Past Tense PSU’s Chamber Choir Has Been Singing Since 1975 n 1975, David Wilson founded the Portland State Chamber Choir, a “unique ensemble dedicated to performing complex choral literature at the highest musical levels.” Under Wilson’s direction, the Choir grew to become one of the finest in Portland. In 1978, Bruce Browne assumed directorship of the Choir, leading it to national prominence from 1985-2006. “His personal work ethic and dedication to the students helped him raise the level of singing in the program to international recognition.” Browne received the Lifetime Award for Leadership and Service from the American Choral Directors Association in 2012. Photos above: Director Bruce Browne; two photos of the Chamber Choir; Director Ethan Sperry Browne described a chamber choir as a small (36 or fewer voices) choir that sings a wide variety of music ranging from international and classical to folk and gospel music, singing a capella. PSU’s Chamber Choir has sung in many languages, including French, Estonian, German, and Greek. Bruce’s goal was to bring in the best choral experts from around the world to work with the choir. Eric Ericson, a renowned and influential Swedish choral teacher, came to campus in 1984 and 1985. Other noteworthy choral guests include American Robert Shaw, German Frieder Bernius, and Englishman Andrew Parrott. PSU’s Choir has traveled internationally, providing the opportunity to hear and learn from other choral groups. Notably, the choir has been selected to perform three times (1985, 1997, and 2003) before an audience of approximately 6,000 at the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA). The Choir students were guests of the Greek government in the late 1980s, guests of the Spanish government twice in the early 1990s, toured in England, Finland, and Estonia in the late 1990s, and were the only American choir invited to participate in the Estonian Song Festival in 1991. The Choir has also performed in Germany, the Czech Republic, and Canada, as well as locally and across the US. They have received some grants for travel expenses but have needed to raise funds to help defray expenses, usually doing home stays to cut costs. For four years in the mid-1990s, the chamber choir (along with the Disciples of Song, a gospel choir) and other musical groups performed Handel’s “Messiah” to sold-out audiences during the holiday season. The tradition of music excellence continues today under the expert direction of Ethan Sperry, a nationally known choral arranger who came to PSU in 2010. Ethan’s choice of PSU was related, in part, to seeing PSU’s Chamber Choir perform in New York City at the ACDA national conference in 2003; he said that it was the best concert he had ever heard. In July of 2013 the Choir led by conductor Sperry became the first US choir in the 52-year history of Italy's Seghizzi International Choral Competition to win the Grand Prix. Sperry believes that PSU students have what it takes to be “great” rather than “good”: a willingness to be vulnerable on stage and to focus. Ethan believes that the choral program is poised to become a school destination for students from around the country. Both Bruce Browne and Ethan Sperry attribute much of the Chamber Choir’s success to the age diversity of PSU students, which is unique in college and university choirs. Looking ahead, there are many events scheduled, beginning in December and going forward to 2015 when PSU will host the National Collegiate Choral Organization Conference (www.music.pdx.edu/musicnews ). For a treat, listen to the Chamber Choir: http://www.youtube.com/watch%3Fv%3DlMcLils4gds. Note: a Bruce Browne Scholarship has been established through the PSU Foundation. --Mary Brannan, from interviews with Bruce Brown and Ethan Sperry; A Short History of the Department of Music at Portland State University, Bryan Johanson, 2013 3 I
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