“I'm sitting here listening to the Tui song and I'm nearly CRYING!! How odd! 

It's why I know I'm in the choir.

Hearing the songs takes me back to that stage, where my gender, sexuality, age, height, weight, race, economic/social background all didn't matter one jot! 

If I could bottle that feeling of raw human-ness vocalised in such a strong and beautiful unison while singing in the performance and drink it every day, I would!

The rehearsals and the sectionals and the words and the costumes and the sitting and standing and conducting....and all for that performance.

So worth it. So very very worth it. I LOVE SGLC!

Soli is in his early 20’s and joined the choir Jan ’10. This was his Facebook response to listening to the choir on this website.

“Sing, Sing. Everybody starts to sing!” Yes it’s a wonderful jazzy, joyous tune and fun to sing, but nevertheless not a simple piece. Yet we persist, and I do enjoy the variety of music we cover at the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Choir.

Well why do we persist and “sing, sing”? For me it embraces many things. First it gives me a sense of group social solidarity. We have witnessed a trend over the last few years seeing the growth of marginalised groups being empowered through various choir TV programs and movies. They include diverse groups, representing the unemployed, street people, prisoners and the elderly.

I have heard that traditional societies have used community singing circles to heal and maintain their social cohesion. In such singing/support circles people can share difficult feelings such as grief, trauma, and death during funeral and other ceremonial services. Likewise we as a gay choir have performed and shared our experiences at AIDS memorial gatherings, witnessing to the healing power of music.

Secondly I acknowledge the general health benefits of singing: it is well known that singing improves your breathing by giving your lungs a good workout, thereby improving your aerobic capacity. It is thought that singing also enhances your chances of longevity. Recently we have also learnt that singing provides pleasure to unborn babies. A study by Japanese researchers has demonstrated that pregnant women watching musicals can increase their babies’ level of happiness in the womb!

Thirdly I can verify by personal experience and observation, the psychological advantages of singing. This is because it seems that our immune systems are boosted so that we can process emotions better and reduce our stress levels. Feeling tired and flat after a busy day before I attend rehearsals, I frequently leave our group feeling up beat and mentally rejuvenated.

Working as a mental health professional I often hear positive stories from colleagues. In one episode I was told of a combined staff/patient choir for a special event in which a sad, distressed client had thoughts of harming herself but was inspired and changed her mood state and behaviour after the choir performed. So an effective treatment was procured!

Lastly the visibility of an openly Gay and Lesbian Choir makes a political witness which I find inspiring. For example at a regional NSW choral event we shocked some of the locals of a small town who marvelled at the sight of two guys holding hands as they walked down the main street. I also learnt from my local billets that they had become the unofficial Gay Counselling Centre for that region. They were pleased to have some gay camaraderie from the choir and told me the tale of how a local woman bailed them up in their local store because she was worried about her troublesome, possibly gay son. She wanted them to talk to him, which they did, to the boy’s and mother’s relief.

I enjoy our provocative role which we often demonstrate to the general public, such as  last Australia Day when we had a singing gig at the Rocks. We sang that old favourite “Going to the Chapel” (“…and we’re going to get married”). However we got a few surprised chuckles when the women in the choir sang – “She’ll be mine!” and the guys sang  – “He’ll be mine!”

And so I, like many others, sing for many reasons – social solidarity, maintaining my mental and emotional well being, supporting the Gay Community and its causes, and mostly because it’s encouraging and lots of fun!

Murray James and has been singing with the SGLC for over three years. He works as mental health nurse/counsellor and a drug and alcohol counsellor/group leader. He also works as Quit Cigarettes Specialist Hypnotherapist, writes movie reviews for the Nurses Lamp and other health related articles.

Why 1. Someone once said to me... If you can't carry it, you shouldn't play it! I'm definitely one for thinking ahead - thats why I sing!!

Why 2. At a time when my life was very different to what it is now..and singing was only a small addition to the things I did... A medical diagnosis turned my world upside down! NOTHING I had planned for the future seemed possible anymore...and the one thing I had left was my ability to sing. Something much bigger than me was telling me my life needed to change, and singing was an enormous part of making that happen. It helped me escape the fear and stress at the time, and still does. When I sing, everything else goes away.

Candy Jacques

I have enjoyed singing ever since I was little and never really had the chance to pursue it. It had been my refuge and it never fails to make me feel better about myself. And now, I have been introduced to a bunch of people who like me; share one passion - the love of singing.

Every week is a new experience, the combined efforts of all those around me feels like electricity...running through us and between us. Nothing else matters except;  hitting the right notes!

The choir itself is unique on its own. As individuals, each person is a character to reckon with and adds to the whole persona of being eclectic. We all have our own tribulations and triumphs, but as a group we are all united and ready to face the world with our music. 

My time with the choir made me feel more comfortable about my sexuality and me as a person. Even though I still have a lot to learn on how to open up even more towards other people and making my presence felt within the group; I know I'll get there in due time. I'm glad I did join the choir, its familiar territory for me. It feels like coming home.

Tony Perez

At the end of 1995 my partner of 18 years passed away and I knew that I needed a positive vehicle to reconnect with the Gay & Lesbian Community as I had also lost a significant number of my close friends to HIV/AIDS over the preceding years and I knew that the friends remaining who were in relationships would drift away.

The thought of going to bars etc held no appeal and although I didn’t think that I could sing I still wanted to be a part of the choir, so after hearing the choir sing in February 1996 I resolved to join.

I was hooked from the first rehearsal and have discovered wonderful friends and  travelled to places I never imagined I would, and have performed in places such as the Concertgebouw.

The Choir is a wonderful way to express one’s “Gay Pride” as it’s a terrific experience to walk onto a stage and realise that the audience either doesn’t appreciate or approve of us, but when we sing we work our magic and our combined voices gently reach past the defences of even the most homophobic person and we are able to “touch” their hearts.

Bringing family members to choir performances has helped my family on their journey of fully accepting me and it provided an opportunity for my mother to meet the other parents of choir members and to realise that she could be openly proud of her son and his friends.  Mum would attend performances whenever she could, including Mythologia in Brisbane, and she was a very proud “Choir Mum”.

When I stand on stage with my friends and we work our “magic” I know that all the hard work is worth it and why I’ve been singing for almost 15 years.

The choir is a safe place for us as members and we get to meet some truly remarkable people and to work with a lot of interesting and famous artists.

Graeme Bartlett

Long before I come to Sydney to live and work, I had heard of a couple of famous Gay Choirs, among them San Francisco and London. So when I moved here I was really curious about finding out more about the Sydney Gay & Lesbian Choir.

 

After being in Sydney for a while, since my partner and I are separated a fair bit of time in a year, I had decided that I needed to do something positive (and for socialising), so I finally decided to check out this group. I was hoping this leisure activity would keep me positive and give me a great chance to meet with some new people or friend, and I was right and never regretted joining the choir.

 

From the first day I arrived, my section leaders were warm and friendly, and kindly looked after me. Even though I didn’t have the voice and knowledge to begin with (now with some vocal training and “braving up”, I am better ), I feel I belong and am welcomed by them all. As time goes by, not only have I met a couple true great friends from the choir but also my interest, skill and passion to sing/perform has grown and blossomed.

 

Sadly most of people perceive the gay lifestyle as drug/drink, rock & roll and sex. With my participation in the group, I have met so many positive and cheering personal, who show me how cheerful, positive and amazingly good life that one gay person should/can be living!!

 

Last but not least, I have invited my beloved partner and friends to many of our concerts which they all very much enjoy and are touched by our group performance, it even brings tears to their eyes at time!

 

All-in-all, I have had a great time with good friends who all share the same passion - Singing, in an amazing and professional choir group setting, that’s why I joined and stayed.

Samuel Tsang

I first saw the choir when it was about 6 months old, at a performance in Leichhardt Town Hall in 1991, and immediately felt I have to be a part of that. I have pretty much stayed with the choir since, to the point now where it is part of my life, and I couldn't contemplate not being a choir member.

Back when I first joined, I was 34 (young?) and gorgeous (who am I kidding!). I did not have a partner and whilst I led a gay lifestyle, I didn't have much to do with the wider gay and lesbian community. I had always loved music, but had little experience with singing. So, I wanted to do something musical in my life, as well as meeting more gay and lesbian people and becoming a visible member of our community. The choir dutifully delivered, and for almost 20 years, my life has been enriched far beyond my original expectations. My partner of 17 years, Paul, takes great delight in reminding me my relationship with the choir is longer that my relationship with him!

My first rehearsal held some trepidation for me. It was in the old sandstone church on Oxford Street, Paddington, and I didn't know anyone in the choir. However, it didn't take long for me to feel welcome, and settle down in the bass section. One of my earlier memories from that time is a gig we did for Leather Pride Day. It was on a sunny Sunday afternoon near Taylor Square, and the makeshift stage was the back of a flatbed truck with a ramp leading up to it. As I was the first in the back row, I was to lead the choir onto the stage. This was the first time I had had this privileged, and so, was feeling some anxiety about my debut. As we had little time before the performance and had not rehearsed getting on and off the stage, the organiser simply waved his hand in the direction I was to take, and left the rest up to me. After some delay, it was finally time for us to perform, so I proudly led the choir forward and made my way towards the truck. I was halfway up the ramp when I thought something was amiss. The flatbed of the truck was full of technical gear. To my horror I realised I had mounted (so to speak) the wrong truck, which was to the side and a little behind the right one. Not knowing what to do, I froze on the ramp. Those behind me kept going, and, chaos ensued. All I could think of doing was to double back, ignoring the carnage around me, and head for the right truck. This I did, successfully mounting the correct vehicle, and, in true showbiz fashion, carried on as if nothing untoward had occurred. However, I think my red face gave the game away! I could see Stephen Schafer, our musical director at the time, was impressed, though not favourably. However, to his credit, he said nothing at the time, and the incident was never spoken of again.

There are countless other wonderful memories of the choir I cherish and I will mention three, which demonstrate why joining the choir was the right decision.

Our first big competition was the National Choral Championships in Wagga Wagga. As I'm sure most of you know, we were asked to change our name to one more "acceptable" to the sponsors. We rejected this request, and of course went on to win the title. Apart from the feeling of euphoria, and yelling myself hoarse after hearing the

result, my strongest memory is of the announcement of our victory. It was made by the Managing Director of the now defunct Kendall Airlines. As the main sponsor of the competition, it was his duty to do the honours. He was a large, middle-aged, conservative looking man in a suit. I remember him being up on stage in front of the packed

auditorium full of nervous choristers, waiting to hear their fate. He took the envelope from his pocket, opened it, and read the contents to himself. He immediately went pale, and perspiration gathered on his upper lip. He opened his mouth, but nothing came out. He looked like he had something unpleasant caught in the back of his throat, which he was trying to expel. He had another go, and in a thin voice said "The winner is the Sydney G...G...Gay and L...L...Lesbian Choir." He almost choked on the G and L consonants, and clearly had never uttered such

offensive words in his life before. It was a joy to behold!

The opening ceremony of the 1998 Gay Games in Amsterdam. We entered the packed stadium in our special choir outfits with the rest of the Australian team and the memory of the deafening roar from the crowd as we made our way around the field still gives me goosebumps. Along with tears in my eyes, I felt proud to be gay, and proud to be Australian (I'm not sure in which order).

And lastly, I was made a Life Member of the choir last year. I felt undeserving of the honour, as I had simply shown up on more Thursday nights than most other people. However, this meant a great deal to me, and I feel privileged to have been recognised in such a way by an organisation which I respect more than any other I have been associated with.

Why do I keep coming to choir every Thursday night? JOY.

Stuart Anderson

Bass 2