Addison Trail freshman performs on ‘The Late Show with Stephen Colbert’ with Chicago Children’s Choir

As we continue to face a time of unprecedented social unrest, one Addison Trail student recently participated in an event focused on unity, peace and equity.

As a member of the Chicago Children’s Choir, freshman Angela (Ella) Anello (pictured above) appeared on “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” on Jan. 20 after the Presidential Inauguration. Peter CottonTale – a music producer and composer from Chicago – assembled an ensemble featuring the choir, Chance The Rapper, Cynthia Erivo, Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestras and Kofi Lost for a performance of his song "Together." The performance was filmed in Chicago. To watch the segment, click the video above.

Anello and 19 other members of the Chicago Children's Choir were originally selected to sing as part of the inauguration, but were invited to “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” instead after the events of Jan. 6, 2021.

“It was a really emotional, really inspiring and really cool experience,” Anello said. “It feels amazing to be part of something to make our ancestors proud that we’re standing up for blackness and our history. Our goal with this performance is to create hope and unity.”

This is Anello’s first year with the Chicago Children's Choir, where she is part of the alto section. According to https://ccchoir.org, the group “is a non-profit organization that inspires and (brings together) youth from diverse backgrounds to become global citizens through music.”

Anello also is a member of Addison Trail's Beginning Mixed Chorus.

“I’m excited to see what the school’s music program has to offer,” she said.