December 5 & 6, 2003
Program Notes
Ring, Silver Bells, ring! Ring to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of Windy City Gay Chorus. Memorialize each year past and bless each year ahead. For some, ring to herald Advent, the coming of the Christ Incarnate as the baby Jesus. For all, ring to announce a wider Advent, the coming of God-With-Us in all forms for all faiths. Foreach of us, keep ringing! Call us into our perpetual advent…what Merriam-Webster calls our “coming into being.” Ring, Silver Bells, ring!
• 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 ten 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 