Boris Sirpo was the first Music Director of the Portland Chamber Orchestra founded in 1947. As former Conductor of the Viipuri Orchestra in Finland, Sirpo left his embattled country during WWII with the help of Herbert Hoover and came to the United States. After arrving in Portland, he became an active strings teacher, joining the music faculty at Lewis and Clark College. Many of Portland's finest musicians began their studies with Sirpo.
With financial help of the Finnish community in Portland and Hood River, he conducted his students in their first public performance which included the opera "Bridge of the Gods" with late tenor Jan Peerce. Sirpo was PCO's Conductor for 20 years.