June 20 & 21, 2003
Program Notes
Thank you for coming to celebrate your Pride with us. Windy City Performing Arts has a reason to be especially proud this year. We’re celebrating a birthday! One of our own is turning 10 this year, and we couldn’t be prouder. We’re delighted to feature Unison: Windy City Lesbian & Gay Singers in repertoire remembering their past, looking forward to their future, but overall showcasing the beautiful musicianship and glorious singing for which they have been acclaimed. Our program—Unison’s birthday celebration—epitomizes a successful journey from its beginning to the present, a diverse program as diverse as the singers in it, a grand transformation from its humble infancy to the precocious ten year old it has become. It is our wish that this program will make you yearn for many more to come.
• WINDY CITY GAY CHORUS •
WCGC, formed in 1979, is one of the oldest gay choruses in the United States and is a founding member of the Gay & Lesbian Association of Choruses (GALA). In 1982, they became the only openly gay chorus to ever win first place in the highly regarded Johnny Mann Great American Choral Festival, and in 1996 appeared in the Steppenwolf production of “Everyman”. The chorus has recorded three CDs, including “Legacy”, celebrating 20 years of song.
• UNISON •
Unison debuted at “Don We Now XIV” in 1992 and sang their inaugural concert in April 1993 with Chris Williamson and Tret Fure as guest artists. In only nine years they have become one of the premier mixed voice choruses in the GALA movement. In 1998 Unison won a Gay & Lesbian American Music Award for Best Choral Group recording for their performance of Jingle Bells on the CD, “Glad Tidings We Bring”. Unison has also released a solo recording: “One”.
• WINDY CITY SLICKERS •
In 1999, the Slickers released their solo album “Sunday” to rave reviews. The Slickers have become known throughout the country as one of the most entertaining and exceptional vocal groups in the genre. The Slickers perform original material celebrating/spoofing the gay community, parodies of some of your favorite songs and heart-melting ballads.
Windy City Performing Arts 