December 16, 2023
Program Notes
Join Windy City Performing Arts for “Angels Among Us,“ our 2023 Holiday Concert! This concert is a beautiful exploration of the angels from a variety of ideologies, angels found in Christmas carols, Judaic messengers, to the Islamic angel Israfel which the Koran states has the sweetest voice of all. The concert turns from the beauty of the heavens to the mortal challenges on earth in the work “The Ecstasies Above” by Tarik O’Regan. “Angels Among Us” suggests that angels are found not only in the heavens but also found in the magnificent people all around our community, uplifting all that are in need. The angelic voices of our choirs will conclude with classic holiday favorites like “Deck the Halls”, and more!
History
The Windy City Gay Chorus and Windy City Treble Quire are the two choruses that operate under the Windy City Performing Arts non-profit umbrella and sing to inspire change, celebrate diversity and honor the dignity of the LGBTQ+ community. Each ensemble performs a variety of musical styles from classical to pop with a clear focus on musical excellence regardless of the style of music.
The choruses have a long history of performing major choral works including commissioned pieces. In September 2003, the ensembles made history by becoming the first choruses in a Gay, Lesbian Bisexual and Trans (LGBT) organization to sing the National Anthem at an Illinois professional sporting event, at the Chicago Free Press sponsored “Out at the Ballgame” day at U.S. Cellular Field, opening for the Chicago White Sox vs. Cleveland Indians game.
The Windy City Gay Chorus and Windy City Treble Quire have a rich and rewarding history that has continued to find our singers performing in a number of enriching venues, including the Steppenwolf and Redmoon Theatre companies, at the opening ceremonies of the modern wing of the Art Institute, and at Carnegie Hall as part of the Susan Komen Sing for the Cure project. Members of our choruses have most recently shared the stage with Hugh Jackman as part of his concert in Chicago, performed at Ravinia with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Maestro Marin Alsop, and appeared in January at a Chicago Bulls game to sing the U.S. National Anthem.
The Windy City Gay Chorus and Treble Quire comprise four sections, which includes tenors (1 and 2), baritones and basses for the Gay Chorus; and, sopranos, mezzo-sopranos, and altos (1 and 2) for the Treble Quire. The separateness of the choruses and their ability to work together coupled with a high degree of technical ability creates an agility that is rare among the LGBTQ+ choral movement.
Windy City Performing Arts 