We are in the process of updating and reorganizing our digital library, so the appearance of this page and the resource navigation options may change. Some resources that have been designated as no longer relevant by our Membership & Education Committee have been archived. If you are looking for particular resources please reach out to us at info@galachoruses.org.
Some GALA choruses are open to any community member without any audition process. Others have some kind of audition requirement. The decision to audition or not is one that both the board and artistic director need to make based on the mission and focus of the chorus.
Many in GALA choruses see the times shifting around them. My own chorus now has a few cisgender women singing first tenor, post-transition transmen in three different sections, 6-8 straight cisgender men at any given time. At various times, we have had transwomen members, singing in various sections.
These are specific steps to have a meeting resulting in a list of possible board candidates.
Developing strong, healthy boards is a critical issue for all of our member choruses.
The Board Job Description discusses responsibilities of the Board as a whole and of individual members of the Board
The Board of Directors Responsibilities is another example with very specific financial obligations included.
I have sung in one GALA chorus or another for thirty years. I have attended every GALA festival since 1989: I participated as an alto in a lesbian chorus and as an alto in a mixed chorus, then post-transition as a bass in a mixed chorus and as a baritone in a men’s chorus. Each festival I’ve attended has brought with it an experience of marginalization.
New Harmony Task Force members regularly have conversations with individuals, and chorus committees, who are struggling to convince chorus leaders and chorus members to embrace the important work of Equity, Access and Belonging. We’ve collected and crafted a few ideas for you to try.
