By GALA Expert
February 19, 2025
In order to encourage collaborative sharing of ideas and experiences, GALA Symposium 2025 included a fundraising proposal competition along the lines of the TV show “Shark Tank”. In this competition, small and midsize budget GALA choruses presented proposals that need financial backing. Each group was given a time to propose their concept to a panel, who provided detailed feedback.
In order to encourage collaborative sharing of ideas and experiences, GALA Symposium 2025 included a fundraising proposal competition along the lines of the TV show “Shark Tank”. In this competition, small and midsize budget GALA choruses presented proposals that need financial backing. Each group was given a time to propose their concept to a panel, who provided detailed feedback.
Winning Proposals
Orlando Gay Chorus
35 years ago on Valentine’s Day Joel Strack, David Schuler and 30 founding members celebrated the Orlando Gay Chorus (OGC) becoming a 501c3 organization. What a journey it has been. From the outset of this organization it has known its identity. Gay. Not a men’s chorus, not a gay men’s chorus. Simply Gay. Inclusive of everyone. From 30 singing members, (mostly men, mostly white) to a 175 member mixed chorus that looks like the rainbow we represent. In a time when members of the chorus feel under attack OGC couldn’t be prouder of what this organization stands for. A rainbow, a safe space, a family, a community, an advocate.
As OGC enters its 35th season, the chorus will continue telling its stories. The teacher that has to navigate “don’t say gay and trans” legislation, the immigrant in fear of detainment or deportation, the human that is just discovering who they were meant to be being told they can’t identify that way. This has created a chilling effect. Singers are afraid to come to rehearsal. OGC is fighting fear. One way to combat fear is to provide safety. This is why one of the pillars of OGC’s recently updated strategic plan is focused on this safety. This is what the community of singers and audiences need – a sense of safety. OGC’s proposal of a commissioned piece speaks to this chilling effect and will help overcome this fear and provide a safe space for singers and audiences. Working with a local LGBTQ+ composer, OGC will present this piece at their 2026 spring concert and hopes to bring it as part of a coffee concert at GALA Festival 2028. The overarching themes of overcoming this chilling effect will ensure this song is universal enough to be used by other choruses throughout the world, but will allow for a spoken word portion that allows each chorus to tell their unique stories, lifting up voices of those marginalized and harmed.