Catch up with this month's news from GALA Choruses, the nonprofit membership association leading the LGBTQIA+ choral movement in the Americas.
Early Registration for Symposium Closes 9/30!
Join us in Austin on Feb. 25-28 and register by Sept. 30 to get the early bird discount! We have two hotel room blocks available to book now. We have just closed workshop proposal submissions and will begin sharing the schedule as soon as possible; keep an eye on our website for the latest information.
Plan for Festival 2028 with our Webinar Series
We're hosting a webinar series that kicks off on September 21 at 8pm ET / 5pm PT with Welcome to Festival 2028. Each month we'll cover a different topic—review our full list of topics and timelines here. Please fill out the interest form to get the link for any webinars you are planning to attend. All webinars will be recorded.
Sign up for Festival 2028 webinars
Seeking Branding Proposals for GALA Festival!
We are looking for a designer to partner with us to create a new logo and brand guide for GALA Festival 2028 and beyond! Proposals are due October 1; please review the RFP for the full scope of work and submission details.
LAST CALL—Get Your Tickets for California Sings! A GALA Choruses Celebration! on Sept. 19 in Los Angeles
California Sings! A GALA Choruses Celebration! brings together 12 LGBTQIA+ choruses from across the region for a joyful celebration of music and community in Los Angeles. Each participating ensemble will present its own featured performance, highlighting the diversity, artistry, and spirit of our movement. The event will conclude with a special collaborative finale, as singers from every chorus unite for one unforgettable shared performance. Don’t miss this exciting new GALA tradition in the making!
Member Corner
Featured Members
River City Mixed Chorus
River City Mixed Chorus, founded in 1984, is based in Omaha, Nebraska with more than 180 singers and has been a GALA member since 1984, following its inception. RCMC is Omaha's only LGBTQ+ and allies chorus, performing three main stage concerts annually in addition to performances at community events and alongside the Omaha Symphony and other prominent arts organizations.
River City Mixed Chorus was incredibly honored to present Craig Hella Johnson’s Considering Matthew Shepard at the Orpheum Theater as the second mainstage concert of our 42nd season. Under the direction of RCMC Artistic Director Dr. Barron Breland, the performance brought together RCMC’s talented soloists, lighting and set design by Omaha designer Bill Van Deest, and Johnson’s extraordinarily challenging and moving score to tell the story of Matthew Shepard.
For an LGBTQ+ chorus, this work carries a particular weight. Matthew was a young gay man whose life was cut tragically short in 1998 at the age of 21. His murder became a defining moment in the history of LGBTQ+ America, and his story continues to remind us of both the dangers our community has faced and the progress we have made. Nearly three decades later, telling his story through song felt both deeply personal and profoundly important.
Johnson’s oratorio uses a variety of musical styles to weave together Matt’s personal journal entries, interviews and writings from his parents, Judy and Dennis Shepard, newspaper reports, and additional texts by Johnson and Michael Dennis Browne. The work moves through grief, anger, tenderness, hope, and ultimately a call for compassion and justice. For our singers, learning the piece meant not simply mastering difficult music, but sitting with the humanity of Matt’s story and considering what it means to bear witness to another person’s life and tragic death.
The emotional and musical depth of the performance was unlike anything RCMC had experienced before. The score was demanding, and the story was difficult to carry, but the challenge brought us together in a profound way. As LGBTQ+ singers and allies, we understood that we were not simply performing a piece of music—we were helping keep Matt’s story alive and creating space for our audience to reflect, remember, and perhaps see themselves or someone they love in his story.
On concert night, the audience journeyed alongside us as the story unfolded over the course of nearly two hours. At times, the theater was filled with an awed and almost sacred silence. In those moments, we were reminded of one of the most powerful things a GALA chorus can do: use our collective voices to tell stories that matter, to honor lives that have been lost, and to affirm the dignity and humanity of LGBTQ+ people.
Telling Matt’s story was an honor and a privilege. Considering Matthew Shepard challenged us, moved us, and reminded us why we sing. We encourage other GALA mixed choruses to consider taking on this remarkable work, because sharing Matt’s story through music gives us an opportunity to remember, to bear witness, and to continue building a world rooted in compassion, justice, and love.
Coro de Hombres Gay de Montevideo
Coro de Hombres Gays de Montevideo (CHG Montevideo), founded in 2016, is based in Montevideo, Uruguay, with 38 lower voices singers and has been a GALA member since 2025. With a decade of uninterrupted activity, the Montevideo Gay Men's Chorus celebrates its tenth anniversary as a non-profit association. The organization is led by its founder and director, Maestro Alejandro Giaccone, alongside Sergio Biardo, who serves as General Secretary.
What began as a dream to enrich Montevideo's cultural scene is now an enduring reality. At this milestone, the choir renews its commitment to fostering artivism across Uruguay and continuing to sing with pride.
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Coro de Hombres Gays de Montevideo (CHG Montevideo), fundado en 2016, tiene su sede en Montevideo, Uruguay, con 38 cantantes de voces oscuras y es miembro de GALA desde 2025. Con una década de trayectoria ininterrumpida, el Coro de Hombres Gays de Montevideo celebra su décimo aniversario consolidado como una asociación civil sin fines de lucro. La institución está presidida por su fundador y director, el Maestro Alejandro Giaccone, acompañado por el Lic. Sergio Biardo en la Secretaría General.
Lo que comenzó como el sueño de enriquecer la escena cultural montevideana es hoy una realidad de permanencia. En este hito, el coro renueva su compromiso de impulsar el artivismo en todo el Uruguay y seguir cantando con orgullo.
Welcome to Our Newest Members!
Bennington Voices of Pride: founded in 2025, the Bennington Voices of Pride are led by artistic director SB Blizzard and chorus president Emily Ranttila and currently host 18 SATB singers. Their membership adds Vermont to the list of US states with a GALA chorus!
Les Gleeters: founder and artistic director Daniel Macri first started Les Gleeters in 2019, and after a couple years of living in San Francisco and singing with the San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus Daniel revived the group when he returned to Buenos Aires this past year. This 20-member SATB chorus is the first GALA member in Argentina!
Minneapolis Choir Collective: this Minnesotan semi-professional choral ensemble of 65 SATB singers formed in 2018 under founding artistic director Rack, who's joined by executive director Beth Trizna in leading the Minneapolis Choir Collective.
Nickel City Treble Makers: we're excited to officially welcome the new sibling chorus of the Buffalo Gay Men's Chorus to our membership! The Nickel City Treble Makers (Buffalo, NY) were started in 2025 by artistic director Dr. Robert Strauss and board president Ben Mason and currently include 60 SSAA voices.
Rochester Rainbow Choir: led by artistic director Dylon Starr and board chair Tyler Irvin, the Rochester Rainbow Choir was founded in 2023. Today, it's home to 60 SATB singers from Rochester, MN and the surrounding area.
Tesserae: Southern Illinois Queer+ Chorus: under the leadership of artistic director Scott Johnson and board president Lisa Hollabaugh, Tesserae is a 52-member SATB chorus founded in 2025 and based out of Carbondale, IL.
Voices United Los Angeles: founded this year by GALA Choruses Vice President Abdullah "Abby" Hall and led by executive director Kathryn Davis, Voices United Los Angeles is a trans-forward SATB chorus based out of Pasadena, CA with 20 singers.
Vox Idaho, Inc: formerly known as the Boise Women's Chorus, this choral organization was founded this year in Boise, ID with 100 SSAA members. Vox Idaho, Inc is led by artistic director Lindsay Whittig and board chair Jessica Gradhandt.
Member-Sponsored Opportunities
Windsong, Cleveland’s Feminist Chorus is heading to Carnegie Hall during NYC PRIDE 2027 (June 23-28) to sing a powerful concert of solidarity. There is still time to JOIN US, as a full choir or an individual singer - email windsongcle@gmail.com for more details. Registration ends October 1!
News Across the GALA Community
- In celebration of their 10th anniversary, the Coro de Hombres Gay de Montevideo is hosting the first meeting of Latin American LGBTQIA+ Choruses! On September 23-29, international delegations will engage in workshops, community discussions, and cultural exchange, with musical performances at two simultaneous venues on Saturday. // A celebrar su 10o aniversario, el Coro de Hombres Gay de Montevideo organiza el primer encuentro latinoamericano de coros LGBTIQ+. Del 23 al 29 de septiembre, delegaciones internacionales participarán en talleres, debates comunitarios e intercambios culturales, con presentaciones musicales en dos sedes simultáneas el sábado.
- On August 15, LanSINGout gathered 7 of Michigan's GALA member choruses for a free showcase concert to encourage and uplift each other as well as their audience. A total of more than 260 registered attendees from the host chorus, Grand Rapids Women's Chorus, Out Loud Chorus, PRISM, Sing Out Detroit, Sistrum Chorus, and West Michigan Voices of Pride participated, with a majority of them staying for a social hour following the concert. Check out LanSINGout's social media takeover of GALA Choruses' Instagram and Facebook for a special behind-the-scenes look!
- GALA Choruses is proud to host California Sings! A GALA Choruses Celebration! in Los Angeles on September 19. Twelve choruses from throughout California state are planned to perform and come together to sing the finale: the Gay Men's Chorus of Los Angeles, Men Alive! Orange County's Gay Men's Chorus, the Palm Springs Gay Men's Chorus, the Queer Chorus of San Francisco, the Rainbow Women's Chorus, the San Diego Gay Men's Chorus, the San Diego Women's Chorus, the Silicon Valley Gay Men's Chorus, the South Coast Chorale, the Trans Chorus of Los Angeles, Voices United Los Angeles, and the West Coast Singers.
- At the Tokyo International Choir Competition last month, the Golden Gate Men's Chorus under the guidance of Artistic Director Joe Piazza received golden diplomas in every category it entered and earned the audience favorite award for their Folklore performance! It was the first time that an LGBTQ+ chorus was selected for this renowned East Asian choir competition. The GGMC also made use of the opportunity to connect with Pride Choir Tokyo, and is very thankful for PCT's generous hospitality.
- The Eugene Gay Men's Chorus recently welcomed Dr. Kendra Taylor as their interim artistic director.
- OurSong Atlanta has announced the winners of their 25th Anniversary Choral Composition Contest whose works will make up the multi-themed core of the choral song cycle presented at their Spring 2027 concert: Natalie Stein (LOVE), Theo Greer and Nick Schumacher (TRUTH), Edmund Jolliffe (RESILIENCE), Joe Elefante (UNITY), and Simon Pearson (LEGACY).
- Puget Soundworks has been awarded funds by 4Culture, King County’s cultural agency, for the second year in a row to reduce economic barriers for Puget Soundworsk' singers and audience members. In 2025, this grant covered or discounted dues for 100 singers, and provided nearly 130 free community access concert tickets to audience members. They were also given a grant by the Jon Sims Endowment for the Performing Arts for the construction of additional choral risers for their singers.
- The San Diego Gay Men’s Chorus partnered with the San Diego Blood Bank to launch “Pride in Every Drop,” an annual community blood drive rooted in service, healing, visibility, and pride after decades of discriminatory policies that excluded LGBTQ+ people from participating in this simple lifesaving act.
Submit Your Chorus's Updates for the Next Newsletter
GALA Highlights
Queer Voices | Ep. 2.15 | Interview with Dr. Thea Kano and Dr. Chipper Dean on the 2026 Gay Games Choral Festival
Join us for a conversation with two of the figures behind the 2026 Gay Games Choral Festival. Co-Artistic Director Dr. Thea Kano—also Artistic Director of the Gay Men's Chorus of Washington DC—and Production Manager Dr. Chipper Dean, also the Executive Director of the Heartland Men's Chorus, discuss the history of the Gay Games, how the choral program came together, the most impactful moments of the festival, and more. Listen wherever you get your podcasts or .
Queer Voices | Ep. 2.16 | Interview with Diana Clegg and Midge Stocker of Artemis Singers & the Sister Singers Network
Listen to a fascinating conversation with long-time members of Artemis Singers and co-directors of the 2026 Sister Singers Festival, Diana Clegg and Midge Stocker. Throughout the course of the episode, the group discusses the history and unique structure of Artemis Singers, Chicago's Lesbian Feminist Chorus; the mission and growth of the Sister Singers Network, a cooperative web of feminist choruses; past and future collaborations between SSN and GALA Choruses; and more. Listen wherever you get your podcasts or .
GALA Member Perspectives | "Singing saves my life"
Portland Sage Singers' member Sandra de Helen shared a touching reflection on the importance of our LGBTQIA+ choruses as a significant and sometimes sole source of community for singers. Read here.
Read GALA Choruses' 2025 Impact Report
Our annual report provides particular highlights of GALA Choruses' work and how it positions us for the years ahead. Learn more about our work throughout the year, meet a few of the special choruses that make up the incredible family that is GALA Choruses, and discover how we strive to serve as a leader in artistic, administrative, and organizational excellence for LGBTQIA+ choirs. Browse here.
