Portland State University professor Ethan Sperry and the Portland State University Chamber Choir were honored recently by the Oregon Symphony with the Jordan Schnitzer Wonder Award for 2021.
The Schnitzer Wonder Award is given annually to a youth arts organization that builds community through their outstanding work inspiring the next generation of artists and/or student musicians. The Schnitzer Wonder Award was created in 2015 by Jordan Schnitzer to honor his parents, Harold and Arlene Schnitzer, and their commitment to philanthropy, fairness, opportunity, education and creativity as the heart of a strong and vibrant community.
The award was announced at the Oregon Symphony’s 2021 gala in April 2021, a live-streamed event celebrating Jean Vollum Music Director Carlos Kalmar’s 18-year tenure on the podium. The virtual event featured performances by Symphony musicians, guest artists and friends, including Joshua Bell, Wynton Marsalis, Pink Martini, Chris Thile, Emanuel Ax, Edna Vazquez, the Portland State Chamber Choir and more.
“One of my favorite things to do here in Oregon during my entire time as music director has been working with young musicians,” said Kalmar during the event. “I’ve had the opportunity to work with so many wonderful organizations who are building the next generation of artists and arts lovers in our own community. This year, we honor a group that you all will recognize because you have seen them on stage with the Oregon Symphony in the Schnitzer Concert Hall. I'm proud to present the 2021 Schnitzer Wonder Award to Ethan Sperry and the Portland State University Chamber Choir.”
At the virtual event, viewers were treated to a video featuring the Chamber Choir performing “Blossoming Lotus” by Shiva Bharadwaj and H. M. Bhaskar, arranged for choir by Ethan Sperry. The video was filmed at Portland’s Lan Su Chinese Garden, outdoors with masks and social distancing.
“I am thrilled to accept the Wonder Award on behalf of the Portland State Chamber Choir,” said Ethan Sperry. “Our collaboration with the Oregon Symphony over the past eight seasons has included some truly extraordinary opportunities for the students. Getting to work regularly with Carlos Kalmar and sing everything from Handel’s Messiah to Stravinsky’s Persephone in one of the most creative stagings imaginable, to Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. What more could you ask for? We are so excited to continue this collaboration in three subscription concerts next year with their new music director, David Danzmayr.”
The partnership between the Oregon Symphony and Portland State Chamber Choir is particularly meaningful for Kris Kern and Sue Horn-Caskey, who are both members of the PSU College of the Arts Dean’s Council and the Oregon Symphony Board. The opportunity to share the talents of the Chamber Choir with the Oregon Symphony’s supporters was a special point of pride for them.
“The Oregon Symphony Gala 2021 reached over 6,800 viewers across multiple platforms--so many eyes and ears on the award-winning Portland State Chamber Choir!” Horn-Caskey enthused.
“Sue and I are delighted to serve on both the College of the Arts Dean's Council and the Oregon Symphony's Board of Directors,” said Kern. “We are so proud of the Chamber Choir and its director, Ethan Sperry, for receiving the Schnitzer Wonder Award this year.”
The award comes with a $10,000 monetary prize from Jordan Schnitzer and the Schnitzer CARE Foundation. The funds will go to help support the continued work of the Chamber Choir at Portland State.
To make a gift or discuss options for supporting the PSU Choral Program, contact:
Jaymee Jacoby
Assistant Vice President for Development
503.890.4962
jacobyj@psuf.org
Or, make a gift online at https://giving.psuf.org/choir