Correspondence: Jessica L. Gallagher-Steuver, Case Western Reserve University, 11118 Bellflower Road, Cleveland, OH 44106. jls454@case.edu
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7198-8122
Dear Reader,
Welcome to the first issue of the Journal of Queer Choral Studies: The Official Academic Publication of GALA Choruses!
I completed my Ph.D. in Music Education at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio in the spring of 2025. My research was inspired by members of Windsong, Cleveland’s Feminist Chorus, the GALA ensemble I’ve had the privilege of conducting for the past four years. Through talking with Windsong members, I came to realize that I had limited understanding of the unique stressors and triumphs of queer older adults, as well as the important role Windsong played in their lives. Researchers have studied benefits of group singing at length, and there appears to be growing interest in queer studies in choral music and music education. There did not, however, appear to be an academic home dedicated primarily to queer choral studies.
This journal is unique in many ways. The JOQCS Editorial Board was adamant about making this journal as accessible as possible to readers and researchers alike. JOQCS is an open access journal; we wanted to avoid creating any financial barriers to this important research. Additionally, we want to welcome a wide variety of perspectives –- researchers, conductors, choir members, and more –- to contribute to this journal. It is time to bridge the gap between GALA Choruses and the growing queer choral research world.
While assembling this first issue, we encountered setbacks, miscommunications, and constant revision of our expectations. One board member commented that we were “sight-reading as we were learning the music.” We found that, while we aimed to accept a variety of articles, clearer parameters were needed. In future issues, articles will fit into one of three categories: original research, practitioner articles, and spotlight articles. Interested authors will select the category that they believe best fits their work based on the descriptions in our Submission Guidelines. Additionally, authors will determine whether they would like to undergo a double-anonymous peer-review, an open peer review, or an open writing mentorship.
Through all steps of this journey, I am thankful to GALA Choruses for their support, as well as all of our board members and peer reviewers who helped make JOQCS a reality. I am truly excited to see how queer choral research may flourish with the addition of this accessible resource.Proudly sing on,Jessica L. Gallagher-SteuverFounding Editor-in-Chief, The Journal of Queer Choral Studies
Proudly sing on,
Jessica L. Gallagher-Steuver
Founding Editor-in-Chief, The Journal of Queer Choral Studies
