Portland State University’s Chamber Choir, directed by Dr. Bruce Browne, professor of music and director of choral studies, traveled to Europe last month to compete in two prestigious choir competitions. The choir won five major awards against some of the world’s best ensembles from Europe, Japan, Turkey and The Philippines. In the first competition, the Caecilia Choir Days International Choir Competition in Lindenholzhausen, Germany, the men’s ensemble won first prize in Male Choirs, while the chamber choir took second prize in Mixed Choirs.
Next, they traveled to Marktoberdorf in Bavaria for the world’s most prestigious choir event, the biennial International Chamber Choir Competition. Again, the men’s ensemble shone, receiving second place. The chamber choir won third place and also received the prize for Best Interpretation of a Contemporary Choral Work with their performance of American composer Eric Whitacre’s “Water Night.”
The next opportunity to hear the award-winning chamber choir will be during the Alumni Concert Oct. 3.