As a non-auditioned choir, Aurora Chorus welcomes any self-identifying woman who shares our love of singing and our mission of inspiring and reflecting the universal yearning for peace. Our singers come from a variety of ages, walks of life, and musical skill levels. If you’re unfamiliar with Aurora’s style, you can watch our videos. The focus of the music selection is to express the universal yearning for peace and the power of women’s voices.
We sing 3 concert terms per season:
Fall Term (Sept. 14th -Dec. 16th)
International Women’s Day Term (Jan 4th -Mar. 3rd)
Spring Term (Mar. 14th -Jun. 1st)
To see our full calendar for 2023-2024, click here.
To see our full calendar from the 2022-23 season, click here.
Is Aurora for me?
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Yes! Many Aurora singers do not read music and learn exclusively by ear. Our director makes audio tracks every term to help people practice by ear.
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Yes! Aurora has been valued as a women-centered community space and trans women have been an invaluable part of our history. We strive to be a space that any woman who shares our values can come home to, regardless of her sex assigned at birth.
People define their womanhood on their own terms. If your relationship to your womanhood is fluid, complex, or non-conforming, Aurora may be a space for you to connect to it, without needing to find solid definition or a static identity in it. If you would find value in that, you are welcome here.
Our director has taught many transgender singers both in private voice lessons and in choirs, and has studied and written academic literature specializing in transgender vocal pedagogy. If you are worried about fitting into a mostly treble-voiced choir, let’s connect! Vocal therapy and 1:1 support can be provided as needed for transgender singers at no extra cost. If you have any other questions or concerns, you are welcome to email her personally.
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Yes! Members of our community who have contributed to the Eileen Spencer Fund ensure that singers can access financial aid when they need it. So far, no one has been turned away from Aurora for lack of funds.
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COVID-19 vaccinations and masks are now encouraged but not mandatory for singers.
Any singer who feels ill is asked to refrain from attending rehearsals and performances.
Aurora’s Board of Directors will continue to monitor updates from government and health agencies regarding safety while in public and our policy may be revised as needed.
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No, Aurora Chorus is a secular community chorus. We occasionally sing music from a variety of religious backgrounds, but generally sing very secular repertoire. Singers from any or no faith background are welcome to sing with us!
Singing in Aurora does require…
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You don’t have to be dead on every time. :)
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Three absences per term are permitted. During each term we rehearse:
Weekly on Thursday evenings
1 single Saturday morning for our Intensive
2 days of Retreat over a weekend
1 extra rehearsal for staging and lighting during concert week
Our regular rehearsals take place in downtown Portland on the Portland State University campus.
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We love to sing without looking at sheet music on concert day. We provide many resources to help you memorize music throughout the term! Some exceptions are made for foreign language pieces and for individuals who need extra support.
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Fees are important to help us to cover the costs of artistic staff, administration, sheet music, and venue rental, but donors to the Eileen Spencer Fund have contributed financial aid for singers who need it. So far, no one has ever been turned away from Aurora for lack of funds.
Click here to see fees for this season.
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We understand that you may not be able to continue a registered term with Aurora Chorus and in that event please
refer to this page for how to notify the appropriate person and for information on whether or not you will receive a refund (partial, full or none).
Notification Process: If at any time you are unable to continue with Aurora Chorus, please notify the Admin leader of
your section. You may notify the Admin Leader in person, via phone, or email.
Full Refund: Cancellations made on or before the date of the first payment is due will receive a full refund.
Partial Refund: Cancellations made on or after the date of the second payment is due will receive a partial refund (50%).
No Refund: Cancellations made less than 30 days prior to the concert date will result in forfeiture of the payment.
Donation Option: In lieu of a refund, individuals may choose to donate all or part of their payment(s) to Aurora Chorus
While we know that illness and other obligations sometimes do not permit continuing with our organization, we hope
you understand that we encumber expenses based on the initial number of registered singers. This process ensures that
cancellations are properly documented and communicated within the organization and ensures the financial stability of
Aurora Chorus.
