One of our last Summer Sings on the patio of Common Ground

Our registration process is slightly different this semester

We’re updating our singer database, and so we’re asking all singers to fill out one of two pre-enrollment forms in order to sign up for a choir. Once your form is submitted, you’ll be assigned to a choir according to your preferences and our space limitations, prior to being sent a link to make a payment.

If this will be your first time singing with PDX Vox, or you’ve been away for a while, please click on the link below and fill out the New Singer form on our website:

 New Singers Sign-up Form 

 Or, if you’ve sung with PDX Vox within the past couple of years, click the button below to sign up as a returning singer:

 Returning Singers Sign-up Form 

We currently have openings for new singers in 3 choirs:

• Mondays 7-9 pm with Katy Ohsiek
  (This group will spend 15-20 minutes each week on improving music reading and sight singing skills. Join this group if you are interested in sharpening your technical music tools as well as having fun preparing songs for performance!)

• Wednesdays 7-9 pm with Marie Schumacher and our new instructor-in-training, Rachel Evered

• Thursdays 7-9 pm with Hannah Hazelwood

Each of these three groups hold rehearsals at our Northeast Portland location (1820 NE 21st Ave).

Our two Southeast Portland groups, which are both now wait-listed, will meet at 2800 SE Harrison St.

We also have openings in our Free Bird program for returning singers who are interested in joining in on the All Group songs without committing to weekly rehearsals. More detailed information about this program is available on our Choirs page.

A note from our Music Director, Aaron Elliott:

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After digesting your feedback from last session (thank you!), we’d like your help in the all-group song selection process. Please use the link below to submit your ideas.

• All-Group Song Selection Survey - Please only submit one song per survey, but as many songs in individual submissions as you’d like!

• Background - Last session, instructors chose all-group songs and we’re/you’re wanting more input in the process

• Process - Instructors will ultimately choose all-group songs based on the the songs you submit

• Timing - Due to a tight turnaround in arranging, your suggestions will be considered 2 sessions in the future. Next up: Spring ‘24

Saint David of Wales Episcopal Church, 2800 SE Harrison, will host Steven’s Monday group and Aaron’s Tuesday group starting this fall

We’re so fortunate to have had supportive building partners who enable us to lease our rehearsal and performance spaces for a very reasonable price.

Our Southeast Portland host, the Colonial Heights Presbyterian Church, dissolved in January and the property is now owned by the regional Presbytery office. With the future of the building uncertain, all of the building’s tenants have moved or are seeking other spaces. The building manager was kind enough to allow us to use their building through the end of our summer session.

I’m happy to report that PDX Vox just signed a rental contract with a building just a short block away. Steven’s Monday group and Aaron’s Tuesday group will now rehearse at Saint David of Wales Episcopal Church on SE Harrison St.

Katy’s Monday group, Hannah’s Thursday group, and our new Wednesday group led by Marie and Rachel will rehearse at our usual Northeast Portland location, 1820 NE 21st Ave.

After our announcement about PDX Vox’s upcoming leadership changes, we received lots of questions about what PDX Vox will look like this fall and beyond. Read on for answers to some of our most common recent queries.

Q: Will Marie still be around this fall?

A: Yes! In addition to behind-the-scenes support while new owner Molly Mickley takes over the reins, Marie will have an active role in our choir program this fall. She will be co-leading Wednesday evening rehearsals while mentoring our newest instructor-in-training, Rachel Evered!

Q: Will Aaron still lead a choir now that he’s serving as PDX Vox Music Director?

A: Yes! Just as Marie led choirs for many years while serving as our music director, Aaron will continue to lead the Tuesday choir.

Q: Are there going to be a lot of changes to the program under the new leadership?

A: Molly has been a part of PDX Vox as a singer for many years, and neither she nor Aaron intend to make major changes at this time. Of course, just as one of Marie’s strengths has been to be forward-thinking and open to change when it’s called for, Molly and Aaron will strive to be flexible and responsive leaders. So, you’ll see a few changes here and there, starting with the new Wednesday group and instructor-in-training coming up this fall!

Aaron Elliott leading a Summer Sing in 2022

Our summer drop-ins are open to all, and are a great opportunity to check us out, bring a friend, or stay connected with PDX Vox before the Fall Semester begins. You can sign up ahead of time using the button below, or just show up a few minutes early on any of the evenings and pay at the registration table with cash, check, or a credit card.

We’re excited to teach you some of our favorite songs from the 2022-23 sessions! Here’s the schedule:

• June 21: “Blinding Lights” (The Weeknd) and “The Chain” (Ingrid Michaelson)

• June 28: “Blue Bayou” (Roy Orbison) and “Home” (Edward and the Magnetic Zeros)

• July 12: “Lesson Learnt” (Aaron Taylor) and “America” (Simon & Garfunkel)

• July 19: “Oh, What a World” (Kacey Musgraves) and “No Shortcuts” (Heather Maloney and Darlingside)

• July 26: a sing-through of all 8 of our summer songs, plus an open mic! Audience members can drop in, but if you’d like to be added to the set list please email Alison with the song title and the original artist’s name.