LGBTQ people have been excluded from the mainstream throughout history, and have fought since the late 1960s for the fundamental human rights to be visible, to love, to marry, to be protected under the law. It is perhaps no surprise, then, that the inclusion and sense of community that singers of all backgrounds feel in a choral group is something especially important to LGBTQ+ singers. Choral groups, it turns out, have a unique function in the LGBTQ+ community, as a safe space and a place of deep belonging.

If you asked singers LGBTQ choruses why they sing, 70%–80% would say “because these are my friends” or “this is my chosen family.”

Now for the first time in Surrey, LGBTQ+ poeple can feel free to belong and sing out in a safe space and all the while doing it to also help our own community with the funds we raise at our concerts.

(quotes from Charles Beale as written in the Oxford Handbook of Choral Pedagogy)

Our rehearsals generally starts with a quick warm-up exercise and then it’s straight into singing.  Sometimes we start by singing a few songs that we already are confident with and then we move on to the new pieces we are learning.

Our music is generally accompanied by professional backing tracks. Cliff always teaches short phrases at a reasonable pace – always checking with the members whether the phrase is largely learned before moving on. 

The repetition of short phrases is the easiest way to learn music in a large group and no-one ever gets left behind.

Frankly my dear, we don't give a damn whether you can read music or not!  You are welcome...  All you need is a burning desire to sing and be part of a choir that judges no-one, and doesn't care who you are or where you come from.

While we do hand out sheet music, you will learn side by side with other choir members who may or may not be able to read music - but if you can read the words and hold a tune - you're sorted!