Moving Hearts Through Song

Our Friday posts are always fashion driven, but today the MDPR team wanted to share someone who we admire not only for their fashion sense, but the time and dedication they put towards making Chicago a better place.

As President and Artistic Director of the Chicago Children's Choir, Josephine Lee unites 3,500 young Chicagoans annually through the pursuit of musical excellence. In a city afflicted by violence, Josephine empowers children to bridge cultural divides and become agents of peace and leadership in their communities. The Choir's highest level concert choir has 100% graduation rate, a testament to Josephine's hard work.

Josephine always says "the fastest way to travel the world is through music," and we couldn't think of a better quote that fits the Choir's mission of intercultural understanding. Since joining the Choir in 1998, she has transformed it into a cultural institution through partnerships with nationally acclaimed arts organizations and yearly international tours. A few countries the Choir has visited include Italy, Africa, Canada, Russia and India.

We are looking forward to the Choir's biggest fundraising event, Red Jacket Optional, next Friday the 18th. The Choir hopes to raise 1 million dollars that will all be put towards continuing to offer music education to Chicago's youth.

The event will be preceded by a cocktail hour and conclude with the lively Champagne and Sweets after party. We can't wait to dance the night away to the jams of DJ Matt Roan, Ambassador Board Chair.

Want to join us? To purchase tickets to the gala email Emily Hallock at ehallock@ccchoir.org. Tickets for Champagne and Sweets can be purchased here.

By Allison Sickert, MDPR Publicist

Toasting the Chicago Children's Choir at Tod's

The event last week at Tod’s celebrating their new Sella bag and benefiting the Chicago Children’s Choir was one for the record books. It’s the first event we’ve been to where the men out-shopped the women!

With 10% of every purchase going to the Choir, the 100+ crowd that showed up to support the organization blew us away. While women did their fair share of shopping, the men were purchasing new pairs of Tod’s loafers left and right. At the end of the night $50,000 was raised for the Choir. 

One of the show stoppers of the night was a blue python Sella bag. A store associate told us only five were made and they have the last one. It’s still waiting for one lucky lady. Our significant others didn’t seem too eager to buy it for us. What gives?

Champagne and hors d'oeuvres created by Elaina Vazquez of Boutique Bites were passed around throughout the evening. Our favorite was the mini chocolate chip cookie sandwiches. We overheard one guest wishing they could have a jumbo-sized version. Maybe we should pitch the idea of a giant cookie sandwich to Elaina…

The always upbeat Matt Roan provided the perfect tunes to accompany the evening. The night was a perfect precursor to the Choir’s Red Jacket Optional gala on October 18. These next three weeks couldn’t come any faster!

To purchase tickets for Red Jacket Optional contact Emily Hallock at ehallock@ccchoir.org. 

To view more photos from the evening please visit the Monika Dixon PR Facebook page!

By Allison Sickert, MDPR Publicist