Struck by Portland’s lack of a civic chorus, C. Robert Zimmerman, with the help of radio station KGW and the blessing of Mayor Earl Riley, held auditions for a new choir. ”
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August 1945
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The first months
With its inaugural rehearsal on September 5, 1945 the Portland Symphonic Choir has its first appearance soon after in October for for the Victory Loan Drive, broadcast from the Multnomah Hotel.
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September 1945
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First major performance
On December 30 the Choir sings Handel’s Messiah at the public auditorium, conducted by Eugene Lindon. By all accounts, the performance was a “delightful and refreshing experience” (Moore’s Oregon Weekly) and was “musically excellent” (The Oregonian). ”
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December 1945
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Celebrating new citizens
The Choir performs at a reception to welcome newly naturalized citizens and took place on George Washington’s 214 birthday. ”
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February 1946
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First Spring Concert
The Choir presents its first spring concert with a varied program that included madrigal singers as well as “The Men About Town” quartet.
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April 1946
““The progress report of the Portland Symphonic Choir indicates that although still in its infancy it is a strong husky “babe” whose organization in which we all can take real civic pride. I, for one, am very proud of the results of your first years effort and I am very happy to have had even a small part in nurturing the seed which has developed into such a fine example of cultural and civic achievement in our own beloved city...”
—Earl Riley, Mayor of Portland”
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September 1946
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Karl Ernst steps in
Zimmerman takes leave from the choir to pursue a masters degree in choral conducting at Juilliard and at Tanglewood under Robert Shaw. In his absence Ernst, who was the supervisor of music in the public schools, stepped in to take over directing responsibilities. ”
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April 1947
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Broadcast coast to coast
NBC broadcasted a coast-to-coast 1/2 hour program of the Choir singing “Christmas Carols of Many Nations.” Letters of thanks came from all over the country and beyond including Wisconsin, Rhode Island, Illinois, Florida, New York, Washington D.C. and British Columbia. ”May I thank you for the beautiful Christmas program which your chorus broadcast last Saturday. In my memory it will remain as the most artistic I’ve ever heard....”
— Avis Eliven-Charbonnel, Rhode Island
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December, 1947
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Bob Zimmerman Returns to Portland
Upon completion of his studies in New York, Zimmerman returns to Portland to take over the Portland Symphonic Choir as well as joining the faculty at University of Portland. ”
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September, 1948
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the choir performs its first beethoven 9
The 160-member choir performs with the Portland Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Werner Janssen to a packed audience. “The Symphonic Choir seems to improve with each hearing. Its members could not be given too much praise for their really superb singing Monday night. Their director, C. Robert Zimmerman, shared in the tremendous ovation given Mr. Janssen; soloist, choir and orchestra.” (The Oregon Daily Journal) ”
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