Ensembles

With the Portland Center for the Performing Arts (PCPA) and other performance venues nearby, students enjoy many opportunities to hear the finest musicians in the world. Students gain practical performance experience by participating with many professional and pre-professional groups including Portland Opera, Portland Symphonic Choir, Oregon Symphony Orchestra, Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, Musical Theater Company, and the Portland Youth Philharmonic. No other institution in the state offers so many opportunities for young musicians.

LARGE STUDENT ENSEMBLES

Chamber Choir
This internationally recognized choir is the only choir in the Northwest to sing at both the American Choral Directors Association and Music Educators National Conference Conventions. The choir is under the direction of Dr. Stephen Coker and tours every year both nationally and internationally. An audition is required. The choir rehearses about five hours each week and features 24-42 singers. Multiple performances are scheduled each term.

University Band
This large band is truly the University's band with membership available to students and interested community musicians. The band rehearses three hours per week. Membership is open to all without audition.

Jazz Lab Band
This ensemble performs Jazz literature in a big band setting. The ensemble is under the direction of Professor Charles Gray. An audition may be required. The band rehearses three hours per week.

Symphony Orchestra
This outstanding ensemble performs major symphonic repertoire from the Classical Era to the 21st Century. The orchestra works collaboratively with faculty, Oregon Symphony members and internationally known guest artists, and hosts a yearly concerto competition. The PSU Symphony received a First Prize in 2007 for Adventurous Programming from ASCAP and the American Symphony Orchestra League. There are four hours of rehearsal per week. An audition is required.

University Choir
This choir is truly the university's choir, with membership available to all students and interested community musicians. Membership is open to all without an entrance audition, but new members should expect a placement audition during the first class meeting. The choir rehearses three hours per week and features 60-115 singers. Two performances are scheduled each term.

Wind Symphony
This ensemble is under the direction of Dr. Edward Higgins. The wind symphony is a select group of wind and percussion students. The symphony rehearses three hours per week. An audition is required.

Women's Chorus
This choir is under the direction of one of the department's talented graduate teaching assistants and is open to all female students. An audition may be required. The choir rehearses three hours per week and features 20-35 singers. Performances vary each term.

CHAMBER MUSIC ENSEMBLES

The department supports many smaller ensembles that include clarinet, flute, guitar, French horn, trombone, percussion, brass, strings, and woodwinds. Vocal ensembles include Madrigals and Vocal Jazz Ensembles. An audition is required.

Jazz Ensembles
The department offers many opportunities for Jazz performance through ensembles like Chamber music: Jazz Combo. In addition, Jazz Arranging and Improvisation classes offer students the opportunity for hands-on performance experience. Professor Charles Gray is Director of Jazz Studies. An audition is required.

New Music Ensemble
Seeking to broaden the musical experience of performers and listeners, PSU's New Music Ensemble explores recently composed and current musical repertoire and facilitates active creative involvement among its performers. Repertoire ranges from student compositions and structured improvisations to more established contemporary works. Although the instrumental combinations change from term to term, one can reliably expect the music to be both provocative and unpredictable.

Opera Workshop
Students may audition for opera workshop to study the skills of the singing actor, stagecraft, and prepare opera scenes that are presented at the end of each term on and off campus.

Opera Production
Portland State University has a 30 year tradition of opera productions. It is the only university in the state that produces a full opera with orchestra each year. Recent productions of The Marriage of Figaro (1999) and Don Giovanni (2002) received first place awards in the National Opera Association Production Competition. Internationally recognized artists such as Marilyn Horne, Sherrill Milnes, Martina Arroyo, Maestro Stephen Crawford and Director Tito Capobianco come to Portland State University each year through the Jeannine B. Cowles Distinguished Professorship to share their expert knowledge and understanding with the students as they prepare the opera. Operas are chosen that best represent the talents and skills of Portland State University students. The operas are double cast whenever possible to provide more students with an opera performance experience. (For more information about PSU Opera Production, please click HERE)

THINK LINCOLN CONCERT SERIES

The Department of Music, in cooperation with the Student Music Board, hosts weekly concerts every Tuesday and Thursday from Noon till 1:00 pm. Performances feature student, community, and professional musicians. Concerts take place in Lincoln Recital Hall, Room 75. To secure a Tuesday performance date, please contact musiccom@pdx.edu or call 503-725-9504. Detailed concert listings are published at the beginning of each quarter and available in the Music Office.

FACULTY PERFORMANCE GROUPS AND COMPOSERS

Florestan Trio
This nationally recognized trio has recorded for PBS and toured Japan. Compact discs are available on the Gagliano label. The ensemble features Janet Guggenheim (piano), Professor Carol Sindell (violin), and Professor Hamilton Cheifetz (cello).

Ensemble Viento
This faculty ensemble has performed throughout the Northwest. Compact discs are available on the Centaur label. The ensemble features GeorgeAnne Ries (flute), Karen Strand (oboe), Dr. Stan Stanford (clarinet), Professor Larry Johnson (French horn), and Dr. Ann Crandall (bassoon).

Trio Spektrum
This ensemble has presented concerts nationally and recorded a compact disc of Czech music. The ensemble features Emeritus Professor Dr. Marilyn Shotola (flute), Dr. Stan Stanford (clarinet), and Professor Emeritus Tomas Svoboda (piano).

Faculty Composers
The department boasts many active and published composers whose works have been performed across the globe. Composers include Professor Emeritus Tomas Svoboda, Professor Bryan Johanson, Dr. Brad Hansen, Professor Darrell Grant, Professor Charles Gray, Instructor Jon Newton, and Dr. Bonnie Miksch.

Return to Top