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Journal of Queer Choral Studies: the Official Academic Publication of GALA Choruses
This online journal serves as a connection between GALA Choruses and choral music academics and practitioners. There is currently limited literature on the broad world of GALA Choruses and LGBTQIA+ choral issues. Journal of Queer Choral Studies gives researchers and music practitioners the ability to expand their knowledge about LGBTQIA+ community music-making, while offering GALA leadership easier access to important research in our field.

Why “Queer?”
The word “Queer” has a long and complicated history. Sadly, that history involves trauma and pain for many people. At that same time, many also find strength and comfort by reclaiming this word as their own. In many activist and academic spaces, “Queer” has become a word to describe LGBTQIA+ people and communities in an inclusive way, especially as a revolutionary concept for imagining a better world. We choose to call this publication a journal of “Queer Choral Studies,” in honor of that tradition, especially in academic spaces.

INAUGURAL ISSUE COMING JANUARY 2026

Submissions for the Spring 2026 Issue will open in early 2026

Topics of Interest

  • Research in LGBTQ+ Choral Studies and Music Education
  • Practitioner Insights for Choral Conductors and Singers
  • GALA Chorus News

Guidelines

  • For Research Studies: Submit 3000-6500 word article, 500-word abstract, and references as a .docx  to joqcs@galachoruses.org.
  • For Practitioner Articles: Submit 2000-3000 word article, 300-word abstract, and references as a .docx to joqcs@galachoruses.org.
  • For GALA Chorus News: Submit 1000-3000 word article and chorus photo (optional) as a .docx (plus optional image file) to joqcs@galachoruses.org.
  • Submissions will undergo peer-review.

Submission Deadline

  • TBD

Questions? Email Dr. Jessica L. Gallagher-Steuver (she/her), founding editor-in-chief, at joqcs@galachoruses.org.

Editorial Board

  1. Jessica Gallagher-Steuver, she/her – Founding Editor-in-Chief of JOQCS, AD of Windsong Cleveland, Lecturer of Music Education at Case Western Reserve University and Baldwin Wallace Conservatory, Queer Studies in MUED Scholar
  2. John Carrion, he/him – Executive Director of GALA Choruses, head of Big Apple Performing Arts (BAPA) and New York City Gay Men’s Chorus
  3. Miriam Davidson, she/her – GALA board member and Communications Committee Chair, AD of ANNA Crusis
  4. Reese Schmid, she/her – GALA Communications and Membership Director
  5. André de Quadros, he/him – Professor of Music at Boston University, human rights activist, author of multiple works including Empowering Song: Music Education from the Margins and My Body Was Left On the Street – Music Education and Displacement
  6. Reina Dickey, she/her – Assistant Professor of Music at Miami University, AD of MUSE
  7. Donald Callen Freed, he/him – Retired Professor and DCA at Sul Ross State University, part-time at Iowa Western Community College, composer, GALA Chorus member
  8. Kathleen Hansen, she/they – AD of San Diego Women’s Chorus, DMA Candidate at Boston University, GALA Festival Committee Co-Chair
  9. Josh Palkki, he/him – Associate Professor of Music at the Georgia Institute of Technology, co-author of Honoring Trans and Gender-Expansive Students in Music Education, Queer Studies in MUED Scholar
  10. Austin Norrid, he/him – Assistant Professor of Instruction for Choral Music Education at Ohio University, Queer Studies in MUED Scholar
  11. Argerie Vasilakes, she/her – Editor of Organization Development Journal,  developer of award-winning writing/publication process for new authors, GALA Chorus member