Noteworthy News, July 16, 2021

Important upcoming dates:

Thank you to everyone who attended our Annual Meeting on the 12th. Congratulations are extended to our new Vice President of the Choir, Betsy Cooper! And having completed her term as VP, Morgan Roe has agreed to serve on our Board of Directors and was duly elected to that important position. Information was also shared about our current financial status, a review of all the activities this past fiscal year, and the plans for our upcoming season. A recording of the entire 57 minute meeting can be found on our website and the Member page. (Link)

From our next Summer Sings guest artist, Carl DuPont: I am looking forward to joining you on Monday, July 19 at 7 pm (via Zoom) to explore these intricacies of a great trove of American music. Feel free to take a listen to the playlist below and hear some of the pieces that will be a part of our time together. 

Spirituals: Deep River - Piano Solo - Samuel Coleridge Taylor

H.T. Burleigh singing "Go Down Moses"

My God is a Rock (American Spiritual Ensemble)

SwingLow, Sweet Chariot (Fisk University Jubilee Quartet)

Balm in Gilead (Fisk University Jubilee Quartet)

Gospel: Gospel Music in Scandinavia

Goin Up Yonder

Balmin Gilead - Karen Clark (Vamp 4:41–4:50)

If you are interested in knowing more about the current state of research and scholarship, check out this lecture: Ring Shout Wheel About (2 hours).


Auditions for new members to join PSC for our 2021-22 season will take place over 3 days in August. Click here for more information including the audition registration form. Please share this (link) with folks you may know that are looking to participate in "Portland's Choir Since 1945." 

“Voice Checks" for returning members will be accomplished separately from auditions. An email was sent Friday afternoon (July 16) to every Choir member with specific voice check information (you will or will NOT need to perform a voice check). Excerpts from the Missa Solemnis will be used this year. Specific information is in your customized email. Regardless of when you auditioned or last sang a voice check, Choir members who participated in at least 70% of our 2020-21 Virtual Season (October through May) will NOT have to sing for Alissa and Wendy at this time.

From Alissa: Welcome to week number 7 of our Let's Get Ready To Sing Again" lesson series. Today, we continue combining some of the foundations we've been building over the last 6 weeks and moving some of those same concepts into Drink To Me Only With Thine Eyes by British composer Roger Quilter. Only one week left in the series before we have our first in-person event. All of these lessons, the vocalise sheets, and the PDFs of the music can be found on the Members and Alumni/Guest pages of our website (scroll down the website page).

From Wendy: Are you planning on attending Vocalize & Socialize but have not registered yet? Please register today as this will help us get music ready. Thank you! Use this online registration link (Look for the green Register tile). We have reserved the "outdoor but otherwise covered" basketball court at the Multnomah Arts Center. This will be an opportunity to work on getting your voice back in shape while singing through some of our favorites and we finally get to be with each other! All vaccinated folks are welcome, current Choir member or not.

If you are planning to sing in the special choir at the memorial service for former PSC member John Salmon on Sunday, July 25th, remember to send your "count me in" email to Alejandra Blech (aleblech@gmail.com). Additional details are in the June 11th edition of Noteworthy News (Link to Noteworthy News archives).

Alissa Deeter