CHICAGO CHILDREN’s CHOIR
Annual Report 2019-20
Welcome & Overview
Watch Our Year in Review Video
Letter from Josephine Lee and David Koo
Dear Friends,
The young people of Chicago represent the next generation of global ambassadors and changemakers. Growing up in a dynamic, leading world city, our youth bridge the coasts of this land of opportunity, come to know peers different from themselves and learn to overcome adversity.
In 2019-20, our vibrant youth, and Chicago Children’s Choir singers in particular, once again proved their strength of character. They portrayed hope for universal peace in a remount of the Ravinia Festival production of Bernstein’s MASS, explored principles of non-violence in a concert celebration of the 150th anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi’s birth, honored Black History Month with a deep dive on voting rights and became champions of art, integrity and positive change in their own communities. Our young people are the foundation of Chicago Children’s Choir, an organization that celebrates the human spirit through challenging times.
“In this report, we highlight the many ways in which CCC charts an aspirational future, offering young people opportunities to express themselves through art and collaborate, even in a virtual environment. ”
From the launch of the Bucktown Neighborhood Choir to a record-breaking gala and performances with Chance the Rapper and Queen Latifah at the NBA All-Star Game, the Choir was on track for another banner year. As we all know, in March 2020, in-person programming was abruptly suspended by the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite this hurdle, the collective force of the CCC community rallied quickly to reimagine programs and maintain this pillar of support in the lives of young people across the city.
In this report, we highlight the many ways in which CCC charts an aspirational future, offering young people opportunities to express themselves through art and collaborate, even in a virtual environment. We are excited to meet the current need for connection and hope, thanks to your generosity and to the dedication of our Board of Directors, Ambassadors Board, donors, families, school and community partners and singers. The next generation is experiencing compounding crises, but we have many ways to create progress, build agency and make beautiful music.
Thank you for being our champion.
Gratefully,
Josephine Lee & David Koo
Josephine Lee
President and Artistic Director
David Koo
Chair, Board of Directors
CCC by the Numbers
Total Enrollment 2019-20
4,863 Singers
Program Breakdown
2019-20 Highlights
School & Community Partnerships
New Bucktown Neighborhood Choir
In fall 2019, Bucktown Neighborhood Choir became CCC’s eleventh Neighborhood Choir, made possible by generous contributions to the $12 million comprehensive Raising Voices Campaign.
Our COVID Response
Virtual Choir Performances
In response to in-person program cancellations due to COVID-19, Chicago Children’s Choir quickly pivoted to provide participants with uninterrupted resources and performance opportunities. CCC is committed to remain a steadfast pillar of support during this global challenge.
Social Action
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
In response to systemic racial injustice in Chicago and around the world, CCC reaffirms our commitment to the entire Choir family: amplifying bold voices for positive change, strengthening shared commitment to nurturing the next generation of empathetic leaders and supporting safe and informative spaces to further educate and act in the fight to end systemic injustice.
Our Community
Donor Spotlight
CCC donors made a significant impact on the Choir in 2019-20 and beyond. We are delighted to celebrate the Vandenberg Family, the MacArthur Foundation and William Blair, and remember Joyce E. Stralow Reichardt.