About

Amasong: Champaign-Urbana’s Lesbian/Feminist Chorus is dedicated to the pursuit of choral excellence while celebrating the contributions of women and LGBTQIA musicians. We welcome feminist cis/trans women and non-binary folks who enjoy singing. We perform folkloric, women-oriented, and classical music in treble ranges.

  • Amasong provides an opportunity for lesbians and feminist cis/trans women and non-binary folks to gather together in the pursuit of choral excellence.
  • Amasong’s repertoire draws most heavily upon folk music from various world traditions, music written by women, and other music reflecting women’s experiences.
  • Amasong accepts self-identified women at varying levels of experience and ability.

Amasong rehearses on Thursday evenings 6:30–8:15ish (sometimes until 8:30). Additional rehearsals may be called, especially in the week immediately before a concert. Our rehearsal location varies with building availability and other needs.

Our Music Director

“Singing wonderful music is my heart’s delight. Singing wonderful music written by women is my musical calling.”

black and white photo of Heidi Weatherford

Heidi M. Weatherford has been interim director for Amasong four times since 2004 and now very pleased to be Amasong’s director for the next two years or so. Ms. Weatherford’s choral career began at the age of nine with the church choir directed by her father. Since then she has sung with many amateur and professional choirs including the Westminster Symphonic Choir, the Syracuse University Oratorio Society, and the UIUC Oratorio Society. Her experience as a teacher and conductor includes leading elementary and middle public school choirs, conducting small vocal ensembles in undergraduate and graduate school, as well as other freelance conducting gigs.

She received her bachelor of music degree from Westminster Choir College in Princeton, New Jersey and her Master of Divinity degree from Union Theological Seminary in Virginia. While at Westminster Choir College, Ms. Weatherford’s areas of focus included: Music Education, Church Music, Voice, and Choral Conducting. Heidi’s most influential teachers/professors included, Frauke Hasseman, Sue Ellen Page, Harriett McCleary, Joseph Flummerfelt, Robert Simpson, Victor Macarol, and Wendell Cumberland.