in residence at Aspinwall Presbyterian Church
Belle Voci, founded in 2012, is a community-based, adult choir that sings music for voices in the treble range. Belle Voci performs an eclectic repertoire of wide-ranging styles, showcasing the performance practices of the music’s origin.
To further enact our mission, "Connecting Song and Community," we curate special programming for sensory friendly audiences to share the joy of music with everyone in our neighborhood.
Belle Voci has been a proud RAD Cultural Asset since 2020, and we are grateful to receive support from the Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council,National Endowment for the Arts, and Pennsylvania Council On The Arts. Past support includes the Heinz Endowments.
UPCOMING CONCERTS + EVENTS
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FEBRUARY 18TH
"JOURNEY THROUGH LIFE"
A Sensory Friendly Concert
Christ Church At Grove Farm, 249 Duff Rd, Sewickley, PA 15143
On February 18, Belle Voci will be singing for—and with—the staff, residents, family, and friends of Verland. Verland is a non-profit that provides housing for more than 200 people with intellectual and physical disabilities.
According to its website, Verland was founded by “three women with the ambitious mission to create a place where intellectually disabled people, with or without physical disabilities, could enjoy the safety, care, respect and dignity of home.” The name Verland is a compilation of the names of the three children who were the women’s inspiration—Verlinda, Andrew, and David.
The main campus, located in Sewickley, opened in 1981. In March 2023, Belle Voci board members Suzanne Masri and Doris Zurawka asked our choir for activities that could support our mission, which is “Connecting Song and Community.” Belle Voci learned about Verland from our choir member, Lynne Williams. Lynne’s former student Haley Welsh is a music therapist who shares the joy of music with the residents of Verland. Haley owns a company called “Playnotes.”
In July 2023, Craig Cannon, Lorraine Milovac, and Doris Zurawka met with Haley and Coordinator Jazmyn Mason to explain BV’s mission and to explore the possibility of performing a sensory friendly concert for the Verland residents. Haley and Jazmyn loved the idea and suggested we sing at Christ Church on the Verland campus, since it would provide plenty of space. They also suggested that we do a few sing-alongs with the audience.
Our concert in February 2024 was truly meaningful and heartfelt. At the end of the concert, Haley told Doris that the sounds from the audience were the sounds of pure joy. Lorraine was presented with fingerprint artwork lovingly created by the Verland residents. We’re delighted to return to sing for Verland residents, staff, family, and friends on February 18. The sensory friendly concert is open to the public and is free of charge. We’re excited
for this opportunity to “connect song and community.”
MARCH 15TH 3:00 P.M.
"UNITED IN PURPOSE"
A Celebration of Women's History Month
featuring the music and lyrics of African-American Women
Pentecostal Temple Church, 6300 E Liberty Blvd, Pittsburgh, PA 15206
Belle Voci joins the Heritage Gospel Chorale and University of Pittsburgh Men’s Glee Club Panther Rhythms for this incredible event. More details to come. In the meantime, please save the date.
MAY 10TH 7:30 P.M.
SPRING CONCERT
Pentecostal Temple Church, 6300 E Liberty Blvd, Pittsburgh, PA 15206
More details to come. In the meantime, please save the date!
SEASON HIGHLIGHTS
Please enjoy this clip from our March 16, 2024 Concert, Proclamations of Courage II
PAST CONCERTS + EVENTS
SEPTEMBER 14 1:00 P.M.
CROWDED TABLE
A RAD Days Free Concert at the Kelly Strayhorn Theater
Experience awe-inspiring music with Belle Voci and the Pittsburgh Youth Chorus! The Regional Asset District (RAD) supports fantastic local talent through community-funded grants. To show our thanks to our neighborhood, we are joining RAD Days to fill the city of Pittsburgh with free music, talent, and art.
Join us Saturday, September 14th at 1:00 P.M. at the Kelly Strayhorn Theater.
Our very own, Belle Voci, joins the Pittsburgh Youth Chorus (PYC) for this event. PYC empowers and inspires young people in grades 1-12 through grant-funded transformational opportunities in choral music. Founded in 1983, PYC has touched the hearts and lives of students and collaborators alike. The group performs with world-class artists throughout our region.
Free Open to the Public Programming
OCTOBER 27TH 3:00 P.M.
13TH ANNUAL TREBLE CHOIR FESTIVAL OF WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA
First Presbyterian Church of Edgewood, 120 E Swissvale Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15218
Music strengthens, unites and uplifts our voices in celebration of our shared journey.
Belle Voci is thrilled to host the 13th annual Treble Choir Festival of Western Pennsylvania at First Presbyterian Church of Edgewood (120 East Swissvale Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15218) on Sunday, Oct. 27, at 3 p.m. Admission is $5 at the door.
Seven choirs in Allegheny County will come together in song. We are proud to feature these esteemed groups:
Penn Hills High School Cantabile - Briana York, Conductor
Ellis School Glee Club - Gail Novak Mosites, Conductor
Pittsburgh Girls Choir’s Women of Song - Emily Tiberi, Conductor
University of Pittsburgh Treble Choral Ensemble - Lorraine Milovac, Conductor
Riverview High School Grace Notes - Nathan Hart, Conductor
Solo Voci - Rachel Eaton, Conductor
Belle Voci - Lorraine Milovac, Conductor
Each group will take the stage to showcase their choir’s unique sound and collection of music. All groups will join together in singing, “Crowded Table,” by Andrea Ramsey. The messaging in “Crowded Table,” encapsulates the theme of our season: a musical journey through different branches of the human experience - elemental, metaphysical, and facets of everyday life.
The chorus reads, “I want a house with a crowded table / And a place by the fire for everyone / Let us take on the world while we're young and able / And bring us back together when the day is done.”
Music acts as the common thread through life’s journey despite our ages, life experiences and backgrounds.
Belle Voci Artistic Director Lorraine Milovac began the Treble Choir Festival of Western Pennsylvania in 2007 as the conductor for the University of Pittsburgh Treble Choral Ensemble. The festival serves as a community-outreach initiative to fulfill our mission of “connecting song and community.”
NOVEMBER 1ST 7:00 P.M.
BELLE VOCI'S SPOOKTACULAR FALL FUNDRAISER
Shorty’s Tap x Taco in the Waterfront
244 W Bridge St, West Homestead, PA 15120
Celebrate Spooky Season with Belle Voci!
We’re hosting a Spooktacular Fall Fundraiser on Friday, November 1 from 7-9 P.M. at Shorty’s Tap x Taco in the Waterfront (244 W Bridge St, West Homestead, PA 15120)!
Good times, great food and drink, prizes and games for the whole family!
Belle Voci needs your help this fall! Our goal is to raise $6,000 to help us purchase music, rent venues for our concerts, bring in incredible musicians to accompany us, and embrace our mission to connect song and community.
Costumes are encouraged! We’ll have prizes for the best dressed.
Your ticket includes a voucher for craft-made cocktails, drafts or brews as well as food and access to gaming in the venue as well as your donation to our group!
NOVEMBER 23RD 2:00 P.M.
SENSORY FRIENDLY HOLIDAY CONCERT
East Liberty Presbyterian Church Social Hall
116 S Highland Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15206
Belle Voci and Team Friends is excited to invite you to our FREE Sensory Friendly Concert in the Social Hall at East Liberty Presbyterian Church (116 S Highland Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15206) on Saturday, November 23rd at 2 p.m.
We believe that music is for everyone, and the following provisions aid in our audience’s enjoyment of these performances.
We offer a genuine understanding for our attendees needs including the freedom to move around as needed during the performance. Chatter, noise, and support items are all welcomed! The performance runs a shorter length, with dimmed lights and softer volume. Our volunteers are trained in assisting the audience as needed through our help desk, in-concert support, and provided sensory support items such as gadgets, earplugs, manipulatives. You may tour the venue prior to the performance or use the quiet room during the concert.
Complimentary tickets and transportation arrangements are funded by grants, and we are grateful for their support. Please contact President and Accessibility Coordinator, Craig Cannon at craig.g.cannon@gmail.com for all Sensory Friendly performance information, transportation assistance, and more.
Team Friends provides opportunities and support to ambulatory adults with intellectual disabilities who have graduated high school, their parents, family and their mentoring typical friends. Members of the choir practice with our President, Craig Cannon, and will encourage you to sing along!
Belle Voci is a community-based, adult choir that sings music for voices in the treble range. Belle Voci performs an eclectic repertoire of wide-ranging styles, showcasing the performance practices of the music’s origin. Lorraine Milovac serves as the Artistic Director.
DECEMBER 3RD ALL DAY VIRTUAL EVENT
GIVE BIG PITTSBURGH
With your help, we can reach our goal of raising $27,000! Triple the value of your gift because ALL DONATIONS receive a two-for-one match thanks to the generosity of matching funds donors.
Belle Voci strives to bring music to everyone through sensory friendly performances, select free-programming, and concerts in communities across the Greater Pittsburgh area. Your support makes this possible.
$20 - Connect Song and Community
$50 - Provide attire for a Belle Voci singer in need
$150 - Pay annual membership dues for one Belle Voci singer in need
$250 - Purchase one new choral selection for the entire choir
$500 - Pay the venue rental fee for one Belle Voci concert
DECEMBER 14TH 7:30 P.M.
JOURNEY THROUGH THE SEASON OF LIGHT
Westminster Presbyterian Church, 2040 Washington Rd, Pittsburgh, PA 15241
Belle Voci embarks on a musical journey this holiday season. We are proud to feature our holiday concert, “Journey Through the Season of Light.” From yuletide carols to ethereal latin compositions, Belle Voci continues to strengthen, unite and uplift community voices in celebration of the thread that ties us together: music.
Join us on Saturday, December 14th at 7:30 p.m. at the Westminster Presbyterian Church, 2040 Washington Rd, Pittsburgh, PA 15241.
SPECIAL THANKS
Belle Voci has been a proud RAD Cultural Asset since 2020, and we are grateful to receive support from the Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council, National Endowment for the Arts, and Pennsylvania Council On The Arts. Past grants have also been contributed by the Heinz Endowments.
Regional Asset District
Grantor
Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council
Grantor
National Endowment for the Arts
Grantor
Pennsylvania Council on the Arts
Grantor