Touch of Class Chorale is a community choir in Vancouver, Washington that was founded in the 1970s by Orrell Peru, director of the choral music department for the Battle Ground School District in Southwest Washington. His unique spirit and teaching style instilled a lifelong love of choral music in those he taught year after year, and as he neared retirement, many of his alumni students approached him with the request to continue singing with, and for, him in some way. Hence, the Touch of Class community choir was born.
Through several different iterations, the choir has continued to perform and share the joy of choral music in Clark County for 50 years. We have members today who were in the original group, singers who have been members for 10 or 20 years, and more recent members who joined a season or two ago. At its heart, Touch of Class is a family – a family created by the love of making music together, and a family bonded by caring for each other. Read more about us in this piece published by The Columbian.
We’re always looking for new singers to join our choir. No auditions or music reading ability are required. All we ask is that you come, love to sing and want to have fun doing it!
Our People
Allison King
Music Director
Allison King is enjoying a varied career with over 35 years of teaching, performing, and directing. A graduate of Portland State University’s vocal performance program, Ms. King has sung with the Portland Opera Company, and been featured with many companies in the west. No stranger to the Musical Theatre stage, Ms. King has directed, choreographed, stage managed, or appeared in over 60 productions. She has served as the music director for 5 Unitarian Universalist churches in the Portland area, and taught voice and choir at Portland Community College. She has a private vocal studio, and absolutely loves working with the Touch of Class Chorale.
Karen Dale
Accompanist
Board of Directors
President
Jane Hansen
Vice President
Beth Terry
Secretary
Joanne Granado
Treasurer
Laura Ross
Marketing Chairperson
Rebecca Schlessinger
Music Chairperson
Catherine Baker