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| Wisconsin Cream City Chorus | |
|---|---|
| Choir | |
| Also known as | WCCC |
| Origin | Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States |
| Founded | April 1, 1987 |
| Disbanded | April 1, 2012 |
| Genre | |
| Artistic Director | Kristen L. Weber |
| Leadership | Chuck Ellingson (associate director) |
| Chief conductor | Kristen L. Weber |
The Wisconsin Cream City Chorus was an LGBTQ chorus in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, active from 1987 to 2012. Although originally formed as a chorus of gays, lesbians and their friends, the chorus was open to singers of any identity.
The chorus was founded on April 1, 1987.
The chorus is named after a nickname of Milwaukee which refers to a brick manufacturing company that produced a light colored brick. While the group's official name was Wisconsin Cream City Chorus, it was common to refer to the group as Cream City Chorus, or Milwaukee Cream City Chorus. The group was incorporated with the State of Wisconsin as "The Wisconsin Cream City Chorus, Ltd." as a non-profit organizations.
In 1993, 1994 & 1995 the Chorus performed as backup chorus for Barry Manilow’s Greatest Hits tour when he performed in Milwaukee. Manilow is an honorary member of Wisconsin Cream City Chorus.
The chorus ended operations on April 1, 2012, with a concert given on that day, 25 years exactly since its founding. The group recorded a CD called Our Legacy which was available for purchase at that time.
The chorus was a non-profit organization headed by a board of directors, including a president, vice president, treasurer and secretary.
Members were required to pay dues. New members started at a probationary level and then were invited membership, followed by Tenured Member, which had full voting membership.
There were two types of members. - Non-Singing members who support the organization through non-singing efforts such as stage management, publicity, fundraising and front of house. - Singing members who do perform with the group.
The chorus was member-controlled. Every member, singing or non-singing had an equal vote.
The WCCC produced two to four concerts annually. In addition to concerts, the chorus also performed at the Holiday Invitational Tournament and for memorial services, weddings, and commitment ceremonies.
The Chorus's signature song was "I Love Myself Just the Way I Am", A Song of Affirmation by Jai Josefs. It was dedicated to the chorus in 1987 and was performed as the last song at every concert performance.
In keeping with its goal of bringing a message of diversity to the community, the chorus also lent vocal talents to several organizations including AIDS-related, faith-based, LGBT, and civic, including;
The Creamettes was an ensemble of the chorus.
