The History of Macclesfield Oriana Choir

The choir was created in 1930 by J.L. Riley and was originally known as the J.L. Riley Festival Choir. Mr Riley took his fledgling choir into the flourishing and competitive Music Festival movement and, under his guidance, they won the Festival of Britain in 1951 and the Ladies’ Choir won the Llangollen International Eisteddfod in 1954.

In 1958, Mr Riley relinquished control of the Choir and was succeeded for a short time by Mr E.A. Higson. In December of the same year, the baton passed to Mr Keith Yearsley. Under his conductorship, the choir took a different musical direction, performing some of the great choral works which have been a feature of their programmes ever since, including the Bach B Minor Mass, Elgar’s Dream of Gerontius and Verdi’s Requiem.

Some great names have performed with the Macclesfield Oriana Choir, and we are proud to include Isobel Baillie, Kathleen Ferrier, Constance Shacklock, Owen Brannigan, Walter Widdop, Heddle Nash, Allexander Young and John Mitchinson amongst our past soloists.

In 1966, the choir changed its name to the Macclesfield Oriana Choir.

In March, 2024, after 65 years wielding the baton, Keith Yearsley retired. His final concert, “65 Glorious Years”, featured his favourite music with memories and anecdotes from his long time with the choir.

Our new Musical Director is the well-known Christopher Cromar, and under his direction, the Choir continues to flourish. Recent concerts have included ‘A Sprig of Thyme’ by John Rutter, Rossini Petite Messe Solennelle and Faure Requiem.