News and Accolades

Uniting Voices Chicago youth choir is headed to Kennedy Center in D.C.

This weekend, the sounds of the choir will fill an iconic stage.

Students from Uniting Voices Chicago are traveling to Washington, D.C., to perform at the Kennedy Center. The nonprofit unites kids and teens across the city to empower and celebrate their voices.

On Tuesday, they rehearsed at First Unitarian Church, at 5650 S. Woodlawn Ave. in Hyde Park, for their Kennedy Center performance.

"Singing makes me happy because I can really like express myself, and I get to learn all these new languages from these different cultures, and it's just really fun," said Margaret Cafarelli, a student with the Beverly Neighborhood Choir.

Uniting Voices Chicago Goes All Out For Annual Red Jacket Optional Gala

Uniting Voices Chicago (formerly Chicago Children’s Choir) took over The Geraghty to celebrate its always-festive Red Jacket Optional gala.

In his speech to the more than 500 attendees, Mayor Brandon Johnson reflected on United Voices’ impact. This kicked off an evening of riveting performances by the choir’s members, who sang Broadway classics and tunes from around the world.

The annual gala raised $1.5 million to support music programs in 88 Chicago schools.

Ayanna Woods — part of a very musical Chicago family — is taking the classical world by storm

Besides belting out Disney songs on road trips, Jamila and Ayanna also sang together in Uniting Voices Chicago. Performing in the citywide choir gave Woods a sense of “excellence and professionalism” that she still cherishes.

Documentary “Bridging Divides: Sharing Heartbeats” Featuring Uniting Voices Chicago to Come to National TV and Streaming

Director, producer and best-selling poet Susan Polis Schutz sees the constant conflicts being fomented as a sign of dangerous times. So in her latest film, Bridging Divides: Sharing Heartbeats, she brings viewers to hotspots around the world where groups known for historic conflicts are boldly breaking down barriers to create human understanding.

Uniting Voices Chicago, a 5,000 student strong choir fosters understanding between young people of all races, ethnicities, socioeconomic backgrounds, religions, gender identities and sexual orientations.

Choral Arts Society of Washington to Present ‘Carmina Burana’ with Uniting Voices Chicago

The Choral Arts Society of Washington is set to present “Carmina Burana” on April 7, 2024 at the Kennedy Center Concert Hall.

The program, which also features Uniting Voices Chicago, will be conducted by Josephine Lee and also features Ted Hearne’s “Partition.” Soloists for the performance include Amy Owens, Kyle Tomlin, and Vasil Garvanliev.

“This entire season has been full of incredibly diverse, talented female conductors and it is only fitting we include Josephine Lee and the wondrous youth of Uniting Voices Chicago,” said Tad Czyzewski, Choral Arts, Executive Director, in an official press statement. “They are a mighty force of harmony and alongside our Symphonic Chorus, will create an experience not to be missed.”

Your Guide to Black History Month Events in Chicago

February marks Black History Month and cultural institutions around Chicago are hosting events celebrating the city’s art and culture scene. Here are a few events you should check out.

Uniting Voices Black History Month Concert Series

The two-day musical celebration titled “Soul to Soul: The Evolution of African Music in America” will feature performances from nearly 3,000 youth from the organization’s CPS programs.

Stories from the 78: Soul to Soul

Tom Barnas from Stories from the 78 sits down with Lonnie Norwood, Director of Africana Studies, for a preview of this year's Black History Month Concert Series: Soul to Soul!

Uniting Voices Chicago inspires and uplifts students through music at Black History Month Concert Series

They're lifting their voices and supporting each other. It's held each year by Uniting Voices Chicago. Twenty-five hundred Chicago Public School students fill the seats at Chicago Symphony Center. CBS 2's Sara Machi reports.

Thousands Of Young Singers Trace Africa’s Impact On American Music At Symphony Center Concerts

A slate of concerts this week featuring performances by local youth will celebrate the history of Black American music and its African roots, from hymns and swing to Gullah shouts and Stevie Wonder.

Uniting Voices Chicago‘s annual Black History Month concert series returns 11 a.m. Thursday and Friday to the Chicago Symphony Center, 220 S. Michigan Ave. in the Loop.

Chicago Scene: Live performance from Uniting Voices Chicago

Watch a live performance of our "Let's Get Funky" medley from Voice of Chicago, under the direction of Lonnie Norwood, Conductor & Director of Africana Studies.

Martin Luther King III Delivers Keynote at UChicago’s Annual MLK Commemoration

Martin Luther King III delivered the keynote address during the University of Chicago’s 34th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Commemoration, held January 30 at Rockefeller Memorial Chapel. In his speech, King III addressed gun violence, voting rights, income inequality, and political activism, calling for an end to violence around the world.

Before a full audience, the commemoration commenced with a rendition of the hymn “Lift Every Voice and Sing”—often referred to as the “Black national anthem”—by Uniting Voices Chicago, formerly known as the Chicago Children’s Choir.

20 Ways to Celebrate February Holidays

More than 2,700 Chicago Public Schools students in the Uniting Voices Chicago education program will perform Soul to Soul: The Evolution of African Music in America at Chicago Symphony Center (Feb. 22-23). “This event brings together youth of all backgrounds to celebrate the diverse Africana cultures and histories that they have learned alongside one another,” says Uniting Voices Chicago President Josephine Lee. “Through this community, our singers are becoming global leaders as they harness the power of music to bridge social divisions and explore what unites us in our common humanity.”