Local LGBTQ+ choral organization Windy City Performing Arts ( WCPA ) has named Dr. William Southerland as the artistic director of Windy City Gay Chorus and Windy City Treble Quire.
Southerland joins WCPA following a seven-year run as artistic director of Triad Performing Arts in Greensboro, North Carolina, where he directed roughly 80 volunteer singers across the organization's three ensembles: Triad Pride Women's Chorus, Triad Pride Men's Chorus and the small ensemble Counterpoint.
Southerland holds a Bachelor's degree in music from Florida State University and a master's degree in choral conducting from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro ( UNC Greensboro ); he is currently completing his doctorate in music education at UNC-Greensboro, where he will present his dissertation, "Factors of Motivation to Participation in LGBTQ-Identified Choruses."
Beyond his work at the podium, Southerland is the author of numerous published and peer-reviewed articles, and a regular host of workshops and clinics. He maintains active memberships in the National Association of Music Educators, the North Carolina Music Educators Association, GALA Choruses and the American Choral Directors' Association.
WCPA tentatively expects to return to performing under Southerland's direction next spring. See WindyCitySings.org .