OSU Meistersingers, directed by Russ Christensen, is a 60 member men’s chorus. This auditioned ensemble
performs each term, tours regionally, and frequently entertains at community, university, and sporting events.
In the Spring of 2009, Russell Christensen became the choral director for the OSU Meistersingers men’s chorus, after 16 years as choral director at Sprague High School in Salem, Oregon. Christensen holds a bachelor of arts in music education from the University of Oregon, and a master of arts in music education from Western Oregon University. Choirs under his direction have been selected to perform at national, regional, and state conventions of the American Choral Directors Association and Music Educators National Conference. During Christensen’s tenure at Sprague, the school’s Concert Choir placed at the ACDA/OSAA State Choir Competition every year including winning nine championships. In 2000, the Sprague music department was chosen as the National Grammy Signature School by the GRAMMY foundation.
Christensen was named Oregon Music Educator of the Year for 2007 by the Oregon Music Educators Association. In 2004, The Oregon Symphony Association in Salem recognized him as Music Educator of the Year. He is also the first recipient of the Western Oregon University Alumni Excellence Award in Music. Russ is a member of ACDA, OMEA, and MENC and has held various offices within these professional organizations.
