One Voice Chorus of Charlotte (OVC) will present its annual holiday concert, Pride & Joy, featuring the world premiere of a new choral work by Scott Senko, winner of OVC’s inaugural Queer Composers Commission Competition. The performances will take place on Friday, December 12 and Saturday, December 13, 2025, at First United Methodist Church in uptown Charlotte.
This year’s concert is a celebration of queer cheer and chosen family nestled in the quietly chaotic charm of the winter holiday season. The program promises a mix of camp and glitter with festive classics and mashups such as “Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer”, “Deck the Nutcracker Hall” and “Boogie Woogie Hanukkah”, alongside more poignant music like “Winter Solstice Moon”, “Ubi Caritas”, and Pentatonix’s “White Winter Hymnal” that offer space for reflection and remembrance. The centerpiece of the concert is the premiere of a new work, “Communio” by Scott Senko, a Minneapolis-based composer selected from 185 international applicants.
“Pride & Joy is designed to honor the wide spectrum of what the holidays mean to our community – joy, resilience, and love in all its forms,” said Cory Davis, OVC Artistic Director. “Featuring Scott Senko’s powerful new work, ‘Communio,’ allows us to present a piece that speaks directly to the queer experience. It explores platonic love through the lens of sacred ritual, and we are incredibly proud to bring this world premiere to our Charlotte audience.”
The Queer Composers Commission Competition was created to amplify the voices of underrepresented artists. OVC’s commitment to fostering new, relevant work within the choral landscape is evident in the selection of Senko as the winner.
“This commission is a milestone for One Voice Chorus of Charlotte and a testament to our mission of celebrating LGBTQIA+ artistry,” said Michael Franzoni, OVC Executive Director. “To see this competition come to fruition with the premiere of such a moving piece is incredibly rewarding. It represents our dedication to not only performing music but actively helping create it.”
“We are thrilled to welcome everyone in the community to share in this special event,” added Matthew Barbour-Kluttz, OVC President. “Pride & Joy is more than a concert; it’s a celebration of who we are. With the inclusion of our scholarship ticket program OVC for All, we not only share the joy of the holidays through music, we also strive to make our concerts accessible to everyone. We’re looking forward to a magical evening of beautiful music, community gathering, and holiday spirit.”
Performances of Pride & Joy are scheduled for Friday, December 12 at 7:30 PM, and Saturday, December 13 at 2:00 PM and 7:30 PM. Tickets range from $20 to $30 and are available for purchase on the One Voice Chorus website at onevoicechorus.com/events. Each performance will be followed by a free reception with complimentary beverages and holiday treats.
“Part of OVC’s mission is to give back – not just to the queer community, but to our broader community at large,” said Franzoni. “We’re honored to be able to ensure that all people and outreach organizations have the opportunity to come and experience the joy and acceptance that we bring to every performance. OVC for All makes that goal possible.”
OVC’s Holiday Concert: Pride & Joy
Friday, December 12th at 7:30 PM
Saturday, December 13th at 2:00 PM and 7:30 PM
First United Methodist Church
Purchase tickets at https://onevoicechorus.com/events/
To learn more about the OVC for All scholarship ticket program, visit OneVoiceChorus.com/ovc-for-all