Portland State is now home to an internationally recognized chamber choir. After a long journey from Portland to Gorzia, Italy (located near the border of Slovenia), PSU’s Chamber Choir was awarded the Grand Prix at the 52nd annual Seghizzi International Choral Competition.
“I think this award recognizes that Portland State is one of the strongest choral and vocal programs in the country,” said Ethan Sperry, the director of the Chamber Choir. “I think this has been true for a long time—much longer than I have been here—but external recognition is important.”
The competition featured 22 top choral groups from a roster of 21 countries that included Austria, Israel, Puerto Rico and Indonesia.
“I hope this will help us attract the most promising young singers and choir directors to come and study here,” Sperry said.
“I also hope it is a mark of pride that all students of Portland State can carry with them, to know that members of our community have achieved international distinction for their abilities and hard work.”
The group’s appearance at the competition was the culmination of more than a year’s worth of fundraising activities.
Finalists were determined based on their scores for performances of works from classical categories; the ensembles selected to compete in the finals were able to perform pieces from any genre. The PSU Chamber Choir’s set included Eric Whitacre’s “A Boy and a Girl”; “Desh,” as arranged by Ethan Sperry; “Pater Noster” by Giuseppe Verdi; and “Blessed Art Thou O Lord” by Sergei Rachmaninoff.