Pearl Jubilee: 30 Years of Music
Our Mission Statement: The Central Pennsylvania Womyn's Chorus brings together a diverse group of women, united by the joy of singing, to celebrate and empower women and to affirm a positive image of lesbians and feminists.
Once upon a time...a woman attended the 1993 Gay Pride Festival, and heard the Harrisburg Men's Chorus sing. She was so inspired, she asked to join. Chorus leaders offered to join her in founding a women's chorus... A year later, the Central Pennsylvania Womyn's Chorus debuted at the same Festival.
We strive for musical excellence in a wide range of styles, including classical, folk, jazz, a cappella, chants and rounds, show tunes and popular songs of most decades of the twentieth century, and music recently composed.
Our concerts offer a safe and enjoyable environment for lesbians, feminists, gay men, human rights supporters, lovers of choral music, and our families, friends and neighbors to come together and celebrate our diversity as well as our common goals.
We are a Pennsylvania nonprofit organization and recognized as a charitable organization under section 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Code: contributions to the chorus are tax deductible for federal income tax purposes. Our board, singers, and other volunteers contribute their time, talent and dues. Many members and supporters make an ongoing commitment through a monthly pledge that can be direct-deducted from our checking accounts. Other finances are raised through various fund-raising events throughout the year, including spaghetti dinners, pancake breakfast, and volunteering at concessions stands for events in the state farm show building.
Through your support, the Central Pennsylvania Womyn's Chorus can continue serving our community through music. The support you provide gives us a chance to make a difference in the lives of the people we touch. Without your support, our mission and vision will be incomplete.
The CPWC is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, and donations may be counted as charitable contributions for tax purposes. Donations of any size are accepted and greatly appreciated!
If you would like to volunteer, please email cpwc@lucytv.net
Thank you for your support!
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The Pride Festival of Central Pennsylvania, a project of The Black and White Party |
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Pennsylvania Partners in the Arts - Entry to Program Stream, a charitable fund of the Greater Harrisburg Community Foundation, a regional foundation of The Foundation for Enhancing Communities (TFEC) |
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The Schlegel-Deibler Foundation |
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A quote from one of our singers:
I wanted to sing and be a part of the Central PA Womyn's Chorus because the mission of the group is to present a positive message through music of lesbian and diverse females. This message inspires and motivates womyn to be better human beings and brings change to the world which is lasting, necessary and good. Your music touches the heart and souls of listeners. Plus I love being in the company with such great people!
Dr. Kyle J. Weary is the Artistic Director of the Central PA Womyn's Chorus, Coordinator of Music Education and visiting Assistant Professor of Music Education at Gettysburg College, and Artistic Director of the Gettysburg Children's Choir. A PhD graduate of Auburn University in vocal music education where his research focused on music literacy skills in secondary choral classrooms, Kyle is recognized as a leader in teaching music literacy and contemporary commercial music. Kyle has been invited to present educational sessions at the State, Regional, and National levels. Kyle's articles on teaching music literacy and vocal pedagogy in the choral rehearsal have appeared in Choral Director Magazine, Maryland Music Educators Journal, and Teaching Music Magazine.
He graduated with both bachelor's and master's degrees from Shenandoah Conservatory of Music in Winchester, VA, where he was awarded the 2018 Distinguished Alumni Award for Young Career Achievement. Kyle has twice earned nominations for the GRAMMY music educator award, where he advanced as a quarterfinalist both times. In 2015, Kyle was nominated for Washington County's Teacher of the Year. Kyle was the founder of the Vocal Music program at the Barbara Ingram School for the Arts in Hagerstown, MD. Vocal majors were selected as members for Maryland All State Junior and Senior choirs, All Eastern Choirs, and All National Choral ensembles. While at Barbara Ingram he was the music director for the all school musicals with annual attendance of over 4,000 patrons for the yearly event. The Barbara Ingram Choral ensembles performed at multiple regional and state conferences, and had their first Carnegie Hall appearance singing under the direction of Eric Whitacre in the premiere of his new opera: “Paradise Lost: Shadows and Wings” in 2010.
As guest conductor, Kyle has conducted The Maryland Symphony Orchestra, as well as honor choirs in District XVI All District Middle School Choir (VA), Cumberland County (PA), Prince George's County (MD), Allegany County (MD) Washington County (MD), Vermont (VT-ACDA). Kyle previously served as the Artistic Director of the Harrisburg Gay Men’s Chorus. Prior to coming to Gettysburg College, Kyle most recently was the Director of Choirs and Theatre at Boiling Springs High School and Yellow Breeches Middle School. In addition to his work at Gettysburg College, Kyle is the Director of Music at Silver Spring Presbyterian Church in Mechanicsburg, PA and has served on the graduate faculty at Towson University as an adjunct since 2021.
We have performed at many different concerts and smaller events. The following is a list of our concerts, with links to view the concert program (when available). You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view the files.