Portland State Magazine Spring 2007

Ray Elliott '00 will conduct the Portland Lesbian Choir's 20th Anniversary Concert June 23. From a new direction RAY ELLIOTT '00 may be che nation's first and only gay, African American man to lead a lesbian choir. This fall, Elliott brought his energetic directing style to the Portland Lesbian Choir at its members' request. The 20-year-old choir had struggled without a conductor during the past year. ''Ac the first rehearsal, some singers were a little unsure about working wich a man," says Elliot, "but midway into rehearsal everybody relaxed and it went really well." Eliott, the founder and director of Confluence, a gay and lesbian chorus based in Salem, directs a Unitarian church choir in Corvallis and has conducted choirs at Chemeketa Community College. His PSU degree is in music education. "We have singers from all levels," says Elliott. "For some, it's cheir first time in a choir, and they learn everything by ear. Ochers can sight read very well. The choir members need to memorize the music and that's challenging for some." The 22-member ensemble, which is open to all women , will present a 20 th Anniversary Concert on June 23 at 7:30 p.m. at the Bridgeport United Church of Christ, 621 NE 76 th Ave. For more about the Portland Lesbian Choir, visit www.plchoir. org. • 8 PORTLAND STATE MAGAZINE SPRING 2007 virtuosic Cello ifhe P.SU Symphony Orchestra are available