Chicago Children's Choir to Launch New Program in Englewood to Address City Violence Head-On

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Of the children served (ages 8-18) by the Chicago Children’s Choir, the majority come from low-income homes and would have no other access to music education. Photo Steve Kagan
Of the children served (ages 8-18) by the Chicago Children’s Choir, the majority come from low-income homes and would have no other access to music education. Photo Steve Kagan

Chicago Children's Choir, under the direction of President and Artistic Director Josephine Lee, will host its annual Paint the Town Red concert sponsored by Target on May 15, 2013, at 11 a.m. at Millennium Park's Pritzker Pavilion. This event will unite thousands of singers to spread the message of peace through the arts and raise funds to launch a new Englewood Neighborhood Choir Program in the fall.

"Violence in Chicago has reached epidemic proportions," said Lee. "We as a community must help our city's children find an alternative to the streets, and music holds the power to change their lives."

During this year's event, the Choir is asking singers to come together to promote peace and harmony in Chicago and in their own communities. The children will write wishes for peace and wear them on their Choir uniforms as they march hand in hand and sing as one voice throughout Millennium Park and Grant Park.

The Choir's goal is to raise $100,000 in order to launch and operate the Englewood Neighborhood Choir Program. The new program will offer a safe place for children during the dangerous after-school hours.

"Chicago Children's Choir has served as global ambassadors of our great city and the country since our founding during the Civil Rights Movement," said Lee. "We inspire children through music and give them a platform so that they can be part of the movement to improve their communities."

The Paint the Town Red concert is free and open to the public. Chicago Children's Choir is asking the audience to wear red on May 15 and make donations to help launch the Englewood Neighborhood Choir Program. Gifts can be made at www.ccchoir.org/support.

A press conference and reception will be held on April 23, 2013, at 5:30 p.m. at the Chicago Cultural Center on the 5th Floor in the Millennium Park Room to further explain the initiative. Please RSVP to ephipps@ccchoir.org.

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