Sitting down with Rachel Bard, one of the many non-music majors in our choral department, to discuss her goals, experiences, and what led her to PSU.
by Shayla Bailey
February 10, 2023
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Rachel Bard is majoring in History with a double minor in Judaic Studies and Medieval & Early Modern Studies, and is on track to graduate sometime in the 2024-25 school year. She has always enjoyed history and was inspired to pursue her current degree path after attending a “History of Antisemitism” seminar during her sophomore year at PSU. Post-graduation, she’s interested in being a formal researcher, and a consultant for historical media in movies and on TV.
After the Chamber Choir came to sing for the Pacific Youth Choir, Rachel chose to apply to PSU. She was accepted into both Portland State and the Chamber Choir, and is now enjoying her sixth year as a soprano with the ensemble! During this time, she has had multiple opportunities to travel with the choir internationally, most recently enjoying a trip to Lisbon, Portugal for the 2022 World Choral Expo. She likes singing historical choral pieces in the environments studied in her classes, and applying her experiences overseas back into her degree.
Following a major health scare that left her unable to participate in the ensemble, Rachel reflects that ”getting back into choir was one of the things I fought really hard to get better for.” She values the supportive environment Chamber Choir has to offer, and the friends she’s made there. “Finding that sense of community was really important. It’s been the best place for finding people.”
You can sing in whichever choir works for you while completing any of Portland State’s 200+ degree programs. Learn more about PSU Choirs here.