THE CHORISTER July 2015

Issue 2 THE CHORISTER July 2015

TABLE OF CONTENTS News from the Chair, Summer Fun �� 1 Artistic Director Finalist Robert Hawthorne, Future Social Events �� 2 Artistic Director Finalist Jason Sabino, Bylaws & Policies �� 3 Artistic Director Finalist Scott Tuomi, Host Needed �� 4 New Jackets, Important Contact Information �� 5

Notes from the Chair Greetings! Are you ready to “do-si-do” and “allemande left”? Well then, “promenade” right on over to the Oregon Chorale Summer Social at the IOFF (Odd Fellows) Hall, 267 Main Street, Hillsboro, OR 97123 on Saturday, July 18th from 4-8pm. We’re going to have some fun learning to square dance and then we’ll enjoy a potluck meal together. After that, the Board members and I are going to share with you the work that we’ve been doing over the past several months. That’s right, my buckaroos, we have a Plan. And part of our Plan for this coming year is to create TEAMS to work under each Board Position. We have clearly defined the tasks that fall under each Board Position and will present to you all the opportunities for you to sign up as a volunteer. There are many tasks that need to be accomplished throughout the year and everyone will have a chance to participate in some way, large or small. This Transition Year is foreign to all of us, regardless of how long you’ve been a member. But with everyone pulling together, we can accomplish a tremendous amount. We are facing questions and issues that we’ve never had to deal with before. The important thing is to be flexible and patient. And speaking for the Board, our most important responsibilities to the members are to be open, honest and over-communicate everything.I’m looking forward to the July 18th Social Event and seeing all of you. With everyone working as a team, I am positive we will have a hugely successful year and the Oregon Chorale will be ready to move into the next 30 years of beautiful music. Thanks, Karen Kenyon, Board Chair Summer Fun! Square Dance, Potluck, and Team Planning OREGON CHORALE SUMMER SOCIAL JULY 18TH 4:00-8:00PM IOFF HALL, 267 MAIN STREET HILLSBORO, OREGON 97123 Spouses/Significant Others are invited to the Dance and Potluck! Bring: Food for potluck – A-I main dish, J-Q salad, R-Z dessert or appetizer $6 to cover cost of the venue and caller. Board members will lead small groups to plan for a successful 2015-2016 year. Schedule: 4:00-5:30—Square Dancing with Chuck Garner 5:30-6:30—Potluck Dinner 6:30-7:30—Oregon Chorale Meeting 7:30-8:00—Wrap-up

1 Artistic Director Finalists Meet Robert Hawthorne December 2015 Concert Robert Hawthorne serves as the Director of Choirs at Tigard High School.An accomplished music educator, Robert is known for demanding excellence and good character from his students. Robert presented at 2013 All-Northwest Conference on the topic of inclusion in choirs and was honored to receive the Oregon Disabilities Mega Conference Educator of the Year for 2008. While the Music Director for 11 years at Christ Episcopal Church in Lake Oswego, Robert composed the two-volume Portland Psalter for the Episcopal Church, which is published by Church Publishing, New York. He has composed choral works for choirs in Oregon, Iowa, and Illinois. A graduate of Whitworth University, Robert enjoys coaching the Heated Hawks Unified Basketball Team for Hillsboro Special Olympics. Robert and Wendy’s daughter, Hannah attends Century High School and their son, Isaac, attends R. A. Brown Middle School.

What changes can I expect this fall? How can I get to know Robert Hawthorne, our Fall Artistic Director finalist? Robert Hawthorne will begin each rehearsal promptly at 7:30 p.m. We will have a break at 8:45 p.m. for Robert will hold Q and A sessions with Chorale announcements. Please let Karen Kenyon know before members on these dates: rehearsal if you would like to make an announcement. The break will last only 10 minutes. September 14 from 7 to 7:30 p.m. (before the first rehearsal) Robert will be rearranging our seating for rehearsal, so be prepared! The sections will sit in different places October 14 from 9:15 to 9:30 p.m. (except the altos), and we will have four rows of chairs. (at the end of rehearsal) Robert has requested a picture of each of us so he can November 14 from 11:45 to 12 p.m. learn our names and faces. Pictures will be taken at the (during the retreat) summer social, the kick off and the first rehearsal. We will also wear name tags this year during rehearsals.

Future Social Events This Fall we will plan another fun social event! Want to host? Have a good idea for an activity? Talk to our Social Committee Chair, Karen Stratton or email her at [email protected]

2 Artistic Director Finalists Meet Jason Sabino March 2016 Concert Jason Sabino is an active conductor, singer and clinician in the Portland area and has had success working with singers of all ages, genres and levels. Originally from the Philippines, Jason moved to the U.S. at age eight. He decided to become a music major in college after coming back to choir and never looked back. Jason received a B.A. in Choral Music from the University of Southern California in 2013 where he received the Choral Department Award as an outstanding graduate. During his time at Los Angeles, he performed with the USC Chamber Singers, student directed the CreSCendo Vocal Jazz Ensemble, and sang professionally around the Greater Los Angeles area. He also had the opportunity to sing back up for Barry Manilow and the Rolling Stones. Jason earned his M.M. in Choral Conducting at Portland State University where he studied under Ethan Sperry and was a graduate teaching assistant. At PSU, Jason co-conducted Man Choir, University Choir & Summer Chorus, and was assistant conductor for the award-winning Chamber Choir. He also conducted the Community Chorus, made up of PSU faculty, staff and alumni. Jason started the Graduate Teacher Education Program (GTEP) in June 2015 to earn a K-12 teaching credential for Oregon and his M.Ed. in Music. In 2014, he received the Dean’s Award for University Service in recognition of his efforts at PSU. Outside of PSU, Jason is also assistant Bylaws and Policies conductor of Pacific Youth Choir, where he conducts the Boychoir assistant conducts Pacific and Chamber In June 2016, all Chorale Members will be eligible to Choir. He has prepared PYC for the Oregon Symphony, vote for the new Artistic Director. such as the Star Trek and RePlay: Symphony of Heroes Under our Bylaws, the Board will propose one concerts. Jason is also assistant director of Choro in candidate for Membership approval. A 2/3-majority Schola, a non-profit organization that gives clinics vote is required. and performances to high school choir programs in need using professional choral singers. He has been a All Members will have opportunities to give feedback member of various professional ensembles, including to the Board about their opinions and experiences with the The Ensemble and Resonance Ensemble and is a each of the Artistic Director finalists through a survey session singer with Oregon Catholic Press. In his spare after each concert series. time, Jason enjoys video games, watching movies, hiking, and enjoying the Portland food scene.

3 Artistic Director Finalists Meet Scott Tuomi June 2016 Concert Scott Tuomi has performed to critical acclaim both nationally and internationally as a tenor soloist and choral conductor. Known throughout the Pacific Northwest for his performances in opera, oratorio and in recital, he has been a featured tenor soloist with the Oregon Symphony, the Prague Sinfonietta, Vancouver Symphony, the Florida Orchestra, Portland Baroque Orchestra, The Oregon Chorale, Mock’s Crest Theater, Portland Opera Players, Juniper Opera, Eugene Opera, Portland Symphonic Choir, Oregon Repertory Singers, Willamette Masterworks Chorale, Festival Chorale Oregon, and many others. In addition, he has been a guest artist at the Oregon Bach Festival and Peter Britt Music Festivals as well as with the Tucson Masterworks Chorale, the Montana Chorale, The Austin (Texas) Civic Chorale, the Pacific Northwest Chamber Chorus and the Third Angle New Music Ensemble. His repertoire a tour to Taiwan in January of 2015. The Chamber includes operatic roles as diverse as Ralph Rackstraw Singers have also appeared at various festivals and in Gilbert and Sullivan’s H.M. S Pinafore, Ferrando in conventions and most recently at the memorial Mozart’s Cosi fan Tutti, Jupiter in Handel’s Semele and service for Oregon governor Victor Atiyeh. He is an Camille in Lehar’s Merry Widow. established vocal teacher and is inconstant demand His oratorio repertoire includes a specialization in the as a clinician, educator and adjudicator for both solo Bach evangelist roles as well as the other standard vocal and choral music throughout the northwest. He oratorio repertoire. He has also shown a devotion to is currently Music Department Chair, Director of Choral the music of Benjamin Britten, singing many of the and Vocal Activities and Professor of music at Pacific orchestral song cycles including the Serenade for Horn, University. He is also director of the young men’s Tenor and Strings and his haunting Les Illuminations ensemble, Tsunami, which is part of the Pacific Youth as well as the title role in St. Nicholas. Tuomi has Choir group of choirs. He maintains a private vocal also performed as a featured recitalist in lieder studio in Portland and also directs the Balladeers at concerts including Schubert’s Die Schöne Müllerin and the Multnomah Athletic Club. He holds a Doctorate in Schumann’s Dichterliebe. He is a champion of new Vocal Performance and musicology from the University music performing the works of many contemporary of Arizona. composers. He has premiered new songs by Oregon composers Timothy Stephens, Brian Johansen and Jackie Gabel, performed in the North American premier in Ivan Moody’s Passion and Resurrection in the role of the evangelist and created the role of Prince Panji in the world premier of Vincent McDermott’s opera The King of Bali. Host Needed for Kick Off Party! Dr. Tuomi has conducted the Pacific University We are looking for a host for the annual Oregon Chamber Singers in concerts throughout the United Chorale kick off party during August. Please contact States and also internationally, recently completing Karen Kenyon at [email protected]

4 New Jackets for Women this Fall Lucy Tait, the wardrobe mistress has secured new jackets for the women of the Oregon Chorale. The jackets will be a dark red. The jacket is a long swing style - longer in back than in the front. The black dresses are also available if anyone needs one. The price is $44. Lucy believes the price would be $5 more for 1X to 4x, and $10 more for 5X. Those who sang in the last concert have already submitted ordering information. Lucy will send it in next week—the lead time is 8 weeks.. Sizes: XXs to 5X Prices: XXS to XL: $54 1X to 4X: $59 5X: $64

Contacting Your Board and Committee Chairs Entire Board: [email protected] Karen Kenyon, Chair: [email protected] Silverna Scott, Vice-chair: [email protected] Karen Stratton, Organizational Development: [email protected] Jenny Davis, Membership Coordinator: [email protected] Carol Shepherd, Publicity: [email protected] Mark Flannery, Secretary: [email protected] Ann Woods, Treasurer: [email protected] Kristi DeShazo, Venues Coordinator: [email protected] Other important email addresses: All Sopranos: [email protected] All Altos: [email protected] All Tenors: [email protected] All Basses: [email protected] Lucy Tait, Wardrobe Coordinator: [email protected]