MGLC’s MD gets glitzy farewell

For musical director Adrian Schultz, the upcoming Melbourne Gay and Lesbian Chorus (MGLC) and Melbourne Gay and Lesbian Youth Chorus (MGLYC) concert will represent a musical send-off – he’s recently announced his resignation after 23 years of involvement with

both choirs.

“The choir and I are in a really nice space together, and I think that’s a great way to leave an organisation, when everyone’s happy with each other,” Schultz told the Star Observer.

“It’s time to move on, but I’ve made a commitment to the choir to keep conducting while they find
a replacement.”

So the hunt is on for a new MD to fill Schultz’s shoes, with applicants encouraged to make themselves known to the choir. In the meantime, both the MGLC and MGLYC are busy preparing for their July 20 Preston Town Hall combined concert, Out in the Spotlight.

“It’s all songs from the stage and screen: Neighbours, Mission Impossible, The Lion King…a variety of really upbeat stuff. It’s a big show, but with an intimate, cabaret feel,” said Schultz.

Songs from acclaimed stage and screen musicals like Les Miserables, The Little Shop of Horrors and Fame are also on the bill – but one can’t help but wonder how the iconic and oh-so-Aussie Neighbours theme is going to sound being sung en masse.

“Some members of the main chorus and youth chorus are joining together for that, and one of our youth chorus members actually arranged it. Look, it’s a bit cheesy, but it’s lots of fun!”

With cabaret-style seating and food and drink available (no BYO this time around), this performance should take on a more intimate feel than previous MGLC concerts, such as their recent Rainbow Dreaming and Nineties, Noughties & Now shows.

Now 24 years strong, MGLC’s active choir membership holds steady at around 70 keen singers.

“It’s a really good size. I was in the States last year listening to choirs of 300, and I don’t know how effective that is – you don’t really know if you’re making a difference,” said Schultz.

“The community aspect is also very important. We’re a group of people who strive for musical excellence, but it’s also about a feeling of community and an outreach into the gay community and beyond.”

For Schultz, one of the biggest challenges during his time as musical director has been taking charge of a group of people who share a passion for singing, but all have varying degrees of skill and experience.

“I have people who have sung all their lives, and then I have people who’ve never sung before. For those ‘choir virgins’, we know the first concert is really important to them, so we make sure it’s a really positive, supportive experience,” he said.

 

Info: Out in the Spotlight, 3pm & 8pm July 20, Preston Town Hall. mglc.org.au/tickets