Legacy Awards

By  GALA Expert 

 May 29, 2023 

  

GALA honors individuals who have served the LGBTQ choral movement.


A stylized line drawing of a bird made from a treble clef, and staff paper

 

Nominations for 2024 Awards

The Legacy Awards were started in 1996 at Festival V in Tampa. Reach out to Robin Godfrey at executivedirector@galachoruses.org with an questions. Awardees will be announced at Festival 2024 Minneapolis.

Nominations are now being accepted for the 2024 Legacy Awards in all three categories. To nominate someone for a GALA Legacy Award fill out the online form here:

Nominations are due no later than March 31, 2024.
A separate form should be used for each nomination. The form asks for a 200 word (no longer) description of the nominee’s qualifications for the designated award.


Past Winners

Past Legacy Award winners have included Ruth Rowan, Gary Miller, Holly Near, Dennis Coleman, Cathy Roma, Eve Campbell, Sue Coffee, Willie Zwozdesky, Tim Seelig, Jane Ramseyer Miller, Maria Elena Grant, Kevin Gallagher, Stan Hill, Ken Cole, Joel Davis, Joann Usher, Reid Vanderburgh and Kathie Michael


Award Descriptions

Lifetime Achievement Award

The Lifetime Achievement Award honors the individual whose body of work has significantly impacted the global community around LGBT choral movement issues. The Lifetime Achievement Award recipient has contributed to exceptional progress in how LGBT people are viewed and represented in society, is a notable leader, and is widely recognized as a person of passion, vision, courage, and perseverance. Through 20 or more years of leadership the recipient has brought diverse groups of people together to enhance quality of life and the greater good.

Heritage Award

The Heritage Award honors the individual who demonstrates exceptional commitment to the mission and vision of GALA Choruses, Inc. The Heritage Award recipient has had a meaningful impact on the direction and future of GALA Choruses, Inc., is a notable leader, and recognized by peers and colleagues as a person of strong moral character, generosity, dignity and vision. The Heritage Award recipient has been directly involved with the organization in one or more of the following areas:

  • Member of the GALA Choruses, Inc Board of Directors
  • Current or Past Employee
  • Active Membership on Board Committee(s)
  • Artistic direction or contribution to a GALA Choruses, Inc event
  • Planning or Implementation of Festival, Symposium, and/or other events
  • Service to member choruses on behalf of GALA Choruses, Inc

Distinguished Service Award

The Distinguished Service Award honors the individual whose service to GALA Choruses, Inc., or multiple member choruses is above and beyond the call of duty. The recipient has been instrumental in moving the gay and lesbian choral movement forward either regionally or nationally, is tireless in their dedication, and is known by peers to provide exemplary service. The Distinguished Service Award recipient may have been involved in such areas as:

  • Long-term Volunteerism
  • Involvement With Several Regional Choruses
  • Commissioning or Arranging
  • Board Service