So who is this so-called “Henry?”
Henry Alexander is a composer, arranger, singer, music educator, and multi-instrumentalist. He recently graduated from Portland State University (BM Music Composition and Music Education.) where he studied with composer Kenji Bunch, and was a five-year member of the PSU Chamber Choir under the direction of Ethan Sperry. His choral piece "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening" was premiered by that ensemble at the 2022 NW American Choral Directors Association conference, performed at the 2022 IFCM New World Choral Expo in Lisbon, and workshopped by the Grammy Award®-winning group Chanticleer. His irreverent and comedic treatise on greed and capitalism “Ca$h Money” was also performed by the Portland State Chamber Choir. These pieces are both featured on the PSU Chamber Choir's new album release: “The Songs Remain”.
Henry hascreated many choral settings of existing music, including the pop song “Despacito,” the Louis Armstrong classic “What a Wonderful World,” and “Vale Decem” from the TV show Doctor Who, which was performed at the Oregon Symphony’s “The Sound of Space” concert. He has also done extensive arranging and score editing for The Portland Sage Singers, under the direction of Dr. Tim Seelig.
Henry's instrumental chamber music has been performed by the Arcadia String Quartet, Porchello trio, and workshopped by contemporary music trailblazers Hub New Music. His work was also featured at the 2023 Pentatonia piano composition challenge. In 2024, his original piano piece for four hands “The Customer is Always Right” was featured in Fear No Music’s “Locally Sourced Sounds” series “Demystifying New Music,” masterfully played by Monica Ohuchi and Jeff Payne.
Henry is also an instructor, currently teaching a beginning theory class at Portland Youth Philharmonic. He has experience leading ensembles, co-leading two extracurricular acapella groups and preparing his high school Tenor/Bass ensemble for city and statewide competition. He is currently the bass section leader in the St. James Lutheran Church choir.
In his free time, Henry enjoys spending time with friends and playing a variety of board, card, and video games.
