News and Accolades

How Chicago’s Uniting Voices Choir Helped Close Out Djo’s Lollapalooza Set

Two days before they helped close one of the most memorable sets at this year’s Lollapalooza, the 40 teen singers in Uniting Voices Chicago’s top ensemble performed their newest arrangement to an audience of one: Joe Keery.

The former DePaul University student, Djo frontman and “Stranger Things” actor had come to a small rehearsal room on the North Side for a first listen to the choir’s reimagined take of the band’s song, “Back On You.”

“I think what made this experience so meaningful is that Uniting Voices really represents all of Chicago,” Velez-Lauria said. “Being on that Lollapalooza stage, performing as part of a group that reflects the full diversity of this city, alongside an artist like Joe who has ties to Chicago — it just felt like this culmination of everything we stand for.”

Djo Is Backed by Uniting Voices Chicago at Lollapalooza

Uniting Voices Chicago (formerly Chicago Children's Choir) joins Djo’s set at Lolla 2025.

Joe Keery's Djo delivers a love letter to Chicago: Lollapalooza review

Keery closed out the set with the tender, “Back On You,” joined by an actual chorus, the Uniting Voices Chicago, formerly the Chicago Children’s Choir. Choir director Josephine Lee led the young members, who angelically sang, “Come back home, buddy, I remember who you are, who you are” — marking the end of one heck of a homecoming.

Grant Park Music Festival Presents Carmina Burana with Uniting Voices Chicago

For over 90 years, the Grant Park Music Festival has offered free classical music in the heart of Chicago. On August 15th, experience the grandeur of Carmina Burana, featuring the Grant Park Orchestra and Chorus, three world-class soloists, and Uniting Voices children’s chorus. Giancarlo Guerrero conducts this season finale which also includes Rimsky-Korsakov’s Russian Easter Overture, and Alan Hovhaness’ Symphony No. 2, Mysterious Mountain.

Presented in Millennium Park, all concerts are free with open seating and lawn space available. The 2025 season runs June 11-August 16, with performances on Wednesdays and Fridays at 6:30 p.m. and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. For schedule updates and membership information, visit gpmf.org or follow Grant Park Music Festival on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.

Uniting Voices Chicago seeks new members

Review: CSO music-director-to-be Klaus Mäkelä faces his orchestra — and the work ahead

In the fifth movement, the treble voices of the Chicago Symphony Chorus and Uniting Voices Chicago (formerly Chicago Children’s Choir) melded, handsomely, into one ringing body.

Ravello Festival: A Musical Journey in 2025

The Program from July 11 and 13 On Friday, July 11 (8:00 PM), returns, again exclusively, a beloved American children's choir, the Uniting Voices Chicago directed by Josephine Lee, the flagship of a non-profit musical organization that has been promoting inclusion and youth training through music study and choral practice since 1956, involving thousands of children aged 6 to 18 from diverse backgrounds in the third largest city in the United States.

Uniting Voices Chicago President among elite Maine East alumni now part of ‘Wall of Honor’

An Emmy Award-winning and Grammy Award-nominated conductor, pianist, singer and producer, Josephine Lee is president of Uniting Voices Chicago (formerly Chicago Children’s Choir) and has spearheaded projects with Chance the Rapper, Yo-Yo Ma, Karol G and Andrea Bocelli, the website states.

“Lee’s original composition ‘Multiverse’ and other works highlight her innovative approach to music as a tool for cultural diplomacy and creative expression,” officials stated on the website.

Mäkelä returns to CSO with a thrilling and exuberant Mahler Third

The women of the Chicago Symphony Chorus and young singers of Uniting Voices Chicago provided bright and engaging vocalism in the penultimate movement, directed by James K. Bass and Josephine Lee, respectively.

Uniting Voices Chicago's Red Jacket Optional Gala Raises $2 Million To Support Youth Music Education

Uniting Voices Chicago hosted an exclusive night at The Geraghty to champion Chicago’s youth at its largest annual fundraiser, the Red Jacket Optional Gala. The evening featured a live auction and paddle raise paired with delectable dining and a grand afterparty, making for a lavish affair reflecting on the transformative power of music.

Nearly 600 attendees gathered to honor Emmy-winning and Grammy-nominated Uniting Voices President Josephine Lee, whose leadership has allowed the company to perform at events including Ravinia Festival, Lollapalooza and Saturday Night Live. Co-chaired by Jacqueline Griesdorn and Kevin Matzke, the event drew attendees such as internationally recognized Chicago-based artist Brendan Fernandes, former NFL wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald Jr. and multidisciplinary artist and educator Nick Cave.

Students from dozens of Chicago Public Schools join voices in honor of Black History Month

What do you get when 3,000 Chicago Public Schools students join forces during Black History Month to sing? Soulful and empowering songs with a message.

Uniting Voices Chicago, formerly known as the Chicago Children's Choir, teaches music to students from 88 public schools across Chicago.

They're preparing for a concert series next week at Chicago Symphony Center. The journey through Black history and Africana music begins with the Black National Anthem, "Lift Every Voice and Sing," and continues with "Earth is Ghetto," a viral song by Aliah Sheffield.