Noteworthy News, September 4th
It's September! Our new Virtual Season begins this month with transplanted Summer Sings to be September Sings! Monday the 14th will feature the Mozart Requiem via Zoom accompanied by our recording from 2014. PSC members and alumni are invited to a special pre-event reception a little after 6:30 pm as it was in September of 1945 that we held our very first rehearsal! The link to the Zoom event will be sent by Jayde to all of us including alums the morning of the 14th. The general public is invited to "participate" in the Mozart via a live stream event on YouTube. That link will be available via direct email and social media announcements including access to the score so we can all sing along. For your convenience, here is a LINK to the edition that we are using, all 71 pages of it!
One of the goals of our organization is to welcome new participants and be exposed to different interpretations of familiar choral works. For September 14, we welcome Eugene Symphony Chorus Master and Director of Choral Studies at the University of Oregon, Sharon Paul as our guest conductor for the Mozart. (Link to bio). And on September 21, internationally acclaimed conductor Imre Pallo will lead us in another one of our favorites, Carmina Burana. (Link to bio).
If you have already clicked on the calendar link (pschoir.org/members), September Sings dates should already be on your smartphone calendar. Otherwise, please make a note of these important events.
Speaking of events, thanks again to everyone who participated in the Lift Every Voice project and shared the link with family and friends. Unofficial numbers so far indicate nearly $300 raised for Don't Shoot Portland, over 1,000 "listens" on YouTube, and when you view the Portland Symphonic Choir Facebook page, it indicates over 8,400 "views!" Definitely an event we can all be proud of. When you check Facebook, feel free to comment and Share again and/or copy the link from YouTube and email it to folks you know worldwide!
This is also the time when we need to start counting voices for this year's season. If you haven't yet cast your "vote," here is the LINK for this year's returning member's survey to let Alissa and Wendy know that you plan on participating. I'm also including a LINK to the Members page of our website (remember the password? hint: pschoir) for a listing of rehearsal dates and times. Remember, members who participate in 70% of the virtual season will not be required to sing a voice-check for the 2021-22 season.
From Alissa: Use your singing voice and keep those chords in shape. Singing the Mozart with us on the 14th will be fun and a great vocal exercise. Remember, staying connected to our choral community isn't merely healthy for active members, it also benefits our alumni and our community supporters. In addition, if we don't use it, we lose it!
From Wendy: Many thanks again for your work on the Lift Every Voice project. Our video is getting an amazing response. Thank you for being part of change, hope, and unity. I am so grateful for your singing and dedication. Here are some comments for YOU. Enjoy!
You are a beacon of hope and light for so many! I love this arrangement!
What a wonderful rendition.Thank you Portland Symphonic Choir️️️️
Fantastic work Dorcas Brown Smith a beautiful work of art on every level. Thank you and all who sing with you for lifting us up by lifting your voices
I cried. This is one of the most beautiful and moving things I’ve heard all year. Thank you for sharing!
Thank you for your stunning arrangement, voice, and spirit, Dorcas Brown Smith. You all lift up our heads at a time of need. Sharing.
Powerful message, beautifully done! I have been amazed at the technological skill that "orchestrates" these virtual choirs!
Absolutely beautiful!
Marvelous! And a marvelous use of technology. This ought to get wider coverage.
Beautiful...timely...uplifting...more power to you! May it inspire and encourage all throughout our country who hear it. Thank you so much, Dorcas, for (true to form) giving such heart and abundant talent to this project. And kudos to the Choir for such a lovely rendition.
Tears! Deeply powerful and moving
Beautifully done and very moving. Thank you for raising up Black voices and supporting the movement.