To celebrate their 15th Anniversary, the award-winning South Wales Gay Men’s Chorus is excited to return to the stage with their heroes & villains themed concert for 2023. THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE TRULY OUTRAGEOUS! is at St Andrews Church on Penylan Road in Cardiff next month.
The concert setlist is themed around heroes & villains and they promise that the range of songs will be good and of course they will bring a splash of truly outrageous choralography! The only bad thing is that it’s for one night only!
The chorus has spent the last 15 years fine-tuning their performances, cementing their place on the LGBTQ+ choral scene, singing for equality and raising money for charity. They have every intention of doing the same over the next 15 years, reaching wider audiences as well as entertaining their fantastic supporters across South Wales and beyond.
For this anniversary concert, they are really excited to be joined by special guests, the Bristol Gay Men’s Chorus. They’re delighted that they accepted the invitation and are looking forward to hearing their set when they hop across the bridge to be here in the land of song.
The compere for the evening will be seasoned performer Adam Pitt who will bring his many years of experience to entertain the audience.
Chair of the Chorus, Craig Stephenson OBE told us…..
“This year is shaping up to be equally as busy as 2022. This concert is our first of many engagements planned for the coming months and we really can’t wait to get out there and perform this setlist. Some newer members will be performing with us for the first time, and we will be at a new venue so it’s very exciting.
It goes without saying that we have several fantastic arrangements from our own super-talented Musical Director, Chris Fossey. To celebrate 15 years together, we’ve made sure that there is something for everyone in this setlist.”
Musical Director, Chris Fossey added….
“Having been with the chorus since its inaugural rehearsal as an accompanist, it is astounding to reflect upon the last 15 years of performances, achievements and experiences as a choir since those humble beginnings. I am both delighted and proud to be leading the chorus in its 15th: year and we can’t wait to present this wildly eclectic and vibrant programme of songs”
Aligned with their inclusive values, they have recently started supporting the Cardiff branch of the Choir With No Name, in partnership with The Wallich, whose mission is to empower as many homeless and marginalised people as possible to showcase their talents, build personal resilience and positive, joyful singing communities. They aim to raise as much money as possible for them over the next year and will be holding a retiring collection at the end of the concert and hope that concert goers will give generously. It also happens to be the Choir With No Name’s 15th anniversary year so no doubt they’ll be celebrating with a song at the concert too.
2022 was a busy year for South Wales Gay men’s Chorus. It was great for them to be able to get back out there doing what they do best. Highlights included their first ‘post-pandemic’ concert, ‘Together Again’ where they not only took to the stage with each other for the first time in over 2 years, but also to be joined by two of South Wales other premier LGBTQ choirs – The Songbirds and the Cardiff Trans Singers.
The chorus also took to the main stage at Pride Cymru as well as a number of other local pride events. After the excitement of the summer they were also invited to sing at the World Aids Day event in the National Museum of Wales and took to many venues around Cardiff with their festive repertoire.
Later this summer the choir will be heading off to Bologna in Italy for the Various Voices International LGBTQ+ Choir Festival. The festival only takes place every 4 years, so for many in the choir this will be their first opportunity to perform with the choir abroad.
THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE TRULY OUTRAGEOUS! gets to St Andrews Church on Penylan Road in Cardiff, on Saturday 20th May at 7.30pm. Tickets have been selling well, so we recommend you get yours while you can. They are available for just £15 HERE.
If you’re interested in joining the chorus, they are always happy to welcome new members. They are a non-auditioning choir so if you fancy giving them a try, contact them through social media or Email GayChorus@gmail.com
