Gay choir helping youngsters find a voice

By Marc Shoffman • November 14, 2006 - 0:00

The London Gay Men's Chorus, the UK's largest gay choir, is to launch a youth choir

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The London Gay Men's Chorus, the UK's largest gay choir, is to launch a youth choir, aimed at 16-21 year olds.

Following a successful pilot project last year, the first workshop for those interested in joining the choir, to be known as 'Sing It!' will take place this weekend.

'Sing It!' will be a separate entity to The London Gay Men's Chorus, funded through a number of donations and grants. 'Sing It!' will be making their first public appearance, alongside The London Gay Men's Chorus, on the stage of The Barbican Hall on 20th December.

Martin Newman from The London Gay Men's Chorus said: "We'll give you all the help and encouragement you need to bring out your inner 'star' in a safe space where you can be yourself.

"We're looking for young people who are committed to finding their voice, building their confidence and bringing out their sense of fun. The London Gay Men's Chorus works to promote the importance of friendship and equality, the joy of singing and breaking boundaries through music and performance. We hope 'Sing It!' will do the same."

The ultimate aim is to make a music video and a performance on the stage of The Barbican Hall in London before Christmas.

The workshop will be the first of a series taking in vocal work, movement and choreography and confidence building, with an emphasis on creating a fun and supportive environment.

'Sing It!' is primarily aimed at lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender young people, but will be open to anyone within the 16-21 age range interested in coming along, regardless of their sexuality.

The workshops will be lead by Gitika Partington, a songwriter and ex-session singer who has sung and led workshops in venues from Holloway Prison to the Royal Albert Hall.

Gitika already runs two community choirs in London and one in Suffolk, and describes herself as 'a self-confessed harmony junkie' who says that 'moving and grooving is going to be almost compulsory!" She will be supported by members of The London Gay Men's Chorus music team.

The workshop on the 18th November (plus two subsequent Saturdays) will be held at The Community Centre, opposite St George's Church, Crayford Road, Tufnell Park N7, nearest tube Tufnell Park.

The day is free and will run from 10.30 to 3.30 with a break for lunch.

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