Noteworthy News, July 2, 2021
Important upcoming dates:
Monday, July 12, 7 pm Annual Meeting (Zoom)
Monday, July 19, 7 pm Summer Sings! (Zoom)
Monday, July 26, 7 pm Vocalize & Socialize (Multnomah Arts Center)
Monday, August 16, 7 pm Summer Sings! (Zoom)
Monday, August 23, 7 pm Vocalize & Socialize (Multnomah Arts Center)
Monday, July 12 is the time for our Annual Meeting. This is an important gathering of PSC members (virtual via Zoom) as we review this very unusual past year, announce plans for the 2021-22 season, elect new Board members, and every other year, President or Vice President of the Choir. This year we will be receiving nominations and electing a Vice President. If you know of a Choir member who wants to assist with the leadership of our organization, or perhaps YOU might want to explore the opportunity, please click on this link to read the job descriptions and/or send an email to me and we can discuss it further by phone (president@pschoir.org).
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 scheduled for the same time as auditions in August. Regardless of when you last sang a voice check, Choir members who participated in at least 80% of our 2020-21 Virtual Season (October through May) will NOT have to sing for Alissa and Wendy at this time. Emails will be sent to every Choir member in mid-July with specific voice check information (you will or will NOT need to sign up for a voice check). An excerpt from the Missa Solemnis will be used this year. Specific information will be in the customized email.
From Wendy: We are excited about getting together in person for Vocalize and Socialize. Please save the date for later this month and again in August. 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! Everyone is welcome. Be sure to register using this online registration link (Look for the green Register tile).
From Alissa: Hello Singers! Our week 5 vocalises are starting to become fun and challenging with more combinations of elements. I've also included a guest video of tenor Brian Cheney giving an explanation of the "Going Through" exercise for our tenors and basses. Because the "Dying Cow" was such an attraction, I've brought it back with a bit more structure. We get to sing through An die Musik today with attention to line and connection. Next week, we will sing it along with the accompaniment. I will also introduce a new piece to continue our group song efforts. All of these lessons, the vocalise sheets, and the Schubert music can be found on the Members and Alumni/Guest pages of our website (scroll down the website page).
From Claire Robertson-Preis: Hello! I'm so excited to join the Portland Symphonic Choir as your Operations Manager and return to the vocal music field that I love. Like you all, I'm passionate about sharing amazing vocal music and creating a more accessible music experience for everyone, singers and listeners alike. I'm originally from Missoula, Montana and Boerne, Texas. I moved to Oregon in 2019, after falling in love with the Pacific Northwest performing in McMinnville. I earned double Bachelor's degrees in Music Performance and Russian Language from the University of Montana in 2016 (Go Griz!) and my Masters in Vocal Performance from West Virginia University in 2019. Before and during the pandemic, I have worked as a Life Enrichment Coordinator for The Springs, a senior living community in Sherwood. The proudest part of that job for me was helping coordinate and execute our vaccination clinics, though I planned some great parties too! I also teach online voice lessons to children through the Hoffman Academy. As a performer, some of my favorite roles I've sang include Laetitia in The Old Maid and the Thief at University of Montana, Sam-I-Am in Green Eggs and Ham for WVU Outreach Theater, and First Lady at WVU (and then Second Lady at Aquilon Music Festival) from The Magic Flute. My passions outside of music include travel -- during my college years, I studied abroad in St. Petersburg, Russia, and outdoor pursuits such as hiking and horseback riding. I have a border collie named Zinnia and a rescue cat named Pudding (when her owner passed away, her temporary stay at my home became permanent!). I look forward to serving the Choir and ensuring that, "the i's are dotted and the t's are crossed" in all manners big and small!
Remember to send your "count me in" email to Alejandra Blech (aleblech@gmail.com) if you are planning to sing in the special choir at the memorial service for former PSC member John Salmon on Sunday, July 25. Additional details are in the June 11th edition of Noteworthy News (Link to Noteworthy News archives).