Oregon Repertory Singers performs a wide variety of works from all time periods and languages, although, a special emphasis is placed on contemporary music of the Americas.  Since 1980 ORS has commissioned and/or debuted 20 new works by American artists.  In October 1988, ORS completed a four compact disc contract with Koch International Classics to record new American Music.  Discs that have been released include:  (1) Arvo Pärt's Berliner Messe and Lou Harrison's Mass to St. Anthony; (2) Libby Larsen's Missa Gaia and Stephen Paulus' Echoes Between the Silent Peaks; (3) the Glory of Christmas; and (4) John Corigliano's Fern Hill.

 

Other ORS recordings include a compact disc of Rachmaniov's Vespers with members of the Moscow Chamber Choir, Vladimir Minin, conducting.  In 1995 ORS was included, along with Chanticleer and The King's Singers, in a compact disc Christmas Around the Country, which was distributed nationally by National Public Radio.  And excerpt from the 1995 Glory of Christmas concert broadcast broadcast on NPR's "Performance Today" was so well received that two hour long specials on ORS followed.

 

During its 35th Season, ORS youth choirs, conducted by artistic director Kris Van Auken, commissioned "Mpaka Simba Watapo" by reknowned composer, Lee Kesselman for their African Celebration concert. At their spring 2009 concert, the Singers, under conducted by artistic director, Gil Seeley, performed "Earth Dewller" by composer, Michael Johanson, winner of the first Gil Seeley Prize in Composition, as part of their 4 Classics & a Premier concert. ORS also commissioned two works in the 1999-2000 Season: a photography piece by Portland artist Ron Cronin based on The Creation that was projected in dissolving slides above the choir during the performances, a 35 minute piece by Eugene composer Robert Kyr.  The latter debuted during the World Music 2000 concerts.