Diane Oxner

Diane Elizabeth Oxner-Macdonald (November 10, 1928 – January 23, 2025) was a Canadian soprano and voice teacher. She was a soloist in the choir at the St. Matthew's United Church and had roles with the Nova Scotia Opera Association and the Halifax Symphony Orchestra among recordings. Oxner worked at the Maritime Conservatory of Music in Halifax from 1954 and began her role as a voice teacher with the New Brunswick Academy of Music in 1958. She was musical director of the New Brunswick Opera Association from 1969 to 1972 and then moved to Scotland to co-manage a hotel. Oxner returned to Canada in 1983 and became choral director of the Lunenburg Chorale in 1985.

Early life Oxner was born on November 10, 1928, in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia. Her mother, Pearl Young Oxner, was the conductor of the Lunenburg Male Choir and a contralto and teacher, Oxner graduated from Lunenburg Academy in 1947, She later attended the Bouve Boston School of Physical Education for two years under Margaret Armstrong Gow.

Career Following graduation, Oxner returned to Lunenburg. was a soloist in the choir at the St. Matthew's United Church, performing at the 1950 Halifax Music Festival and received honourable mention in the 1954–1955 Singing Stars of Tomorrow. She appeared at the Nova Scotia Festival of the Arts from 1956 to 1958. as well as children's songs, and had roles with the Nova Scotia Opera Association and the Halifax Symphony Orchestra. Oxner returned to Canada in October 1982. She was made choral director of the Lunenburg Chorale in 1985, and led and directed both Jr. And Sr. Choir for the Central United Church for the next 20 year. Oxner resumed teaching at the Maritime Conservatory of Music in Halifax and with private students. Her students included the likes of Sarah McLachlan.

Oxner recorded the LP Traditional Folksongs of Nova Scotia in 1973 and also took part in Canadian Folk Songs: A Centennial Collection. Following retirement, she gave private lessons, helped local choirs and volunteered at numerous functions and festivals across Lunenburg.

Personal life Oxner married Scottish-born James MacDonald in 1958 but she continued to use her maiden name in a professional context. There were three children of the marriage. She died in Lunenberg on the morning of January 23, 2025 and her memorial service took place at Central United Church in Lunenburg on March 1.