Music❯Classical

A unique and exciting new musical performance based on Anthea Kreston’s memoir, Crescendo: Chronicles of an Adventurous Violinist. In Crescendo, her enchanting and deeply personal memoir, Kreston writes about growing up in a well-to-do but difficult family in Chicago, leaving home at sixteen, studying at the ultracompetitive Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia (Hilary Hahn was a classmate), then leaving it all behind for a commune in Oregon. With a mix of thrilling violin performance and spoken word taken from her memoir, Anthea brings the audience through the journey of her life through live music and personal anecdotes. Link to Crescendo: https://a.co/d/08zOA141

In Buddhist thought, the Tree of Life is a symbol of awakening, wisdom, and the interconnectedness of all life. Its roots reach deep into the earth while its branches extend toward the sky, reminding us that each generation grows from those that came before and that our lives are shaped by the communities and traditions that sustain us.

Opening the PSU Choirs' concert season, "Tree of Life" explores these themes through music that spans continents and centuries. Performed by the PSU Chamber Choir, Rose Choir and Thorn Choir, the program pairs cherished works from the Classical choral tradition with music by a new generation of Southeast Asian composers. At its center is Indonesian composer Bagus Utomo's Gayatri, inspired by the legendary queen whose wisdom and spiritual devotion remain an enduring part of Indonesian cultural heritage. The concert also features works by Budi Susanto Yohanes, Ily Matthew Maniano and Matthew Lyon Hazzard. Several of these pieces will be recorded later this year by the internationally acclaimed PSU Chamber Choir at Skywalker Sound, offering audiences an opportunity to hear this music before it is released.

This concert will be performed twice: November 20 at 7:30 PM and Sunday, November 22 at 4:00 PM.

View the full 2026-2027 Choir Season, Tree of Life.

Learn more about the Portland State University School of Music & Theater Choirs.

Chatter PDX is a weekly performing arts series blending chamber music, spoken word, and coffee. Chatter occurs every Sunday at 10:30am, with each program bringing a unique mix of historic favorites, rarely-heard gems, and engaging contemporary repertoire alongside original spoken word by local poets and writers. Shows last approximately one hour. Tickets are available at ChatterPDX.org or at the door. Coffee and baked goods included in the price of admission! Check our site for the latest performer & programming information.