Sirpo, Boris

Conductor Boris Sirpo taught in Portland colleges, founded and conducted several musical ensembles, and organized music events.

Sirpo received a distinguished musical education in his native Finland and in conservatories throughout Europe. He founded the conservatory of music in Viipuri, Finland and conducted the Viipuri and Helskinki symphony orchestras. He immigrated to America in 1940 to escape the Russian invasion of Finland. With his student and foster son, the Finnish violinist Heimo Haitto, he toured the United States, performing concerts for Finnish relief. Sirpo and his wife Greta settled in Portland in 1943, where he directed the Marylhurst College String Department. In 1945, Sirpo began a twenty-one year career at Lewis and Clark College. The following year, he established the Portland Chamber Orchestra.

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