PSU Choirs' 2025-2026 Concert Series "Make Our Garden Grow"

November 14 & 15, 2025

The Portland State Chamber Choir opens its 50th season with NYC’s fearless Fourth Wall Ensemble. The program spans Monteverdi to Pulitzer Prize winner Caroline Shaw.

November 20, 22 & 23, 2025

The bold tunes and primal rhythms of Carmina Burana celebrate nature, the tavern, and the pleasures of love. It’s earthy and risqué, but sometimes also breathtakingly beautiful—like the soprano’s heaven-reaching solo—or raucous and rowdy, as the lusty drinking song, “In taberna.

December 5, 2025, 7:30 PM 

This concert brings together PSU's community choirs and the Rose, Thorn and Briar Choirs for a heartwarming winter celebration. The program weaves together sacred and secular traditions, embracing the season’s quiet reflection and communal joy through soaring harmonies.

December 12, 2025, 7:30 PM 

The renowned PSU Chamber Choir will perform a world premiere of Brad Hansen’s “Medley of Carols” with Darrell Grant at the piano. This joyful and uplifting music features the pianist in Jazz, Gospel, and Latin styles, delivered with serious choral artistry. 

February 22, 2026, 4:00 PM

PSU's Chamber, Rose and Thorn Choirs are joined by Citywide Choir featuring Michael Barrett. This concert centers on our communal roots and the deep power of musical storytelling. Expect music that challenges, uplifts, and celebrates our shared soil.

Friday, March 13, 2026, 7:30 PM

In the lingering glow of winter’s darkness, this concert unites PSU's community-centered choirs with special guests, weaving together winter solstice reflections, global choral traditions, and the warmth of holiday cheer.

Sunday, May 17, 2026, 4:00 PM

Celebrate 50 years of PSU Chamber Choir with what we expect to be the largest gathering of alumni voices ever assembled. Under the baton of Dr. Ethan Sperry, we reflect on decades of excellence with music by Whitacre, Esenvalds, Barber, Hogan, and more.

Friday, May 29, 2026, 7:30 PM

The Rose, Thorn, Briar, University, and Community Choirs present the final concert of the season, gathering the fruits of a year’s labor in a joyful, heartfelt celebration of growth, with music that honors transformation, resilience, and reflection.