in the arts
from July 2008

West Yorkshire's lgb choir, the aptly-named Gay Abandon, are celebrating their 10 year anniversary this year. The choir has come a long way since the early days of a few people meeting to sing in the room above Blayds Bar. Now the choir boasts over 70 members and is one of the country's foremost lesbian and gay choirs. They've entertained audiences across Yorkshire in a variety of venues, taking their music (and inimitable style) into local prisons, community centres, universities and concert halls. They've joined other choirs across the country in London, Birmingham and Manchester and have even travelled to the continent, singing in Berlin and Paris.

Music Director and founder of the choir Jane Edwardson had no idea they'd achieve so much when she first thought of creating a gay choir in Leeds: ‘I wanted to sing in a lgb choir and there wasn't one in Yorkshire, so I chatted to a few friends and we decided to set one up! I was really excited but very nervous that it wouldn't work out, now I feel really proud not only of our musical achievements but also of how much we've grown as a community and how much the choir has come to mean to its members and audience.'

‘As I'm a bit shy,' says one choir member, ‘I find it hard to face the “scene” which is full of couples and pretty young things. I live and work around a lot of people who hold very traditional views, so the time I'm at choir is the only time when I feel that I'm not alone.'

Another singer, who has been with the choir since the first rehearsal, says: ‘What I like about GA is the coming together to sing. We are a diverse group of people brought together by a shared identity and a common interest - to sing, to celebrate our sexuality and to entertain and safely challenge a wide audience.’

Reflecting on what the choir means to him one of the newer members says: ‘At choir I can be me, someone who is one of us for once, instead of being one of them. That has been such a positive and affirming experience. I can't thank the choir enough for that!'

‘That’s the key for most of us in Gay Abandon,’ says Edwardson. ‘Enjoying making a great sound, and putting on a fabulous show! The concert will be no exception. It’s the most ambitious we’ve ever tried to stage. It’s great to revive some of the old songs that we know are audience favourites - and some of the old routines too. It’s a real celebration.’

Just before going to press, Shout! was informed that tickets for the concert had sold out.