Welcome to the CCC blog, where we’ll do our darnedest to bring you up to speed on our epic adventures in Chicago this week! We’re only one day in and there’s already so much to tell you, so let’s hop to it.

Bright and early, we hit the ground running downtown (metaphorically speaking)… along with 40,000 other people (literally speaking). Pylons were going up and traffic was being diverted for the Chicago Marathon just as we filed into the Fourth Presbyterian sanctuary on the Magnificent Mile.

Performing a selection of compositions from our 2016 release, Sacred Reflections, this was our first official performance of the tour. After travelling from our various corners of Canada for much of Saturday morning, noon and night, we had finally made it. Nobody was more relieved to see us than Julia and Andy, who have poured heart and soul into getting this project off the ground. From visa applications to event bookings, our Chicago tour has been months in the making; a true team effort that has united our board, singers, general manager and artistic team for this organization’s inaugural cross-border excursion.

Tours are like family reunions for the CCC, with plenty of hugs, catch-up sessions and decades-old inside jokes being shared during the opening hours of our itinerary. And of course, there are those first few notes that resound among us after months (and sometimes years) apart. And we do mean few. We clocked a total of 45 minutes of rehearsal time before our opening performance at Fourth Presbyterian: a new record. Yikes!

As it turns out, we had nothing to worry about. The congregation at Fourth Presbyterian was a warm and generous audience. From the pews to the merch booth, we felt welcome and wanted. This is a city where people aren’t afraid to come up and chat – to introduce themselves, share their stories, and above all their passion for music.

But after two consecutive services, boy did we ever work up an appetite! Luckily, we were off to the home of Hugh Russell, the brother of alto Naomi Russell. As you can see from the photo, he prepared an epic feast in his loft apartment and took us up to the rooftop patio for an unbelievable view of the Chicago skyline. What a way to start the trip!

Two hours later, it was time to climb back into traffic and head to the breathtaking Bahá’í House of Worship, a building you truly have to see in person to believe. As gorgeous as this photo is, it doesn’t even begin to do it justice.

After singing a quick piece and revelling in the acoustics we were off to Trinity United Methodist Church in Wilmette, the location for our October 14th finale concert. Members of the Trinity UMC Chancel Choir prepared a delicious spread and we were joined at long last by our talented tour guests Carmen Braden, Oleksander Mycyk and Sarain Carson-Fox.

As this is being typed, we’re rehearsing much of the repertoire that will be featured at this week’s performances. And then it’s back to our homestay families and up early tomorrow for some more adventures.

Stay tuned!