London Gay Men's Chorus

London Gay Men’s Chorus
London Gay Men's Chorus logo
Background information
Origin	London, England, United Kingdom
Genres	20th century, baroque, choral, classical, folk, gospel, jazz, popular, show tunes,
Occupation(s)	Men's Choir
Instruments	190 voices
Years active	1991-present
Associated acts	London Gay Men's Chorus Ensemble (formerly Far From Kansas)
Website	www.lgmc.org.uk
Members	Chairman John D Carrion Artistic Director Simon Sharp Assistant Musical Director Chris Pethers

Founded in 1991 by a group of nine gay men, the London Gay Men’s Chorus is now, with around 190 singing members and over 230 members in total, Europe’s largest and best knowngay choir.

With a widely varying repertoire from classical music to folk, jazz, pop, R&B or show tunes, and often including choreography, the Chorus's aim is to challenge preconceptions - both musical and social - in society, while providing a social network for its members. The Chorus operates an open access policy, allowing anyone to join. New members are simply voice-tested and not auditioned when they join the group.

The Chorus rehearses at Cecil Sharp House, Camden Town and has offices at Hampstead Town Hall Centre, Belsize Park.

With approximately 190 voices, the London Gay Men's Chorus has four singing sections, bass, baritone, first tenor and second tenor. Each section is divided between upper and lower voices supported by a music support team drawn from the ranks. SemiTones are non-singing members who help support the chorus, primarily with serving refreshments during break and Front of House activities during a concert.

A group of auditioned members constitute the 'ensemble' (LGMCe), a small group which works as an ambassadorial and fundraising entity and performs at corporate events, civil partnership and wedding ceremonies.

The Music Team including the musical director their deputies and assistants are professionals employed on freelance contracts by the Chorus.

The Chorus also employs a general manager but mostly draws on volunteer work from its members to support its activities.

As of 2012, the Chorus is governed by an elected steering committee composed of a chair, vice-chair, secretary, and treasurer with eight additional members who share responsibility for the various areas of activities of the Chorus including music, production, marketing, membership, external relations, and youth, education outreach.

Revenue comes from membership subscriptions, ticket and merchandise sales, donations, and performance fees.

The Chorus has had a number of commercial sponsors, both monetary donors and providers of pro bono professional services, including the former pioneering gay website Queercompany, design firm Marsh and Malone who developed a new corporate identity in 2005-6, and fundraising consultants Brakeley. The Chorus also enjoyed a commercial relationship with Selfridges, and has sung carols in the Oxford Street store during the Christmas season for five years (between 2004 and 2008).