Benefit Concert Voices For Ukraine Unites Portland Choirs -04/06/22
Portland, Ore. (April 6, 2022) — Voices for Ukraine unites five of Portland’s finest choirs in a benefit concert to raise funds for the crisis in Ukraine.
VOICES FOR UKRAINE
A benefit concert for Mercy Corps’ emergency response in Ukraine
Sunday, May 1st, 2022, at 4:00 p.m.
First United Methodist Church, Goose Hollow (1838 SW Jefferson St, Portland)
Tickets on a sliding scale from $40 to $500, with net proceeds to Mercy Corps
Website: www.voicesforukraine.org
Five of Portland’s best community, professional, and student choirs will perform on the May 1st concert. The Portland Symphonic Choir, Cappella Romana, Oregon Repertory Singers, PSU Chamber Choir, and Grant High School’s A Cappella Choir will all perform (180 singers in total).
The repertoire will include some of Ukraine's best-known choral works. All five choirs will perform Ukraine’s national anthem and Mikola Lysenko's “Prayer for Ukraine.” The concert will culminate with Arvo Pärt’s Da Pacem Domine (Give Peace, O Lord).
During the program, representatives from Mercy Corps and members of Portland’s Ukrainian community will speak about the need to help alleviate the suffering of the Ukrainian people.
Ticket prices start at $40, with net proceeds going to Mercy Corps. The choirs plan to raise over $50,000 for Mercy Corps’ emergency responses in Ukraine. Globally, the conflict’s far-reaching effects include food shortages and flight by refugees. Voices for Ukraine hopes to be one of many events around the country that bring the musical community together in support of those ravaged by the war.
About Mercy Corps:
Mercy Corps is a global team of humanitarians working together on the front lines of today’s biggest crises in more than 40 countries around the world to create a future of possibility, where everyone can prosper. 84% of Mercy Corps team members are from the countries where they work.
About the Choirs:
Portland Symphonic Choir www.pschoir.org
Established in 1945, the Portland Symphonic Choir has a long and rich legacy of singing the choral masterworks with excellence and passion while engaging and inspiring the community. The members are both professional and volunteer singers from all over the Portland area. Under the Artistic Leadership of Wendy Bamonte and Dr. Alissa Deeter, the Portland Symphonic Choir continues a reputation of excellence and dedication through creating powerful, accessible choral experiences for all kinds of music enthusiasts— from the experienced musician to the brand-new listener.
Cappella Romana www.cappellaromana.org
Cappella Romana is Northwest's leading professional chamber choir, dedicated to combining passion with scholarship in its exploration of the musical traditions of the Christian East and West, music emanating from Byzantium and its Slavic commonwealth. Founded by music director Alexander Lingas in 1991, Cappella Romana performs in Portland and Seattle and regularly tours nationally and abroad, most recently (Sep. 2021) at the Utrecht Early Music Festival in the Netherlands. Cappella Romana’s over 25 recordings under its Cappella Records label include Lost Voices of Hagia Sophia, posting 44 weeks on the Billboard Classical Chart 2020-21.
Oregon Repertory Singers www.orsingers.org
Founded in 1974, Oregon Repertory Singers is a premier choral arts non-profit organization that performs music both rare and recognizable, encompassing a multitude of eras, languages, and musical styles.With over 90 members, ORS is a close community of singers from all walks of life throughout NW Oregon and SW Washington.Both experienced and versatile, ORS performs repertoire from the newest generation of composers alongside celebrated choral masterworks and music from other cultures and countries. ORS is directed by Ethan Sperry.
Portland State University Chamber Choir www.psuchamberchoir.com
Classics Today calls The Portland State Chamber Choir “amongst the finest choirs in the world.” Since its founding in 1975, the Chamber Choir has performed and competed in venues across the country and around the world, earning over 30 medals and awards in international choir competitions including being the only American choir to have won the Seghizzi International Competition for Choral Singing in Italy in 2013, and the Bali International Choral Festival in Indonesia in 2017.
Grant High School’s A Cappella Choir www.grantchoir.org
The A Cappella Choir is the Grant Choir Program's flagship choir that represents Grant in both district and statewide festivals. Conducted by John Eisemann, the choir is an auditioned, mixed ensemble that emphasizes advanced vocal production, sight-reading skills, musical literacy, listening skills, and personal dedication. Musical selections are from all time periods, styles, and cultures around the globe and throughout music history.
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