Connecting with Coty: September Sentiments and Reconnection
Connecting with Coty: September Sentiments
Looking In to Look Forward
Hello, Beautiful Spirits!
I hope this message finds you wrapped in the last golden rays of summer, both in energy and weather, as we step into fall. Whether you are a peer in music education, a fellow citizen of this shared land, or one of the young people I'm so proud to be an ‘Auntie’ to—I've missed you! Welcome back to this little corner of the internet.
First, I wanted to say thank you to my friends at Regence and Nike:
Reimagine What’s Possible was the theme of this year’s Women’s Leadership Summit at the Nike Campus that I had the honor of being the Keynote for this year!🤯 So wonderful to hear the phenomenal panelists Lori Spencer, Erin Hubert, Ashley Comeaux, and Leslie Harterberg and to work with and watch Christine Pitawanich lead as our fantastic host and moderator was watching elegance at work!
There are stars all around me!🤩
Having my new ensemble CHROME perform and help me lead the audience of over 500+ in a community sing was BEYOND special!
The PSU Choir social justice initiatives now have five community choir communities serving citizens in recovery, housing, instability, public education, and other marginalized communities. A huge thanks to Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Oregon for your generous donation to my continued research and work, bringing music education to the community! And thanks to Julie Lee and Little Bird Media Solutions ❤️ y’all are visionaries and superheroes for putting this event on!
Want to support these efforts and more? Click the link below and designate that you're donating to the fund for "Choir, Music Education, and Social Justice with CRM".
Soaking in the sun in South Dakota at their summer ACDA conference!
For many of us, this season rings with the sound of hope—the buzz of curiosity in hallways and the echo of questions that are just waiting to be asked. It’s a powerful reminder that someone somewhere is trying to solve a problem. And one of the many things I love about education is that it’s synonymous with opportunity. That is to say, where there are children, there is hope. The future problem solvers of the world are looking to their elders as problem solvers just as much as they are looking to be part of the change themselves.
Sometimes innovation comes in the form of not just looking forward, but looking back. So what opportunities lie in reflection? While revisiting my “Wellness Bank,” I considered that what used to serve me in different areas of life may no longer be for me. However, that is not to dismiss them! As a matter of fact, I am grateful to “past-Coty” for the observations and practices that sustained her for a time. But to quote Bob Dylan, “The times, they are a-changin’ “.... These changing times present the opportunity for intentional preparation, innovative solutions, and relearning how we as individuals and our communities can thrive.
These resources are great for building wellness awareness and guiding an ensemble through intrinsic and extrinsic growth. Can be adapted for any age or grade level. Can work easily with an individual or even your entire program! Includes example assignment and videos, templates, and printables!
In my next letters and videos to you, we will take a deeper dive into each segment of the wellness bank, but until then, there’s some opportunities coming that I would love to share with you in the hopes that we can connect heart to heart - song to song.
Guest Artist Residency with Columbia Choirs
November 7, 2026 — Guest Artist Residency Finale Concert We open the season by welcoming our Guest Artist in Residence, Coty Raven Morris—a Grammy-nominated educator, composer, and sought-after conductor and speaker, as well as an advocate for well-being through the arts. Her residency brings all eight choirs of Columbia Choirs together across four generations of singers, and her work speaks directly to the heart of our season: caring for ourselves so we can better care for one another. This finale concert celebrates a week of learning, connection, and community singing.
Class is in SESSION at Music Workshop!
Coty’s Classroom offers quick, actionable tips and insights for teachers. These videos will guide you on how to seamlessly integrate music into various subjects, manage your classroom with confidence, empower your students, and build positive, supportive learning spaces. Each video offers practical and actionable strategies you can apply right away.
Introducing CHROME
CHROME is an engaging, versatile, and heartwarming project-based ensemble in its inaugural 2025–2026 season. Founded by renowned educator and conductor Coty Raven Morris, this dynamic collective unites Portland State students, alumni, and community singers who share a passion for eclectic performance and fresh repertoire.
In November 2025, the CRM Collective premiered at the Taste of Equity Gala, hosted by the Portland Art Museum. They have captivated audiences with a surprise flashmob experience, inviting local singers to learn and perform in only one day, and performed a powerful set at the Annual Oregon Business Leadership Summit. They have also recorded newly commissioned works for Carl Fischer Publishing, cementing their role as creators of new choral music.
Looking ahead, the Collective prepares for the 2026 Nike Women’s Day Invitational, upcoming collaborations with recording artists, and intimate concerts that showcase their signature blend of soul, precision, and joy.
This is a vibrant, project-based home for singers who crave excellence and community in concentrated bursts. Interested in raising your voice? Auditions are held by invitation for each project.
Visit cotyravenmorris.com for upcoming opportunities.
Program from the RavenSong Choral Series!!!
I am thrilled to reveal my exclusive new choral series with Carl Fischer Publishing: RavenSong. This deeply personal collection, featuring all-new works set to my own poetry and texts, is a dream realized. Curated with pieces by myself and other exceptional composers who have interpreted my words, this collaboration marks a profound milestone. And now we can celebrate that 3 of the releases were selected for the JWPepper's Editor's Choice list! WOW! Check them out today!
Featured Compositions:
I Can Be Better: Learn More at JWPepper and Carl Fischer
Red Velvet: Learn More at JWPepper and Carl Fischer
Who I Want to Be: Learn More at JWPepper and BriLee
I Want to Be the Sun: Learn More at JWPepper and Carl Fischer
Dancing Leaves:Learn More from Yale and NextWorks
Upcoming Opportunities: Connection + Community
As you go into the days ahead, I hope this can be a beacon of light. Remember the power of care. For others and for yourself.
Feel free to share this with anyone you believe needs it. And thank you for letting me share this with you.
I'd love to hear or get your questions via email on with me on Instagram and TikTok @cotyraven!
With joy,
Coty Raven Morris
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