In 2003 Estonian Composer Veljo Tormis heard the Portland State University Chamber Choir while they were on tour in his country. Tormis was so taken with the brilliant artistry and expressive power of the ensemble he requested that Bruce Browne and his singers do a CD of his music sung in English. For almost two years the Singers, their conductor and the composer worked together on this project. Tormis was very prominent in the interpretation. He supervised the learning of the music in preparation for the Chamber Choir"s appearance at the Northwest Convention of the American Choral Director"s Association 2006. On American Shores is a recording of significance and integrity by both Composer and Artist.