www.consonarechorale.org - Consonare Chorale - A choir local to Portland, Oregon directed by Georgina Philippson

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Consonare Chorale Guiding Principles

Consonare Chorale is an ensemble of passionate and accomplished musicians. Our name comes from a desire to come together "to harmonize, sound, and resonate" with the ideas and aesthetics encompassed in excellent choral literature. Via interpretation we are able to express the profound effect that music has in our lives.

FAQ's: Frequently Asked Questions

What type of repertoire does Consonare Chorale sing?

Concerts are thematically programmed and our artistic director makes a concerted effort to present concerts that are diverse and pleasing to the ear.

How large is the group?

The ensemble ranges from 35-40 singers and we sing from 4-16 parts. A majority of our literature is between 6-8 parts.

Where/when does the choir rehearse?

Consonare Chorale rehearses at Parkrose United Church of Christ 4715 NE 106th Avenue, Portland, Oregon 97220, located off of Sandy Blvd. Our rehearsals are on Tuesday evenings from 7:00-9:30pm. Rehearsals usually begin the first week of September. We observe a winter break from our first concert through the New Year. (mid-November – January 1st)

How many concerts does Consonare Chorale perform in a season?

The ensemble generally performs three concerts a season. We also look for opportunities to perform outreach concerts and take part in unique collaborations.

Where does Consonare Chorale perform?

Most of our concerts take place in or around metro Portland.

Are there fees/dues?

Members of Consonare Chorale pay a $45/mo. on a sliding scale to $30/mo. membership fee. Our artistic director and board of directors are committed to making participation a possibility through scholarship. Finances should not hinder participation.

When does Consonare Chorale hold auditions?

Auditions may occur throughout the year at the artistic director’s discretion, but they are primarily held between July - August. We auditioned between concert preparations should a need arise.

What is the audition process?

The audition will consist of vocalizing, sight reading, singing an excerpt of concert literature provided by the artistic director, Tonal Memory, and brief interview. Each audition takes about 30 minutes. Please see “audition” section on main page for great detail.

Core Values

Valuing our instruments and the vocal technique that is required to perform varied & challenging literature.

Providing a network of support and encouragement from within our ensemble that is palpable to our audience.

Unabashedly unleashing the energy and joy found in performing music.

Realizing the synergy of a diverse choir focused on a common musical goal.

Modeling a SATB choral ensemble to our community that reinforces a place for the arts after school, college, or just a long day at work!

Redefining our choral future through a creative collaboration/networking of patrons, venues, & choral music lovers.

Last Updated ( Tuesday, 12 January 2010 )

Meet our Artistic Director Georgina Philippson

Georgina Philippson is a native of the Pacific Northwest. In middle school (Independence, OR) she was exposed and immediately addicted to many different musical art forms under the direction of Russ Christensen. As a performing jazz singer, choral ensemble member and dedicated teacher Mrs. Philippson finds great pleasure in working with today's young singer. She earned her Bachelor of Music from Willamette University under Dr. Wallace Long, and her Masters from Portland State University under Dr. Bruce Browne. She also pursued a vocal jazz performance degree with Dr. Steve Zegree while attending Western Michigan University.

Early on, Mrs. Philippson had the pleasure of directing choirs for the Vancouver Public Schools. With a middle school program 360 musicians strong they experienced privately commissioned choral literature, local recruiting tours, and sang diverse vocal literature from Madrigals to Vocal Jazz. In later years she conducted a Men's Ensemble, Women's Chorus, Concert Choir, and Vocal Jazz Choir that maintained a rigorous high school performance schedule. One of the highlights was preparing "You Raise Me Up" to perform in concert with Josh Groban! During the 2005-06 season she directed Portland Boychoir Intermediates and Prelude Girlchoir who featured such guest artists as hammer dulcimer artist Malcolm Dalglish.

Many thanks to voice teachers and musical mentors Dr. Wallace Long, Dr. Kurt Alexander-Zeller, Dr. Steve Zegree, and Professor Diana Spradling for their attention to excellence, cultivating emotionally moving musical experiences and all within the framework of sound pedagogical practices. Continuing to advance a choral conducting craft and passion, she has attended Haystack's program in Cannon Beach, Oregon with Rodney Eichenberger and several conducting master classes. Working with young musicians continues to drive Ms. Philippson's work in the community. Whether a clinician at choral festivals or adjudicating at regional high school and middle school Solo & Ensemble, the excitement and energy around learning and performing great literature is invigorating! She presently resides in Vancouver, Washington and maintains a voice studio of classical, musical theater, and vocal jazz studies.

Jazz Delights...

Georgina served as Graduate Assistant to and member of the Grammy award winning vocal jazz ensemble Gold Company at Western Michigan University. After ten years at the Frank DeMiero Jazz Camp, it was apparent that Georgina loved studying, performing, and teaching vocal jazz; especially improvisation. She worked at the Eastern Washington University Jazz Dialog Camp, Edmonds SD jazz festivals, and attended numerous choir retreats as guest clinician and motivational speaker. She has performed with Clark Terry, Conte Candoli, Eric Verlinde, Steve Korn, Kristin Korb, Ted Kamp, Dave Barduhn, Kirk Marcy, Frank DeMiero, Louise Rose, Mac Potts, Kristina Ploeger, Dawn McCormick, and friends when we can get together to have a jam session!

Georgina has sung and/or recorded with ensembles including: Willamette University Chamber Choir, Willamette Singers, Frank DeMiero's Jazz Camp, Gold Company at Western Michigan University, Bravo! Vancouver Chorus, David York Ensemble, Willamette Alumni Choir to sing Josef Haydn's Mass in the Time of War at Carnegie Hall in 2006, Belle Voci Women's Ensemble, and currently sings with the First Presbyterian Choir in Portland, Oregon.

Singing is a means with which to touch people's lives. Ms. Philippson finds motivation and support as an active member of the American Choral Director's Association (WA Treasurer/Secretary), Music Educators National Conference, National Association of Teachers of Singing, and various organizations that propel the future of music education. Working with today's musician in developing and appreciating high choral art is a great privilege and challenge.

Currently, Georgina serves as Artistic Director and Conductor of Consonare Chorale, a group that she founded in the fall of 2006. As Consonare continues to experience organizational, as well as, musical growth we will continue to call Portland's choral landscape home. Consonare Chorale draws its members from the greater Portland, Oregon areas, as well as Kelso, Longview and Vancouver, Washington.

Last Updated ( Friday, 19 June 2009 )

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