Ethan Sperry
Host, Sounds ChoralHailed by The Oregonian for providing “the finest choral concerts in Portland in recent memory,” Ethan Sperry is Director of Choral Activities at Portland State University, where he conducts the world-renowned Chamber Choir and leads undergraduate and graduate programs in conducting. He is also the Artistic Director and Conductor of the Oregon Repertory Singers, one of the America’s most distinguished adult choruses. Choirs under his direction have performed at over a dozen ACDA and NAfME Conferences, won over thirty awards and medals at international choir competitions on four continents, and sung at The Hollywood Bowl, The Kennedy Center, and the United Nations. Under his direction in 2013 The Portland State Chamber Choir became the first American Choir ever to win the Grand Prix at the Seghizzi International Choral Contest in Italy, and in 2017 they became the first American choir to win the Grand Prix at the Bali International Choral Festival, the largest choral gathering in Asia.
Sperry has recorded albums for the Naxos and Gothic labels. His 2017 release The Doors of Heaven: Music of Eriks Esenvalds hit #1 on the Billboard Traditional Classical Chart and was named a “Recording to Die For” by Stereophile, both firsts for a University chorus. His 2018 release Shadows on the Stars: Music of Morten Lauridsen and Other Pacific Northwest Composers with Oregon Repertory Singers was awarded The American Prize in Choral Music.
A prolific arranger of World Music for choirs, Dr. Sperry is the editor of the Global Rhythms series for Earthsongs Music, one of the best-selling choral series in the world, and is also published by Hal Leonard. Sperry is also a frequent collaborator with film composer AR Rahman and has appeared as a guest conductor for him numerous times including at Bollywood Night at the Hollywood Bowl and the 2008 Filmfare Awards, the Indian equivalent of the Oscars. He also serves as a consultant for the KM Music Conservatory in Chennai, the first classical music school in India, which opened in 2009.
Born in New York City in 1971, Sperry began studying conducting at the age of eight, cello at the age of twelve, and singing at the age of eighteen. He has earned a bachelor's degree in Philosophy from Harvard College and Masters and Doctoral degrees in Choral Conducting from the University of Southern California. Prior to moving to Oregon, Sperry served for 10 years on the faculty of Miami University in Ohio where he conducted the Men’s Glee Club, Collegiate Chorale, and Global Rhythms Ensemble. He has also served as Artistic Administrator of the Arad Philharmonic Chorus in Romania and Conductor of the Coeur Regional de Guadeloupe, the only Symphonic Chorus in the French West Indies.
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The choral music of Southeast Asia is in the spotlight this week on Sounds Choral, as host Ethan Sperry is joined by composer Saunder Choi, a former…
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Sounds Choral this Sunday (4/25) features African-American spirituals as David Morrow, director of the Morehouse College Glee Club, joins host Ethan…
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Host Ethan Sperry presents a survey of the choral music of South Africa with composer and conductor Michael Barrett this week on Sounds Choral. Listen…
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Sounds Choral host Ethan Sperry presents an introduction to the choral music of Southeast Asia, including secular works from the Philippines, Indonesia…
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Sounds Choral host Ethan Sperry this Sunday (1/10 at 2 pm) presents selections from two masses for double choir - Ralph Vaughan Williams' Mass in G Minor…
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Ethan Sperry, Director of Choral Activities at Portland State University, and Artistic Director and Conductor of the Oregon Repertory Singers, hosts "A…
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This week's Sounds Choral explores the choral works of composer Veljo Tormis, whose music helped promote social change during turbulent times. Join host…
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Host Ethan Sperry devotes this week's Sounds Choral to Rachmaninoff's All-Night Vigil, preparation for a night of contemplation and prayer. Listen Sunday…
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Sounds Choral presents a special three-week series focusing on the way the Covid-19 pandemic has affected the choral world. Our regular roster of Sounds…
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Sounds Choral this Sunday (9/13 at 2 pm) introduces its latest new host - Ethan Sperry, Director of Choral Activities at Portland State University, and…