December 14, 2019
Program Notes
Our season-long celebration begins with our annual holiday concert, “Don We Now…” featuring holiday hits from our 40-year history and seasonal classics, plus a performance of “Gloria” by composer John Rutter! The concert will culminate with an invitation to WCPA alumni and directors in attendance to join the choruses on stage for the singing of “Walk Hand in Hand”, a trademark song in the chorus’ vast repertoire of music!
Welcome – From the Artistic Director
Congratulations to Windy City Gay Chorus, who celebrates its 40th anniversary with tonight’s concert! Forty years of inspirational singing and community building is an amazing accomplishment. Windy City Performing Arts has helped the Chicago community process four decades of LGBTQIA+ milestones with songs of comfort and inspiration. I am repeatedly inspired by the passion and commitment that the singers from both Windy City Gay Chorus and Windy City Treble Quire bring to their rehearsals and concerts.
We have already begun laying the groundwork for the next forty years. Our new mission statement is “Windy City Performing Arts sings to inspire change, celebrate diversity, and honor the dignity of the LGBTQIA+ community.” We reaffirmed our commitment to choral masterworks, and we have acknowledged our role as advocates for our community. Given these priorities, we are excited to explore the commissioning of new substantial choral works that speak to the LGBTQIA+ experience, the first of which will premiere this June at our Pride concert. This July, WCPA will perform in Minneapolis at the quadrennial GALA Festival. There are many magical musical moments awaiting Windy City Performing Arts, and many triumphs in store for the LGBTQIA+ community. We intend to meet each step forward with song and heart. Here’s to forty more years of PRIDE and MUSIC!
Our season-long celebration begins with our annual holiday concert, “Don We Now” featuring holiday hits from our 40-year history and seasonal classics, plus a performance of “Gloria” by composer John Rutter! The concert will culminate with an invitation to WCPA alumni and directors in attendance to join the chorus on stage for the singing of “Walk Hand in Hand”, a trademark song in the chorus’ vast repertoire of music!
Eric Esparza
Artistic Director
Windy City Performing Arts 