Special Sessions and Outreach

Read on to discover the exciting lineup of opportunities hosted by the Oregon Repertory Singers Youth Choir for the 2025–2026 season!

While singers enrolled in our full-year Youth Choir program enjoy weekly honor choir-style rehearsals and performances with professional ensembles, residencies with composer/educators, commissions, recording projects, and headline concerts—we are equally excited to open our rehearsal spaces to area choir singers with invitationals, providing thoughtful music education development opportunities with festivals, and clinics designed to inspire and celebrate musical growth all year.

These experiences are crafted to inspire singers, strengthen choral skills, and foster musical community—whether students join for a single day, a few weeks, or the full year. Mark your calendar and sign up for each event using the links provided below.

We can’t wait to welcome you into our vibrant musical organization to SING, ENGAGE, and BELONG! Please feel free to reach out if you have questions or if you’d like printed materials to share.

With excitement for the season ahead,

Aubrey Patterson, she/her
ORS Youth Choir Artistic Director & Conductor (High School & Chamber Choir)

ChoirFestNW

Middle and High School Developing Choir Members
Directors may bring a group of singers, or their entire ensemble, to participate in this skills-building workshop to invigorate their winter season.

November 13, 2025 | 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM

Patricia Reser Center for the Arts
12625 Crescent St.
Beaverton, OR 97005

The third annual ChoirFestNW is a one-day festival focused on leadership, sight-reading, and ensemble skills. Middle and High School choir directors select singers from their program to attend ChoirFestNW who show promise of musical growth and leadership skills. Singers return from the festival with increased confidence when sight-reading and ensemble leadership skills.

Cost: $15 per singer

Deadline: September 24, 2025

Note: Enrolled ORS Youth Choir High School SATB Singers participate at no cost.

Enrollment for Ensemble Directors Only

Rising Voices

Middle School Choirs
Directors may bring their ensemble with one prepared piece and one work-in-progress for mini clinics and sectionals.

November 18 or 19, 2025 | TBA

Location TBA

Up to six area middle school choirs can participate in the inaugural Rising Voices, geared toward intermediate and advanced middle school ensembles. Choirs will bring one polished piece to be celebrated, as well as one work-in-progress to be coached. Our directors will engage in fast-paced, positively-framed on-stage mini clinics, as well as like-voice developmental sectionals on a new mass piece to be performed together at the close of the day. Singers will walk away with the ability to confidently navigate a festival and on stage adjudication, as well as work with mature voices and learn new repertoire. 

Cost: $10 per singer

Note: Enrolled ORS Youth Choir Middle School Singers participate at no cost.

Enrollment for Ensemble Directors Only

SPECIAL SESSION

Tenors and Basses, Grades 8–12
Open to all developing, motivated, and experienced tenor and bass singers grades 8–12.* Limited 100. Deadline October 31.

December 4, 2025 | 5:00 – 9:00 PM (plus 3 rehearsals)

Moreland Presbyterian Church
1814 SE Bybee Blvd.
Portland, OR 97202

Join the ORS Youth Choir for an incredible opportunity to learn, grow, and perform at the highest level! Over the course of three weeks, singers will rehearse under the direction of Artistic Director Aubrey Patterson and tenor-bass specialist Jimmy Brown, preparing for a clinic and performance with the acclaimed, Grammy Award-winning vocal ensemble Cantus.

This special opportunity is open to developing, motivated, and experienced tenor and bass singers in grades 8–12 (*grade 7 permitted with teacher recommendation). Space is limited to the first 100 voices registered by October 31, 2025.

Cost: $100 per singer



Deadline: October 31, 2025

Rehearsal Schedule: 
Wednesday evenings November 12, 19, & December 3
Times 6:00–8:00 PM

(Additional rehearsals may be required)

Concert Schedule (shared clinic and concert):
December 4, 2025 | 5:00–9:00 PM

Note: Enrolled ORS Youth Choir Tenor-Bass singers participate at no additional cost.

EchoChamber

High School Chamber Choirs
Directors may bring their ensemble with one prepared piece and ready to learn several selections for Solo & Ensemble Festivals that follow.

January 30, 2026 | 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM

Lewis and Clark College
Agnes Flanagan Chapel
615 S Palatine Hill Rd.
Portland, OR 97219

Celebrate the joy of small ensemble singing! EchoChamber includes individualized masterclasses for your chamber ensemble (4 to 16 singers¹) with tailored feedback and coaching from expert clinicians: Lewis & Clark College Director of Choral Activities, Dr. Katherine FitzGibbon (soprano); Lewis & Clark Visiting Professor of Music, Dr. John Cox (tenor); ORS Youth Choir Artistic Director (and Lewis & Clark College Voces Aureum conductor), Aubrey Patterson (alto); and ORS Youth Choir Tenor-Bass Conductor, Jimmy Brown (bass).

This low-pressure environment is the perfect “runway for success” for solo/ensemble festivals that follow, including training on carefully selected repertoire appropriate for small ensembles. Each high school chamber choir brings one prepared or partially workshopped piece to share and leaves with a second SATB chamber piece taught by expert singers, fully preparing your small group for their district ensemble festival.

Deadline January 12, 2026. Limit 9 ensembles.

Cost: $25 per singers²

¹OMEA ensemble size guidelines

²Lunch will be on your own. Approximately $10 for dining hall.

Note: Enrolled ORS Youth Chamber Choir singers participate at no additional cost.

Enrollment for Ensemble Directors Only

SPECIAL SESSION

Soprano & Alto Singers, Grades 8–12
Open to all developing, motivated, and experienced soprano and alto singers grades 8–12.*

March 11, 2026 | Time TBD (Plus three rehearsals)

First Congregational UCC
1126 SW Park
Portland, OR 97205

Rehearsal Location:
Moreland Presbyterian Church
1814 SE Bybee Blvd.
Portland, OR 97202

Workshop and learn alongside professional vocalists gathered from across the U.S., together with Portland Baroque Orchestra’s newest vocal ensemble and continuo players, as they explore newly discovered sacred music composed by cloistered nuns. Participation includes a 3-week special session with the ORS Youth Choir under the direction of Artistic Director Aubrey Patterson and soprano-alto specialist Katey Simmons.

This special opportunity is open to developing, motivated, and experienced soprano and alto singers in grades 8–12 (*grade 7 permitted with teacher recommendation).

Cost: $100/singer

Rehearsal Schedule:
Wednesday eveneings February 12, 18, & March 4
5:00–6:30 PM

(Additional rehearsals may be required)

Concert Schedule:
March 11, 2026 | Time TBD

Note: Enrolled ORS Youth Choir High School SA singers participate at no additional cost.