Hundreds of Chicagoans gathered to support Uniting Voices Chicago (formerly Chicago Children’s Choir) at their Red Jacket Optional gala, hosted at The Geraghty on Saturday, October 14th. Uniting Voices’ transformative youth empowerment and music education programs serve thousands of students from every neighborhood in Chicago and beyond. The $1.5M raised last night’s inspirational gala supports music programming, offered free of charge to students, in 88 Chicago schools. Red Jacket Optional (RJO) is Uniting Voices Chicago’s largest annual fundraiser and one of Chicago’s most successful galas. In the past 10 years, RJO has raised more than $14.5M, which funds Uniting Voices’ exemplary music education programming that emphasizes holistic learning to nurture social-emotional development and produce positive outcomes, including a 100 percent high school graduation and college acceptance rate. The night featured vibrant performances by Uniting Voices members, ages 6-18, including show-stopping renditions of Broadway classics, original music, and songs from around the world. With culinary delights from Boka Catering Group, an open bar, access to a live auction with premium experiences, and an epic afterparty, the evening was a night to remember, all in support of Chicago’s youth.

Photo Credit: Uniting Voices Chicago