About the Festival
Windy City Choral Festival
The Windy City Choral Festival features mixed choirs from across North America coming together to sing at Chicago’s Orchestra Hall at Symphony Center – home of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. The annual festival will take place March 21-23, 2024.
In addition to being part of the Windy City Festival Chorus, four choirs will be selected by audition to conduct stand-alone performances on stage during the finale concert. World-renowned choral conductor, composer, and Director of Choral Activities at Oklahoma State University, Dr. Z. Randall Stroope, will serve as Artistic Director and will lead the rehearsals and finale performance.
Chicago proudly offers some of the world ’s best museums, the highest buildings, the most renowned orchestras, and choirs, the world-class Brookfield Zoo, a beautiful lakefront skyline, and of course, Chicago dogs and pizza! With its wonderful musical heritage, Chicago will be the ideal host city to choirs around the country for this magnificent festival experience.
Z. Randall Stroope
World-renowned choral conductor, composer, and Director of Choral Activities at Oklahoma State University, Dr. Z. Randall Stroope, will serve as Artistic Director, and will lead the rehearsals and finale performance. Randall was a Professor of Music at three different universities (an Endowed Professor at two of them) – Rowan University (New Jersey), Oklahoma State University and the University of Nebraska. He now guest conducts and composes full time from his studio in Florida and in New Mexico.
Itinerary
Below is a suggested itinerary for the Windy City Choral Festival. Aside from rehearsals and performances, the itinerary can be changed and lengthened to meet the needs of your ensemble,
Day One: Thursday
- Arrive in Chicago and meet your Tour Manager
- Enjoy a panoramic city tour of
- Historic Downtown and the Loop
- Hotel check-in
- Dinner at a local restaurant
- Evening Festival Chorus Rehearsal
- Return to the hotel for overnight
- Director’s Reception with the other directors and Z. Randall Stroope
Day Two: Friday
- Breakfast
- Visit a museum (choose one: Museum of Science and Industry, Art Institute of Chicago, Adler Planetarium, Shedd Aquarium, Field Museum of Natural History)
- “Spirit of Chicago” Lunch Cruise, with dancing and time to mingle with the other choirs and have fun!
Afternoon free for sightseeing and shopping - Dinner, on own
- Evening Festival Chorus Rehearsal
- Return to the hotel for overnight
Day Three: Saturday
- Breakfast
- Morning Dress Rehearsal at Orchestra Hall
- Lunch, on own
- Windy City Choral Festival Finale Concert at Orchestra Hall at Symphony Center
- Following the performance, dinner at a local restaurant
- Return to the hotel for overnight
Day Four: Sunday
- Breakfast
- Check-out of hotel
- As time permits, visit the Navy Pier and Magnificent Mile for free time and shopping
- Depart for home
Contact Us
If you are interested in participating in the festival with your choir or would like to request tickets to the performance, submit this form or contact us directly at 800-395-2036 or [email protected]