Saint David of Wales Episcopal Church, 2800 SE Harrison, will host Steven’s Monday group and Aaron’s Tuesday group starting this fall

We’re so fortunate to have had supportive building partners who enable us to lease our rehearsal and performance spaces for a very reasonable price.

Our Southeast Portland host, the Colonial Heights Presbyterian Church, dissolved in January and the property is now owned by the regional Presbytery office. With the future of the building uncertain, all of the building’s tenants have moved or are seeking other spaces. The building manager was kind enough to allow us to use their building through the end of our summer session.

I’m happy to report that PDX Vox just signed a rental contract with a building just a short block away. Steven’s Monday group and Aaron’s Tuesday group will now rehearse at Saint David of Wales Episcopal Church on SE Harrison St.

Katy’s Monday group, Hannah’s Thursday group, and our new Wednesday group led by Marie and Rachel will rehearse at our usual Northeast Portland location, 1820 NE 21st Ave.

After our announcement about PDX Vox’s upcoming leadership changes, we received lots of questions about what PDX Vox will look like this fall and beyond. Read on for answers to some of our most common recent queries.

Q: Will Marie still be around this fall?

A: Yes! In addition to behind-the-scenes support while new owner Molly Mickley takes over the reins, Marie will have an active role in our choir program this fall. She will be co-leading Wednesday evening rehearsals while mentoring our newest instructor-in-training, Rachel Evered!

Q: Will Aaron still lead a choir now that he’s serving as PDX Vox Music Director?

A: Yes! Just as Marie led choirs for many years while serving as our music director, Aaron will continue to lead the Tuesday choir.

Q: Are there going to be a lot of changes to the program under the new leadership?

A: Molly has been a part of PDX Vox as a singer for many years, and neither she nor Aaron intend to make major changes at this time. Of course, just as one of Marie’s strengths has been to be forward-thinking and open to change when it’s called for, Molly and Aaron will strive to be flexible and responsive leaders. So, you’ll see a few changes here and there, starting with the new Wednesday group and instructor-in-training coming up this fall!

Aaron Elliott leading a Summer Sing in 2022

Our summer drop-ins are open to all, and are a great opportunity to check us out, bring a friend, or stay connected with PDX Vox before the Fall Semester begins. You can sign up ahead of time using the button below, or just show up a few minutes early on any of the evenings and pay at the registration table with cash, check, or a credit card.

We’re excited to teach you some of our favorite songs from the 2022-23 sessions! Here’s the schedule:

• June 21: “Blinding Lights” (The Weeknd) and “The Chain” (Ingrid Michaelson)

• June 28: “Blue Bayou” (Roy Orbison) and “Home” (Edward and the Magnetic Zeros)

• July 12: “Lesson Learnt” (Aaron Taylor) and “America” (Simon & Garfunkel)

• July 19: “Oh, What a World” (Kacey Musgraves) and “No Shortcuts” (Heather Maloney and Darlingside)

• July 26: a sing-through of all 8 of our summer songs, plus an open mic! Audience members can drop in, but if you’d like to be added to the set list please email Alison with the song title and the original artist’s name.

Molly Mickley (center) and Chuck Mickley catch up with their choirmate Anne Marie Evered at a PDX Vox kick-off rehearsal

I’m excited to be letting you all know that Molly Mickley will be stepping in as the new Owner and Managing Director of PDX Vox over the coming months.

Molly has sung with PDX Vox since 2011 - and usually with more than one group!  PDX Vox is an important part of her musical, social and emotional life, and she is 100% committed to sustaining and nurturing the organization. She brings a background in business and law to the role, and she knows PDX Vox intimately through her many years of singing with and supporting her groups.

While Molly will be the Owner of the business and the Managing Director, long-time instructor Aaron Elliott will step into the role of Musical Director and Head Instructor, so he will be managing the instructors and program-related matters. This is also fantastic news for PDX Vox, as Aaron has a special combination of talents and skills that make him perfectly suited for this role, after over 10 years teaching with the organization.

In addition, Alison Jakel will stay on as the Program Administrator. She is also a valuable resource to our organization in numerous ways and has raised the level of professionalism and singer support in PDX Vox since joining our team in 2019.

I'm excited and grateful that Molly is stepping in to lead the organization, and I'm looking forward to working with her between now and the end of the year to ensure a smooth and successful transition. She and I will share the Managing Director role until December 31st, then I will hand over the reins at the end of the year.

I’m also grateful that Aaron will be stepping into a leadership role, and Alison will be provided solid administrative continuity during the transition. The three of them will make a stellar leadership team!

PDX Vox is stronger than ever, and as hard as it is to step away from this beautiful community of singers, I know that it will grow in amazing ways for many years to come.

Warmly,
Marie