RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, John Vorrasi, has been called to his eternal life by the wisdom of God at the age of 66; and,
WHEREAS, The Chicago City Council has been informed of his passing by Alderman Thomas M. Tunney; and,
WHEREAS, John was known as a singer, cofounder, artistic director and longtime guiding light of the William Ferris Chorale for forty three seasons; and,
WHEREAS, John launched the William Ferris Chorale with his longtime partner Bill Ferris in 1971, and continued to guide the chorus after Ferris's sudden death in 2000; and,
WHEREAS, John enjoyed a long and respected career as a concert soloist, cantor and liturgical music specialist, holding positions at Chicago's Holy Name Cathedral, Congregation Solel in Highland Park, KAM Isaiah Israel, and Our Lady of Mt Carmel Church; and,
WHEREAS, known for his work as a librettist, essayist and program annotator and a widely respected tenor, John has been featured at the Aldeburgh Festival and the Spoleto Festival: USA and his recitals have been broadcast by the BBC and Radio Vaticana. John has appeared on numerous occasions with the Chicago Opera Theater, Rochester Chamber Orchestra, the Chicago String Ensemble and the Virginia Philharmonic; and,
WHEREAS, John's love of life and his ability to live it to the fullest endeared John to his family, friends and all who knew him, and enabled him not only to enrich their lives in ways they will never forget, but the Chicago arts scene was surely enriched by his presence and participation; and,
BE IT RESOLVED, that we, the Mayor and members of the City Council of the City of Chicago, assembled this 18th day of March 2015, do hereby honor the life and memory of John Vorrasi and extend our heartfelt condolences to his family; and,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of John Vorrasi as a token of our honor, gratitude and respect.
Thomas M. Tunjney Alderman, 44th Ward