March 2, 2013
Program Notes
A concert of hope, survival, and support filled with emotionally moving songs about wind, sea, and rain. Join Windy City Gay Chorus and Aria as we present “A Flood of Hope”, a Hurricane Sandy Relief concert benefiting the Ali Forney Center in New York City for homeless LGBT youth that was destroyed in last fall’s devastating storm on the east coast.
• WINDY CITY PERFORMING ARTS •
Windy City Performing Arts (incorporated in 1983) is the independent not-for-profit umbrella organization comprised of Windy City Gay Chorus and Aria. Each chorus performs a variety of musical styles from classical to pop. We pride ourselves on musical excellence regardless of the style of music, and have a history of performing major choral works including specially commissioned pieces.
Embedded in the spirit of every performance and outreach event that our choruses participate in is our Mission Statement: Windy City Performing Arts celebrates diversity, honors creativity, and cultivates pride through the transformative power of music and the arts.
• WINDY CITY GAY CHORUS •
Founded in October, 1979, Windy City Gay Chorus is the oldest gay chorus in Illinois and the Midwest, and one of the first gay choruses organized in the country. WCGC is a founding member of the Gay and Lesbian Association of Choruses (GALA). WCGC’s first performance was in December of 1979, at the “Don We Now” holiday concert at Stages Music Hall. Windy City Gay Chorus has performed in cities throughout the country, and has been lauded by the Illinois House of Representatives, the mayors of Minneapolis-St. Paul, Denver, Washington, D.C., San Francisco, Seattle and Chicago mayors Richard M. Daley and the late Harold Washington. Now in its 34th season, WCGC has been a long-standing and well-established beacon in Chicago’s LGBTQA community, and a recognized name in choral arts circles throughout the country. The chorus has a commitment to performing music that is as challenging as it is entertaining.
• ARIA •
Aria was formed in 1996 as the small, women’s ensemble of Windy City Performing Arts and Unison: Windy City Lesbian and Gay Singers. Aria quickly became an audience favorite at concerts and special appearances, performing at GALA Festival 2000 in San Jose to rave reviews. In 2006, Aria became a full-fledged chorus and currently identifies itself as Windy City’s “Treble Chorus”, on occasion including male singers. Aria embraces its role as a totally inclusive chorus, singing music that not only entertains but reminds us of our diversity.
Windy City Performing Arts 