Is it time to go back to London yet?
The trip abroad for the board and staff of GALA Choruses was an incredible experience. Not only did we have the pleasure of seeing the sights in one of the most amazing cities in the world, we also enjoyed meeting folks from all over Europe. Many members of Legato Choirs participated in a weekend of fellowship, camaraderie, and collective brainstorming.
Throughout the history of GALA Choruses, various groups within the organization have made touring a significant part of their mission. In the 1980s, the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus conducted a broad tour around parts of the U.S., and from that sparked many new LGBT choruses. Years later the Twin Cities Gay Men’s Chorus toured the southern U.S. and at least one new chorus was formed as a result of that tour. We have the opportunity – and maybe responsibility – to support our brothers and sisters in song all across the world.
There are choruses that have either recently formed or have aspirations of forming in parts of Asia, eastern Europe, South America, and even Africa. We can be catalysts, working with Legato, to support these fledgling organizations, so they can carry out their missions in their own unique way.
What does this mean for you and GALA Choruses? That remains to be seen at this point. We don’t carry an agenda to form choruses around the world that are just like ours in North America. We simply want to be there to support these new organizations, and stand with them as they face organizational, political, and any other form of challenge. This means that we will continue to work with Legato Choirs, as well as other broad-based organizations around the world, so the mission of GALA Choruses can continue to be fulfilled: Empowering LGBT Choruses as we change our world through song.
A lot of work remains to be done on our own continent, but we also feel that through new partnerships we can embark on new and exciting opportunities around the world. Partnerships like the one we’ve formed with Legato Choirs are critical to our success, because they help us to break down language and cultural barriers. We don’t all operate the same, which is an exciting aspect of this partnership. We each bring our own strengths to the collaboration, and each organization’s attributes help us to develop the support the new choruses need. We are thrilled to have had the opportunity to get to know these outstanding individuals in Europe, and we look forward to working with them going forward as we break down barriers all across the globe.
By the way, a key driver in this partnership and the board meeting in London was our very own board member, Martin Brophy. We are so fortunate to have him as part of our organization, and as an advocate for both GALA Choruses and Legato Choirs. Martin was recently invested as a Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire as part of the Queen’s Birthday Honours. What a huge accomplishment. Bravo!
This partnership is very much a work-in-progress, but we’re tremendously optimistic about the potential. We will keep you apprised of plans and welcome your ideas and feedback.
Happy Pride!
- With Legato in London: Part 2 - June 28, 2013
- With Legato in London: Part 1 - May 5, 2013
