New Forest City Rainbow Chorus sets out to uplift, inspire
By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
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ROCKFORD — A new choral ensemble that aims to promote inclusion and inspire social change through music will showcase its vocal prowess in its first concert this weekend.
The Forest City Rainbow Chorus will perform at 1 p.m. Sunday at the Unitarian Universalist Church, 4848 Turner St.
The group was formed to provide an affirming space for LGBTQ+ individuals to share their musical talents, and members hope the first concert will encourage more people to join the now 15-member community choir. The vision for the group expands beyond the chorus. It is also developing the Forest City Rainbow Regiment, a community-wide marching band with brass, woodwinds, percussion and “dazzling rainbow flair,” as it describes its vision on its website.
“Not everybody has a home base, and I think music is a great way to start finding that,” said Alejandra Martinez Aviles, a member of the choir who is also leading the effort to form the regiment. “I think that music is just this beautiful unifying force that can really help people heal. Unfortunately, this community has been wronged in so many ways throughout history. I feel like music is a step forward toward healing.”
The Forest City Rainbow Chorus debuted during the festivities around The Office Nite Club’s annual Pride Alley Party, but this will be its first concert. It’s called Songs of Peace and Protest.
“We’re asking several questions: Why are people protesting right now? Why is it important? But even more, why do we seek peace? We’re answering those questions through music,” said Andrew J. Mertzenich, an attorney and church organist who founded the group.
The concert will include Bob Dylan songs such as “Blowin’ In the Wind” and “The Times They Are A-Changin’,” as well as “Stand Up” from the movie “Harriett,” to name a few. It also includes an original piece called “Stonewall” that was adapted from a poem by Mertzenich.
The Forest City Rainbow Chorus is open to “anyone under the rainbow,” Mertzenich said. That includes both members of the LGBTQ+ community and allies. For now, it’s for adults ages 18 and older, but it could expand with a youth choir in the future.
“It is an open and affirming space,” Mertzenich said. “That means that individuals come as they are, whether you’re questioning your identity or you’re an ally. … That’s what this is: creating safe spaces around the city that didn’t exist historically.”
Nailah Mobluy said she hopes more people are encouraged to join the chorus. The Northern Illinois University graduate, who now works as a library assistant at Rockford Public Library, is an alto in the chorus.
“I hope it gives people a sense of relief in terms of the atmosphere these days. I think a lot of people are stressed out, and I think people need to remember there is some humanity out there,” Mobluy said. “Despite all the things happening in the world, there are safe spaces to include people and to make them feel safe and represented.”
The group’s performances are designed to uplift and educate, while showing that harmony is possible when people of all backgrounds and abilities join together.
“As these safe spaces are created, the thing that keeps me going is knowing that we’re saving lives,” Mertzenich said. “There are people who are alive today who would not be if Rockford did not have a Pride today. These are the safe spaces, these are the groups that allow that to happen.”
Event details | Songs of Peace and Protest
What: The Forest City Rainbow Chorus will host its first concert, Songs of Peace and Protest.
Where: Unitarian Universalist Church, 4848 Turner St., Rockford
When: 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 12
Cost: Free
RSVP: Go HERE
Info: rfdrainbowchorus.org
This article is by Kevin Haas. Email him at khaas@rockrivercurrent.com or follow him on X at @KevinMHaas or Instagram @thekevinhaas and Threads @thekevinhaas
