Queer Chorus of San Francisco

Queer Chorus of San Francisco
Also known asQCSF
OriginSan Francisco, California, United States
GenresBroadway, choral, classical, jazz, popular
OccupationChoir
Instrumentca. 35 voices
Years active1980-present
MembersArtistic and Music Director
Michael Reilly
Websiteqcsf.org

The Queer Chorus of San Francisco (QCSF) was founded in 1980[1] by Jon Reed Sims (1947–1984).[2][3] Initially known as the San Francisco Lesbian and Gay Men’s Community Chorus, it was the world's first choral organization to use both "lesbian" and "gay" in its name,[4] Within a few years, the chorus changed its name to Lesbian/Gay Chorus of San Francisco (LGCSF). In March 2022, by a vote of its membership, the group changed its name to "The Queer Chorus of San Francisco".[5]

The Queer Chorus of San Francisco is dedicated to building and enriching its communities through the universal language of music.

Selected concerts

  • BrokeBACH Mountain, November 18 and 19, 2011, Mission Cultural Center for Latino Arts, San Francisco, CA
  • A Shameless Show of Holiday Shite, December 18 and 19, 2011, Martuni's Piano Bar, San Francisco, CA
  • Love Bites, and so did the 80s, February 10, 11, and 12, 2012, Missional Cultural Center for Latino Arts, San Francisco, CA
  • World Premiere: Harvey Milk: A Cantata, text by Harvey Milk, music composed by Jack Curtis Dubowsky, April 27, 2012, Lick-Wilmerding High School, San Francisco, CA
  • 34th Annual Pride Concert: Harvey Milk: A Cantata, June 22, 2012, San Francisco Conservatory of Music, San Francisco, CA
  • 35th Annual Pride Concert: Ripped From The Headlines! Music Celebrating LGBT Stories, June 22, 2013, San Francisco Conservatory of Music, San Francisco, CA
  • We Celebrate!, November 16, 2013, First Unitarian Church, San Francisco, CA
  • Swing Break, April 11 and 12, 2014, Mission Cultural Center for Latino Arts, San Francisco, CA

Music directors

  • Robin Kay (1980)
  • Pat Parr
  • Trent Morant
  • Michael Carlson
  • Jerry R. Foust
  • Stephanie Lynne Smith (2002–2010)
  • William "Billy" Sauerland (2011–2017)[6][7]
  • Michael Reilly (2017–present)[8]

Awards

  • Best Concert, Cable Car Awards (multiple recipient)
  • Bob Cramer Award for Excellence, Cable Car Awards, 1992
  • Arts Excellence Award, San Francisco Chamber of Commerce, 1994

Recordings

  • Together in Harmony (1994)
  • Wish You Were Here (2000)
  • 25th Anniversary (2005)
  • Group Therapy (2005)

Affiliations

Notes and references

  1. ^ Ahlquist, Karen, ed. (2006). Chorus and Community, Volume 2. University of Illinois Press. p. 251. ISBN 9780252072840.
  2. ^ "About Jon Sims". Jon Sims Endowment Fund for the Performing Arts. Retrieved May 3, 2017.
  3. ^ Sims also founded the San Francisco Lesbian/Gay Freedom Band and San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus.
  4. ^ Bronner, Simon J. (March 4, 2015). Encyclopedia of American Folklife. Routledge. p. 484. ISBN 9781317471950.
  5. ^ "We've become the queer chorus of san francisco". Queer Chorus of San Francisco. May 31, 2022. Retrieved March 29, 2023.
  6. ^ "History". Lesbian/Gay Chorus of San Francisco. Retrieved May 3, 2017.
  7. ^ Nugent, Michael (April 26, 2017). "Lesbian/gay chorus director stepping down". Bay Area Reporter. Retrieved May 5, 2019.
  8. ^ "Staff". Lesbian/Gay Chorus of San Francisco. Retrieved August 24, 2017.
  9. ^ "Lesbian/Gay Chorus of San Francisco". GALA Choruses. Retrieved May 3, 2017.

See also