The Conchords Chorale was formed April 6, 1982 as a community choir drawing members from the greater Portland Metropolitan area. We meet weekly to rehearse a wide variety of music. The members all share a love for music and our common goal is to entertain while expressing this enthusiasm through singing.
From September to November the group prepares a Christmas program that is performed during 10-12 concerts offered in December. From January to May the group prepares a program of pop, show, folk, and jazz for 10-12 concerts in May and June.
Recruitment for choir members takes place each September and January when vacancies in sections occur. Notices of those openings are placed in local newspapers. We also receive recommendations from current members. We are a non-audition choir, but it is helpful if new members have prior music experience (high school, college, etc). Sight-reading music is not required.
Since 2009 we have had the pleasure of partnering with the Portland Rose Festival Foundation to bring music to Rose Festival events.
Originally, we were an outgrowth of a choral class at Portland Community College. Some of the class members wanted to continue singing together and decided to meet privately. Over the years, the group has grown from the original six to more than 50 voices, and the technical and artistic support of a director, an accompanist, a percussionist and a sound technician.
The Conchords Chorale was incorporated in 1984 and became a 501(c)3 charitable, non-profit organization in 2009, whose purpose is to “teach and train its members in musical harmony and appreciation (and) to give public and private performances…”. Our goal is to make a difference in the community through musical performances.
Past Directors:
- 2006-Present – Don Anderson
- 1992-2006 – Janet Howland-Rierson
- 1984-1992 – Marian Stebinger
- 1983-1984 – Steve Galvan
- 1982-1983 – Floyd Weaver
