Waukegan Concert Chorus and Waukegan Symphony Orchestra

The Waukegan Concert Chorus was established as a community chorus in 1976 to sing with the Waukegan Symphony Orchestra in a performance of Verdi’s Requiem. The members of the community recognized the great benefit of retaining such a cultural asset in the community and the Chorus continued as a independent sister organization to the Waukegan Symphony Orchestra. The Waukegan Concert Chorus has since brought great recognition to Waukegan, Lake County and the State of Illinois. It has toured to such prestigious venues as Lincoln Center and Carnegie Hall. It was honored as the first community choral group to perform at the Ravinia Festival with the Ravinia Festival Orchestra. The Waukegan Concert Chorus also joined the Chicago Symphony Orchestra Chorus for a performance and recording of Mahler’s Symphony No. 8, the Symphony of a Thousand under the direction of Maestro Eshenbach.

Today, the Waukegan Concert Chorus is more compact in its numbers, but not in its abilities. Audiences enjoy a wide variety of types of music sung by the Chorus, including classical, sacred and popular masterpieces. Rooted initially in the First Presbyterian Church of Waukegan where a large number of its members originated, the Waukegan Concert Chorus performed for a number of years in the gothic splendor of St. Anastasia Church in Waukegan. The Chorus returned to the First Presbyterian Church in the 2004-2005 season and remains there to this day.

The WCC is frequently joined by guests artists from the region. It accepts a number of non-subscription performance dates each year. Following the WCC’s years with the largest number of participants and the retirement of Don Horisberger, its director of eighteen years, the WCC has settled into a commanding chamber ensemble of approximately 30 singers. It offers its participants the opportunity to sing music that is not always well suited for larger numbers. Madrigals and show tunes mix with sacred and classical works to broaden the range and appeal of the Waukegan Concert Chorus. As the group moves into its 35th anniversary year with Mr. Randy Casey as its Music Director, the Waukegan Concert Chorus is enjoying new growth and new opportunities with Mr. Casey.

The WCC is an auditioned chorus using avocational singers. It occasionally mixes professionals amongst its ranks for larger works. The Waukegan Concert Chorus stands as one of the few major community choruses sponsored by a park district. The WCC has a proud tradition in choral music in Northern Illinois and it is proud to have the support of the Waukegan Park District and the Illinois Arts Council as well as a number patrons of the arts. The Waukegan Concert Chorus a diverse range of concerts for the enjoyment of its members and for the Waukegan and Lake County community.

We thank our supporters who contribute to the success of the performing arts in Waukegan.

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