To celebrate their 15th Anniversary, the award-winning South Wales Gay Men’s Chorus is excited to return to the stage with their 2023 concert ‘The good, the bad and the truly OUTRAGEOUS!’ at St Andrews Church, Cardiff on Saturday 20 May at 7.30pm.
The chorus has been together since 2008 and has undergone significant transformation and change over that time, from a small group of likeminded singers to an internationally recognised award-winning choir, and a loved and respective part of South Wales LGBTQ+ community. These past 15 years, the choir has been known for fine-tuning their performances, cementing their place on the LGBTQ+ choral scene, singing for equality and raising money for charity.
Reflecting on the past 15 years, Musical Director, Chris Fossey, said:
"Having been with the chorus since its inaugural rehearsal as an accompanist, it is astounding to reflect upon the last 15 years of performances, achievements and experiences as a choir since those humble beginnings. I am both delighted and proud to be leading the chorus in its 15th: year and we can’t wait to present this wildly eclectic and vibrant programme of songs”
The concert setlist is themed around heroes & villains and it’s promised that the range of songs will be good and, of course, a splash of truly outrageous choralography! The only bad thing is that it’s for one night only!
For this anniversary concert, South Wales gay Men’s Chorus will be joined by special guests, the Bristol Gay Men’s Chorus, who will be bringing their own setlist to the land of song.
The compere for the evening will be seasoned performer, Adam Pitt, who will be bringing his many years of experience to entertain the audience.
South Wales Gay Men's Chorus contribution for LGBTQYMRU's Wales-wide Virtual Pride during the Covid-19 pandemic lockdown.
And this is just the start of more to come from South Wales Gay Men's Chorus: later this summer the choir will be heading off to Bologna in Italy for the Various Voices International LGBTQ+ Choir Festival! The festival only takes place every 4 years, so for many in the choir this will be their first opportunity to perform with the choir abroad.
Chair of the Chorus, and LGBTQYMRU’s very own, Craig Stephenson OBE said:
“This year is shaping up to be equally as busy as 2022. This concert is our first of many engagements planned for the coming months and we really can’t wait to get out there and perform this setlist. Some newer members will be performing with us for the first time, and we will be at a new venue so it’s very exciting.
Also celebrating their 15th anniversary year is the Choir With No Name, the choir whose mission is to empower as many homeless and marginalised people as possible showcase their talents, build personal resilience, and positive, joyful singing communities. South Wales Gay Men’s Chorus aim to raise as much money as possible for them over the next year and will therefore be holding a retiring collection at the end of the concert.
If you’re interested in joining the choirs, they are always happy to welcome new members. As a non-auditioning choir, they ask you reach out to them on social media or via email GayChorus@gmail.com