Our Legacy is Powerful.
Our Future is in Your Hands.
With joy and anticipation, singers, alumni, and devoted ANNA fans gathered for the first of our 50th anniversary concerts on May 31. The stunning Philadelphia Episcopal Cathedral offered a breathtaking backdrop for what became yet another powerful, soul-stirring performance.
It was heartwarming to see so many former ANNAs in the audience–many singing along with joy to songs that brought back memories of their time on stage. From long-time supporters to first-time guests, from young to old, all joined in celebrating a five-decade journey of music with a message.
The sense of connection and celebration lingered well into the following Monday’s post-concert debrief.
There, singers, partners, and past members shared reflections and personal stories. One of the most moving moments came from a younger singer who, her voice catching with emotion, shared a powerful realization: that the life she lives today as a gay woman–open, joyful, and free–rests on the hard-won struggles, sacrifices, and quiet persistence of the women who came before her. It was an epiphany that deepened her sense of connection to ANNA’s legacy and to the ongoing fight for justice.
For half a century, ANNA has remained responsive to a changing world while holding fast to its founding vision:
- Providing a safe space where members can bring their whole selves
- Building community among performers and with audiences
- Amplifying underrepresented voices through musical stories that might otherwise go unheard
- Challenging audiences to examine social issues and inspiring them to act.
Join us as we honor the past, sing the present, and shape the future – together.
This is a legacy worth celebrating–and continuing. We’re not resting on our laurels. As the lyrics of Keep Marching remind us:
“Progress is possible, not guaranteed; it will only be made if we keep marching, keep marching on!”
ANNA’s second anniversary concert will be January 17, 2026, and will feature the premier of a new work by Moira Smiley.
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