Uniting Voices Chicago (formerly known as Chicago Children’s Choir) inspires and unites youth from diverse backgrounds to become global leaders through music.
Founded in 1956 as the Children’s Chorus of the First Unitarian Church of Chicago in direct response to the civil rights movement, Uniting Voices Chicago is rooted in the belief that music is a vehicle for fostering empathy and respect between young people of all races, ethnicities, socioeconomic backgrounds, religions, gender identities and sexual orientations.
Since its founding, the organization has grown from a single choir into a vast network of school and after-school programs that serve thousands of students every year. The organization offers a performance-based learning experience built around innovative creative partnerships and compelling artistic endeavors, from appearances at Lyric Opera of Chicago and Ravinia Festival to one-of-a-kind features on major recording projects such as Chance the Rapper’s “Coloring Book” (2016) and “The Big Day” (2019).
For more than half a century, the organization has developed programs that embrace the racial and economic diversity of Chicago, making a high-caliber musical education available to any singer who wants it. Accessibility forms the foundation of the group’s signature world-class instruction. Eighty percent of our youth live in low-to-moderate income households, and every year, these 4,000-plus students participate completely free of charge. Whether they’re just getting started or are already seasoned performers, youth from every corner of the city discover how to make their voices heard through Uniting Voices Chicago’s empowering programs.
Please note: Biographies are based on information provided to the CSO by the artists or their representatives. More current information may be available on websites of the artists or their management.
