Who We Are
The Sydney Gay & Lesbian Choir (SGLC) is a non-auditioned choir. The choir is open to all – lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered, Intersex, Queer and our straight allies (click here to see how to join us). Our members come from all walks of life and backgrounds, bringing together a culturally diverse blend. The members participate in all facets of the choir: as choristers, section leaders, work group members, backstage hands, administration assistants or committee members. The choir is a charitable institution. We seek on-going support from members, patrons and friends. This support ensures that we are able to continue to bring the joy of song into many lives!
History
The choir was formed in 1991, following a letter published in the Sydney Star Observer newspaper in November 1990. This heartfelt letter brought together a group of people to form what is today known as the award-winning Sydney Gay & Lesbian Choir. Over the years, the choir has been growing both musically and in our membership. We have been delighted to perform with many great artists from Australia and abroad: Anela Toohey, Bob Downe, David Campbell, Geraldine Turner, Jeanne Little, Jimmy Somerville, Judy Connelli, Julian Clary, k.d. lang, Linda Nagle, Nancy Hayes, Paul Capsis, Peter Cousens, Slim Dusty, Todd McKenny, and many more. (Click here to see a list of our past performances)
Our Music Director, Sarah Penicka-Smith
Our Patrons
THE HONOURABLE JUSTICE MICHAEL KIRBY AC CMG
Justice of the High Court of Australia
Justice Michael Kirby has been a Justice of the High Court of Australia since 1996, and is one of Australia's longest serving judges. He was first appointed in 1975 to the Australian Conciliation and Arbitration Commission as a Deputy President. Justice Kirby served as foundation Chairman of the Australian Law Reform Commission from 1975 to 1984. In 1983 he was appointed a Judge of the Federal Court of Australia. In 1984 he became President of the New South Wales Court of Appeal. In 1995 Justice Kirby was appointed President of the Court of Appeal of Solomon Islands. He relinquished the last two posts in 1996 on his elevation to the High Court.
Justice Kirby holds Honorary Doctorates from the University of Sydney, Newcastle University and Macquarie University in Australia, the Universities of Ulster and Buckingham in the United Kingdom, and the National Law School University in India.
Justice Kirby was awarded the Australian Human Rights Medal in 1991 and the UNESCO Prize for Human Rights Education in 1998. At the end of 2000, he was elected a Member of the American Law Institute. In 2001 he was appointed to the Advisory Council to the International Programme of the Institute of Advanced Legal Studies in London. Justice Kirby is a Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George (CMG) and a Companion of the Order of Australia (AC).
Emma Ayres
Dr Sarah Penicka-Smith is an experienced choral director and educator. She has been Music Director of the Sydney Gay & Lesbian Choir since 2005, Choir Master of the Willoughby Symphony Choir since 2010, and Director of Music at St Andrew’s College since 2011.
From 2008 – 2009 Sarah was Assistant Chorusmaster with Sydney Philharmonia Choirs, and she made her Sydney Opera House debut in May 2009 with the Sydney Philharmonia Festival Chorus and Orchestra. In 2010 Sarah directed the 61st Intervarsity Choral Festival in Canberra and also started working with new chamber opera company Opera Prometheus.
Her opera credits include Purcell’s The Fairy Queen, with Sydney Gay & Lesbian Choir (the first opera ever staged by a queer choir), and Campra’s Tancrede with Opera Prometheus. Sarah has been accepted into the 2012 Conductor Development Program with Symphony Australia and will undertake a mastercourse with Marko Letonja and the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra. In addition to her musical credits, Sarah holds a PhD from the University of Sydney.
Emma is a musician, music teacher, and radio presenter. She is notable for her work on the Australian ABC Classic FM radio station, as well as for her numerous charitable efforts.
Emma grew up in Shrewsbury, England. She graduated from the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester, and made further studies at the Hochschule der Künste in Berlin and at the Royal Academy in London.
She was a professional viola player for twelve years—including eight years performing with the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra.
In 2001 she presented the classical music breakfast show on the RTHK station in Hong Kong, and has been presenting the breakfast program on the ABC Classic FM radio station since 4 February 2008.
In 2008 Emma taught at the Melbourne Girls Grammar School, and currently teaches cello to a wide range of private students.
She moved from Hong Kong to Australia in February 2003, and now lives in Sydney (cycling to work each day). In 2010, she adopted Australian Citizenship.
Emma has been involved in a number of charitable efforts. In 2000, she raised money by making a nine-month cycling trip from Shropshire in England to Hong Kong. In 2011 she helped raised over $11,000 for the victims of the floods in Queensland by busking in Sydney and Melbourne.
