Welcome to Gloriana

Since its formation in 2016 by director and mezzo-soprano Deborah Miles-Johnson, Gloriana has given a dozen well-received concerts in central London.  We have sung in Rothschild & Co’s glittering Sky Pavilion, at the Cabinet Office, at the Mayor of London’s Southwark Cathedral carol service and for Classic FM. 

Our first CD was released recently; you can see three videos created during lockdown on the Gloriana: Women in Harmony YouTube channel

Gloriana on Tour

Gloriana takes its first foreign tour - to Belgium - in May this year.  On Saturday 18 May we will be singing in three of Ghent's beautiful central churches and on Sunday 19th, we travel to Bruges to provide sacred music for the many pilgrims to the Basilica of the Holy Blood.  

Latest News

Our CD is now released. Click on the Buy Our CD tab, above, to listen to tempting snippets and buy or download your copy.

We sang internationally acclaimed clarinettist Emma Johnson's Songs of Celebration with her in a sparkling Christmas concert at Temple Church to a full house and celebrated afterwards.  

The Cabinet Office invited Gloriana to sing at their end-of-day celebration to mark International Women's Day.

To mark a centenary of women's achievements in politics and music, Classic FM wanted a recording of a women's choir and we're thrilled that they chose Gloriana. 

Our Professionals

Deborah Miles-Johnson
Musical Director

Deborah is a professional choral director and mezzo-soprano. She was a member of the BBC Singers for many years and has sung with The Sixteen and the Tallis Scholars; she appears regularly in the Extra Chorus at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden. Her varied career encompasses a thriving teaching practice and performing on the soundtracks of many major films. She created Gloriana in 2016, handpicking singers from London and the South-East.

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Wendy Norman
Accompanist

Wendy studied piano and flute at the Royal College of Music. In addition to singing and playing for Gloriana, she enjoys accompanying classical and jazz singers, playing in a piano duo and playing in big band rhythm sections. Wendy also conducts and enjoys working as a musical director when conditions allow. She can usually be found playing flute or conducting a concert band on Friday evenings. Future plans include reviving her successful office choir in the community.

Gloriana in Action

Our Patron

CHARLOTTE GREEN joined the BBC after reading English and American Literature at the University of Kent. She was a Radio 4 Newsreader and Continuity Announcer for 27 years, making regular appearances on the 'News Quiz'. She also presented 'Morning Has Broken' for Radio 4 and 'News Speak' for the BBC World Service.

Charlotte left the BBC at the beginning of 2013 to pursue a freelance career. Her autobiography, The News is Read, was published in October 2014.

Testimonials

I listened to this CD while I was shielding during lockdown. The sensitivity and sublime quality of the choir touched me deeply bringing tears to my eyes. It reminded me of the superb quality of the live performances which I felt privileged to attend during less stressful times.

 
Dr Melanie Rein

For our CD, Gloriana recorded Judith Bingham's delightful miniature If music be... 

 


When Judith heard the recording she sent a glowing note to Deborah Miles-Johnson:  'It's brilliant.  THANK YOU.'

 
Judith Bingham, composer

Jeremy White, who composed the exciting Witches' Brew for Gloriana says: "The sounds you are able to make comprise everything from brilliant to luscious, and from exquisite to wild, and the level of sheer technical musicianship is of the very highest."

 
Jeremy White, composer and singer

I wanted to say thank you and to congratulate you for such a splendid concert last night [International Women's Day, 2023]. It was really wonderful - moving, fun, marvellously performed by a really talented choir - and brilliantly programmed and directed.  It's so thriling to hear amateur singers tackle really challenging repertoire with such profressionalism and joy.  A real treat.

 

Fiona Kimm, opera singer

It was obvious that both conductor and choir engaged completely with the piece and produced a performance I was both flattered and humbled to hear.  

Andrew Parnell, composer of Angel Voices
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