Heinz Chapel Choir
The Heinz Chapel Choir was
founded in 1938 to coincide with the dedication of the Heinz Memorial Chapel, a
gift to the University of Pittsburgh from Henry John Heinz, founder of the H.J.
Heinz Company, and his children.
For 85 years, the Heinz Chapel
Choir has presented music from a variety of time periods and cultural
traditions and in a wealth of languages. During the first decades of its
existence, HCC’s primary responsibility was to sing the programs and services
of the Chapel. While remaining an auditioned student ensemble inextricably
intertwined with the Heinz Memorial Chapel, the Choir’s identity transitioned
to that of a concert ensemble, rooted in the a cappella idiom that resonates
from its origin.
Throughout its history,
the Heinz Chapel Choir has always been a home for students at the University of
Pittsburgh who study a wide range of academics but share a love for choral
music, a dedication to excellence, and a passion for reaching the hearts and
souls of their audience.
How your generosity will
have an impact:
Particularly during this
85th anniversary year, the members of HCC cherish the choir’s history and are
committed to carrying forward the traditions, sense of community, and eloquent
music-making that are its legacy. Your support of our Pitt Day of Giving
campaign will help us to do that in two specific ways.
Our 85th anniversary
concert will be performed on Sunday, April 21 in the Heinz Memorial Chapel.
Entitled Sing & Make Music, the program will be dedicated to our choir
alumni and sung in memory of those who are no longer with us. Your gift will
assist in meeting the costs associated with a live broadcast of that concert on
WQED-FM and simultaneous livestream through the WQED website so that our HCC
family far and wide might join us for this celebration of our heritage.
Immediately following the
performance, HCC alumni, current members of the choir, and their families will
gather for a reception with light refreshments and the opportunity to share
stories and memories. The highlight of this event will be the premiere of a
short, documentary-style film in honor of the choir’s history, which will also
be made available for viewing online. Your contribution will help to offset the
expenses associated with the film’s production, hosting the post-concert
reception, and documenting the afternoon with professional still photography.
We are grateful
to stand in the long line of Pitt students who have made the walls of the Heinz
Memorial Chapel sing, and we sincerely appreciate your support as we once again
say “We have made music!”