5 Portland Activist and Community Choirs to Know

"One thing all choruses have in common? The way they bring people together, whether to belt out Bowie's "Starman" or release ear-piercing shrieks, intentionally or otherwise. When picturing a choir, one might imagine a robed church or chamber ensemble swaying through hymns and liturgical anthems, perhaps some Christmas tunes, instead of the long legacy of protest and resistance found in, say, folk music. But Portland's music scene has a tradition of subverting expectations, and its choirs are no exception."

"While it rehearses in a church and looks the part of a schola cantorum, A Notion, A Scream performs only music by living composers and songs with a message of social justice. Founded in 2024, the group raises its voice to benefit local causes, like the LGBTQ+ community organizations Rahab's Sisters and the Marie Equi Center. In January, the choir will sing in support of the Land Back community space Prismid Sanctuary,"

"More drop-in rock show than formal choir, the Low Bar Chorale doesn't rehearse or hold auditions. Cofounder Ben Landsverk designed the group for people who think or have been told they can't sing. "You don't have to be an Olympic athlete to go running," he says. A decade ago, the group began as a singalong at Revolution Hall to memorialize David Bowie. Eight people singing "Space Oddity" turned into a chorus of thousands of strangers performing Prince's "When Doves Cry" at Pioneer Courthouse Square."

Choral singing reflects global, millennia-old traditions and spans liturgical hymns, folk protest songs, and contemporary styles. Portland choirs often merge classical presentation with modern missions and community activism. A Notion, A Scream rehearses in a church yet programs only living composers and social-justice songs, fundraising for local LGBTQ+ organizations and supporting Land Back community space. Low Bar Chorale functions as an audition-free, drop-in rock singalong for those who doubt their voices, growing from a small Bowie memorial to massive public performances and continuing regular communal events alongside established popular artists.

Read at Portland Monthly