BUILDING COMMUNITY AT THE LONDON GAY MEN’S CHORUS 2002-2007

My first experience of building community through singing was as Musical Director and conductor of the London Gay Men’s Chorus from 2002-2007. Under my leadership, the chorus grew from 120 to around 220 members. LGMC became the largest gay choir in Europe, on a par with the larger US LGBT choruses.

Along with the increase in size came increases in musical excellence, fundraising need and both community and outreach ambition. LGMC also performed to sell-out audiences in the top international venues in London every year, including the Queen Elizabeth Hall (2002, 2003, 2004, 2006) and Barbican Hall (2004, 2005, 2006). Above is audio of one Charlie’s first pop arrangements for the group, of Kylie Minogue’s ‘Can’t Get You Out Of My Head’, sung live at the Queen Elizabeth Hall, in June 2002.

LGMC regularly worked internationally too, so I had early experience of the potential impact of international work. My first gig was at the Sydney Opera House (2002), and this was followed by the Kennedy Centre, Washington DC (2004), and Settembre Musica, Turin (2006).