WinterSongs - Empowering young women through music

About

Statistics tell us that at least 1 in 3 women will be victims of relationship violence in their lifetimes. Charlottesville's local vocal music teachers partner with The Shelter for Help in Emergency to sponsor the WinterSongs concert on the final Saturday of February. The participants are young female vocalists from our area schools. The day is filled with sharing, musical collaboration, mutual support, and empowerment. The vocalists attend classes to offer strategies and to raise situational awareness on a variety of topics related to relationship violence. The day culminates in a public concert where donations to the Shelter are collected at the door in lieu of admission. To date, our evening benefit concerts have resulted in more than $25000 in donations to our local domestic violence shelter, the Shelter for Help in Emergency.

History

In the autumn of 2014 the murder of University of Virginia student Hannah Graham shook Charlottesville. Our students, particularly our female students, were asking questions about the nature of safety and their feelings of dread, terror, and helplessness. Our local choral directors brought our women's choirs together for a day of sharing, collaboration, education, and profoundly powerful emotional support. To date, our evening benefit concerts have resulted in almost $30000 in donations to our local domestic violence shelter, the Shelter for Help in Emergency.

Donations

The WinterSongs concert charges no admission; however, we do strongly encourage donations (cash, check, or charge, all tax-deductible). 100% of donations go to the Shelter for Help in Emergency to help them fight relationship violence in our community. While there is no minimum required nor asked, the Charlottesville community is inevitably generous and supportive. Please click here if you wish to donate but are unable to do so on the day of WinterSongs, and thank you for your support!

Donate

This Year

9:00 AM to 6:00 PM

Saturday, February 25, 2023

Monticello High School

1400 Independence Way
Charlottesville, VA 22902

9:15 AM	Monticello is open to students and presenters!
9:30 AM	Large Combined Ensemble rehearsal of "I'll Be There" - all vocalists
10:40 AM	Opening workshop with the Shelter for Help in Emergency
11:20 AM	Shelter Self-Esteem session 1
12:00 Noon	Pot Luck Lunch - together in the cafeteria
1:00 PM	Shelter Self-Esteem session 2
1:40 PM	Break
2:00 PM	"The Concert for Us" sound check
4:00 PM	Change for performance/clear the concert hall
4:25 PM	House Opens - Donations to the Shelter for Help in Emergency are encouraged at the door!
5:00 PM	The Ninth Annual WinterSongs Concert to Benefit the Shelter for Help in Emergency begins!

Coming soon!

Sister Concerts

WinterSongs Sister Concerts empower women and fight relationship violence in cities all over the world. It's easy to get started and we are always happy to work with other directors and educators who are interested in sponsoring an event based on the WinterSongs program. The information is free and profoundly supports your vocalists! Please use the contact form below and we'll be in touch! Our first sister concert is planned for February 2024 featuring schools in Georgia!

Contact

The grim reality is that domestic and relationship violence is in every community. We encourage and support other municipalities to follow this format and are happy and enthusiastic to help you get your student support and concert programs up and running! Furthermore, we'd love to include your media on the website. Please don't hesitate to reach out; this is too important to let alone. We'll help you with planning, implementation, and getting in touch with your local support institutions that combat relationship violence in your community!