Time to lend your voice

Are you a closet shower singer – or do you do car karaoke on the way to work?

However you enjoy your singing, you’ll find your comfort zone with the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Choir (SGLC). Its repertoire is as broad as its singers are diverse, covering everything from pop to classical with a smattering of modern Australian music, opera … even carols at Christmas.

If you’ve ever thought about joining a choir, now is a great time. This year will see the choir recording its next CD, which will include as many sensual, sexual, soulful or schmaltzy songs as can fit.

“We’ve got several community performances planned, we’ll be indulging in a road trip, and will stage at least one concert,” spokeswoman Deirdre Mason said.

“Mid-year will also see us rehearsing for our unique Mardi Gras performance for 2009 – the campest version ever of Henry Purcell’s chamber opera, The Fairy Queen.”

Mason said singing wasn’t the choir’s only activity.

“Our musical endeavours are equally mixed with social events. In 2008 choir members and friends can attend a Valentine’s Day Special rehearsal or a civilised summer soirée, test their brains at trivia, sing for each other at our members’ recital, frock up for SGLC’s annual awards night, or clean out their garages for December’s gayrage sale,” she said.

Anyone can join the choir. The non-threatening environment provides endless support, help and encouragement so that everyone who wants to sing actually can.

Now is the time to suss out the SGLC; there are weekly rehearsals on Thursday nights at Heffron Hall, corner of Palmer and Burton Streets in Darlinghurst, from 7pm.

For more details on rehearsals and joining visit www.sglc.org.