What is Windsong's mission?

Windsong is an organization of women and their supporters which strives to:

-Empower women through their participation in the performance of music.

-Effect social change through the performance of music that is diverse, women-supportive and environmentally responsible.

-Build community and provide education through partnerships with like-minded organizations.

What are Windsong's values?

Windsong, Cleveland’s Feminist Chorus, strives to create a joyful, caring community with a spirit of inclusiveness and diversity. We create music to promote feminism, social justice, activism, and the empowerment that comes from finding one’s own unique voice.

Do you accept donations?

As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, we rely on a network of public and private support to fund our activities. Like all arts groups, the cost of a concert ticket pays less than 50% of the total cost of a performance.

Please visit our donation page for information on all the different ways we accept donations!

All donations are tax-deductible.

To mail a donation to Windsong, please make the check payable to Windsong and mail to PO Box 771212, Lakewood, OH 44107.

Do I need to be LGBTQ+ to sing? Can I sing with you if I’m transgender or genderqueer?

We accept all woman-identified, gender-nonconforming, non-binary, fluid, and transgender individuals, with a goal of diversity in age, ethnicity, interests, beliefs, values, sexual orientation, and gender-identity. Our members come from diverse LGBTQ+ and straight communities.

How old do I have to be to join?

We accept members from ages 15-115! Minors will need to submit written permission of a parent or legal guardian in order to join, and must show earnest interest and skill.

How do I join?

Interested in singing with us? Fabulous! The joining process is fairly straightforward.

First, please contact Windsong’s Membership Committee at windsongcle@gmail.com.

Prospective members will be invited to attend several practices at the beginning of a concert cycle before deciding if they want to join. Once a decision is made, part or all of dues will be paid and new members can take music home.

What are the Covid-19 protocols?

After membership surveys, meetings, research, and discussion, the consensus is that vaccines should be mandatory for attending in-person rehearsals and masks will be optional. This is subject to change at a moment's notice, based on current CDC guidelines, CSU policies and Windsong protocols. Please be prepared to share proof of vaccination at our first rehearsal.

We will also have surgical-grade masks available; you may of course wear your own, as long as the quality of mask is at least surgical-grade. Click here to view the masks that Windsong will be providing, if you would like to purchase your own box.

Other COVID precautions - including required CSU mitigation standards and contact tracing protocols - will be updated soon.

We will not be offering a virtual rehearsal option going forward.

When and where do you rehearse?

Rehearsals are on Sundays from 4:30-6:45PM. The next concert cycle rehearsals will begin on January 21st, 2024.

Location: Rehearsals will be held at Cleveland State University's Music and Communication Building, 2001 Euclid Ave Cleveland, OH 44115. Pleae visit our Accessibility Page for more info.

Are there membership dues?

Membership dues are an important part of the Chorus budget. Dues are currently $75 per concert cycle, or just $140 if you pay dues for the whole season by September 30th.

While dues are a large part of our budget, we will not turn anyone away for inability to pay. Arrangements can be made with our Financial Manager or Treasurer. No one will be turned away because of inability to pay.

What is the attendance policy?

Every voice matters and each member is expected to attend all rehearsals. If you can commit to attending the designated minimum number of rehearsals in a concert cycle, you are welcome to sing in that cycle’s concert. Those with chronic illnesses and/or medical conditions may speak to the Artistic Director about potential accommodations.

Do I have to read music to join?

Do you sing in the shower? Or in your car along with the radio? You can join! No experience reading music is necessary. Your fellow section members are more than willing to help and we have sectionals, as well as rehearsal CDs to aid all members in learning their parts.

NOTE: members will need a valid email address in order to stay up to date with communication within the chorus, info on sectionals, and to get access to rehearsal music.

Can I contribute in a non-singing capacity?

Interested in joining Windsong, but not sure you can make the commitment to sing? There are two separate opportunities for non-singing members to participate:

1) Join the Crescendos, our non-singing member section. Crescendo membership grants access to voting rights and attendance at our annual meeting, the opportunity to serve on various committees or on the Core Group Board, access to Windsong’s internal communications, and opportunities to perform at selected events. Dues for Crescendo members are $40 a concert cycle or $75 for a whole year.

2) For every concert we welcome an intrepid crew of volunteers known as Grace Notes. You will see them taking tickets, handing out programs, selling raffle tickets, helping at the reception—whatever needs doing to allow Windsong members to focus on singing. Grace Notes, we are so grateful, and we love you!

For more information on joining Windsong as a Crescendo or Grace Note, please contact us at windsongcle@gmail.com.

Are Windsong practices accessible?

Rehearsal Space

CSU's Music Building has an accessible entrance with a wide ramp and automatic doors. There are elevators in the building and accessible bathrooms, as well as accessible parking. Please visit our Accessibility Page for more info.

Scents, Allergens, and Pets

In both official (i.e. rehearsals or concerts) and unofficial events (social gatherings), we have strict rules against wearing scented products so that members with serious medical sensitivities and allergies can participate. This includes, but is not limited to: hair products, deodorants, perfumes, dryer sheets, and other scented products. Please follow good asthma etiquette. Wear clothes that are as free of pet hair and dander as you can make them. Do not smoke directly before rehearsal.

Sensory

It is perfectly acceptable and encouraged for those with sensory difficulties or sensitivities to take care of their needs. Members are welcome to wear ear plugs or noise-cancelling headphones outside of performance time.

Contact us at windsongcle@gmail.com with questions about accessibility.

When are performances?

Full concert performances generally take place twice a year in the spring and fall/winter. Windsong's next full concert is set for April 2024 and our fall concert is TBD. Stay tuned for further information.

Windsong also performs in a variety of community gigs and engagements throughout the year, but these performances are on a volunteer basis and generally not mandatory. Please visit our upcoming events page for more details.

Are Windsong events accessible?

ASL interpretation Dwana Crawford, from the Cleveland Hearing and Speech Center, has been our ASL interpreter at every major Windsong concert for several years now.

TBD

Do you have a code of conduct?

Along with Windsong standing rules, we are proud to have joined We Have Voice, a coalition setting new anti-harassment and nondiscrimination standards for creative and performance spaces. We have adopted the We Have Voice Code of Conduct, which will be enforced throughout our rehearsals, performances, and administrative spaces. We are proud to create safe spaces for our performers, audience, and employees. More information on We Have Voice is available here: https://too-many.org/