representation of the Pennsylvania State University to the public with the highest degree of musical and personal integrity.

In order to fulfill these goals, the conductor of the Oriana Singers must set high standards in the selection of choral literature chosen for performance and motivate the ensemble members to attain the very highest degree of artistry.