Fall 2026 Updates
Every four years, Sister Singers Network offers a national conference that features performances, workshops, networking, and socializing among member choruses. In July, 22 CWC members attended the 14th SSN Festival, “Power in Harmony,” at Loyola University in Chicago. Artemis Singers, Chicago’s Lesbian Feminist Chorus, hosted the festival after 2-3 years of intense planning. Over 900 singers, composers, arrangers, and other choral fans attended performances by 20 choruses and 2 Mass Choruses of 200+ singers. More than 50 workshops were offered, from voice care and exercises, to creating community with a diverse membership, to embracing cultural changes and technologic advances, to preserving choral herstory. We had a wonderful time at the festival and exploring Chicago. Thanks to the generous support of our audience, singers who could not afford the costs were able to receive scholarships to attend and represent CWC. We’re so grateful for these opportunities to learn, share, and harmonize beyond our home base!
Written by Janie Mac Neela (A2); Edited by Katie Zellonis Otto (S1).
Besides attending Sister Singers Festival, singers enjoyed a few other social activities during our summer vacation between semesters to remain connected and support our chorus. A group of singers spent one Sunday afternoon at Jordan Lake swimming and hanging out on the beach. Our Neurodivergent affinity group also held meetings to remain connected, including an ice cream social and book club meeting to discuss “Unmasking Autism” by Devin Price. Finally, we held two community sponsorship fundraiser nights at a local Chipotle and Freddy’s, where singers, family members, and friends came together to enjoy a meal together while supporting the chorus at the same time. A percentage of the proceeds from the meals purchased both nights were donated back to the chorus by the respective restaurants. It’s always fun to find ways to continue spending time together in between semesters, and this summer was no exception!
Written and edited by Katie Zellonis Otto (S1).
During Pride Month and Durham Pride Week, CWC participated in several community events celebrating the LGBTQIA+ community. To kick the Pride season off, in June, we performed a selection of songs from our spring 2026 concert with themes of hope, resilience, and light at Out!Raleigh Pride in Downtown Raleigh. Singers were then able to enjoy the other Pride festivities downtown, like checking out the market expo featuring local artists, vendors, and sponsors.
Then, during Durham Pride Week earlier this month, CWC was excited to be part of the Multifaith Pride Service hosted by the Eno River Universalist Unitarian Fellowship (ERUUF) on the evening of October 1st. A group of singers performed a selection of songs from our spring 2026 concert, woven into the service to support the overall theme of Belonging. Messages and affirmations on the theme were shared by various religious leaders from the Durham community. A dinner and dance party capped off the night! Several singers also performed at the annual Queerly Beloved service at Trinity United Methodist Church on October 4th, organized by the Durham Queer Methodists and our talented accompanist Eileen. Thank you to ERUUF and Trinity UMC for allowing us to take part in your Pride celebrations!
Finally, a crew of CWC singers and supporters gathered the morning of October 3rd to prepare for the Durham Pride Community Protest and Parade. With a truck sporting Durham bull horns, a costumed bull and unicorn, and a flag from the first LGBTQ+ march in June 1981, our folks hope to have brought some music and joy to the parade-goers (despite the rain in the second half)!
Written by Katie Zellonis Otto (S1) and Amanda Benton (A1); Edited by Katie Zellonis Otto (S1).
As our singers explore Pauli Murray’s life through our commissioned cantata, our planning committee sought opportunities to educate ourselves. We are excited to share some of the opportunities we’ve utilized and invite you to do the same!
In partnership with Binkley Baptist Church in Chapel Hill, CWC was excited to present a screening of “My Name Is Pauli Murray” for members of both our communities. The 2021 documentary chronicles Pauli’s life with perspectives from biographers, relatives, and friends as well as Pauli’s own journals and letters. The timeline is well-contextualized to show just how ahead of their time Pauli was (and the lack of credit when everyone else caught up)! As Betty Prioux (a member of both communities) stated following the showing: “we expect that after watching this, Pauli will be your hero too!” The documentary is currently available to stream on Amazon Prime Video - we highly recommend it!
We are also closely engaged with the Pauli Murray Center for History and Social Justice in downtown Durham, in preparation for our concert. Several singers look forward to touring the historic landmark that is the home Pauli’s grandparents built and that Pauli grew up in! Tours are available to the public if you’re interested in learning more. Finally, keep an eye on our social media channels to see more information about Pauli Murray’s life and legacy shared in the lead up to our performance.
Written by Amanda Benton (A1); Edited by Katie Zellonis Otto (S1).
Mark your calendars! We will be performing “Sincerely Yours, Pauli Murray” at the Hayti Heritage Center on Saturday, December 5th. This multi-movement cantata was commissioned by GALA Choruses, including CWC, and we are thrilled to bring the work to Pauli Murray’s hometown. We will have a matinee and an evening performance. More details & ticketing information coming soon!
Written and edited by Katie Zellonis Otto (S1).