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AMSTERDAM GAY MEN'S CHORUS AMSTERDAM THE NETHERLANDS Type: TTBB Founded: 2015 # Wonderful Supporting members 17 # Wonderful members 74 ABOUT Bringing together more than 80 singers and dancers, the Amsterdam Gay Men’s Chorus is the largest gay men’s chorus in the Netherlands. ​We pride ourselves on being an accepting, open-minded, and supportive group, and we strive to be a safe, welcoming place for gay men who love to sing and dance. The chorus performs several times throughout the year and our repertoire is fun and fresh, ranging from pop and musical theatre to jazz, classical, and traditional melodies. mostly rock/pop/musicals, some classical WEBSITE INSTAGRAM TWITTER FACEBOOK 2022 Manage your Choir information ​ Now you can change, add or remove the information about your choir Want to change your profile picture? ​Change the description of your choir? Your contact information? A new link to a Facebook page, Twitter or Instagram account? ​ Click here to submit your changes SUBMIT CHANGES

Download our 2023 /24's Annual Board Report Report 2023/24 READ ON ISSUU Download our 202 2 /23's Annual Board Report Report 2022/23 READ ON ISSUU Download our 2021/22's Annual Board Report Report 2021/22 READ ON ISSUU Download our 2020/21's Annual Board Report Report 2020/21 READ ON ISSUU Download our 2019/20's Annual Board Report Report 2019/20 READ ON ISSUU

SONGBIRDS CHOIR CARDIFF UNITED KINGDOM Founded: 2012 Type: SSAA # Wonderful Supporting members 0 # Wonderful members 27 ABOUT Hello! We are Cardiff’s Songbirds, a non-auditioning community choir for LGBTQ+ women, trans, and non-binary people. Since we were founded in 2012 we have proudly fostered a culture of inclusivity, creating a supportive and welcoming space where members can find friendship, joy, and create a harmonious sound. We rehearse once a week in Cardiff and perform all over the local area when we can, often for local charities, representing the LGBTQ+ community and, importantly, enjoying ourselves in the process. The ethos of the choir is acceptance and fun; we are a community and a family, and we place more importance on inclusivity than being note-perfect (although, thanks to our Musical Director Lizzie, we do make a beautiful sound)! We put on our own concerts once or twice a year and often perform at Pride events across South Wales. We’ve sung at events held by Stonewall, Cardiff University and Ty Hafan, as well as weddings, carol services, and joint events with our friends South Wales Gay Men’s Chorus and Cardiff Trans Singers. The three groups co-hosted the Hand in Hand Festival in Cardiff in August 2019. We are always delighted to welcome new members to our choir. equally mixed classic/rock/pop/musicals WEBSITE INSTAGRAM TWITTER FACEBOOK 2024 Manage your Choir information ​ Now you can change, add or remove the information about your choir Want to change your profile picture? ​Change the description of your choir? Your contact information? A new link to a Facebook page, Twitter or Instagram account? ​ Click here to submit your changes SUBMIT CHANGES

REGISTER What are we looking for? We need volunteers to join Team Legato so we can continue to expand and deliver the best service possible to our members. ​ We are looking for volunteers who can support us with: Fundraising (especially applying for European funds) Supporting Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Communications ​ Hi there! We're so glad you're interested in joining TEAM LEGATO , the European Association of LGBTQ+ Choirs. We are a network of over 100 choirs from 25 countries that celebrate diversity and inclusion through music. ​ We advocate for the rights and visibility of LGBTQ+ people in Europe and beyond. If you love singing and want to be part of a vibrant and supportive community, you've come to the right place! ​ We organize events, festivals, workshops, and exchanges for our members and allies. Whether you're a seasoned singer or a beginner, you'll find a welcoming and supportive community here. You'll also get to enjoy the benefits of being part of a larger organization, such as access to resources, and opportunities. To join us, all you need to do is fill out this online form. You can also follow us on social media and subscribe to our newsletter to stay updated on our activities. We can't wait to hear your voice! ​ Join the gang & share your expertise. ​ We’re looking for: Knowledge of LGBTQ+ issues and the choral community. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills. Strong organizational and project management skills. Ability to work independently and as part of a team. Pl ease note: All details, registration, or any other specific information will need to be added according to our event management preferences and platform. ​ ​ REGISTER

SAVE THE DATE Brussels Rendezvous 14th to 16th June 2024 ​ Team Brussels invites you all to save the date to come to “Rendezvous Brussels’’ to have a look at Brussels and experience the venues for the 2026 Various Voices Festival. Invitation and registration will be sent out later in the year.

LEGATO Leaders College Brussels Rendezvous Timetable DOWLOAD HERE Brussels 2024 Leadership College and Various Voices Rendezvous ​ ​ Your Timetable ​ Thursday 13 June 2024 ​ Afternoon Arrive in Brussels Evening College Registration / Socialise and meet for dinner at own cost 19:00 - 22:30 Rainbow House, Rue du Marché au Charbon, 42 1000 Friday 14 June 2024 ​ Day Meet & Greet, College sessions, Mix n share 09:00 - 17:15 Grands Carmes Street 20 - 22, 1000 Brussels ​ Evening Rendezvous Registration. Socialise and meet for dinner at own cost 18:30 - 22:30 Rainbow House, Rue du Marché au Charbon, 42 1000 ​ ​ Saturday 15 June 2024 ​ Day Venue Visits 10:00 - 12:30 Lunch - Various Voices Brussels 12:30 - 14:30 Rainbow House, Rue du Marché au Charbon, 42 1000 Queer Walking Tour with Marian in English 15:00 - 16:30 Evening Dinner at your leisure with friends Various Voices Rising - Three Choirs concert 20:00 - 22:00 Sing Out Brussels! (Brussels) DynamiQ Voices (Utrecht) Voces Gaudii (Warsaw) Centre culturel d’Uccle, Rue Rouge 47, 1180, Uccle BUY TICKETS : https://www.billetweb.fr/various-voices-rising ​ After-Concert Party! Sunday 16 June 2024 Day Brunch with open “question time” 12:00 - 14:30 Leadership College Graduate Awards Farewells 14:30 ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Hotel Options ​ If you are looking to share be sure to ask on the registration form or revisit using the registration link to edit your answers. Visit Brussels has provided options at four hotels for you to consider at preferential rates including breakfast, cancellable, and secured with a credit card. You can add your arrival and departure dates and search. Choose your hotel, room type, number of occupants, and credit card to secure your room. ​ The Alma Grand Place Hotel and sister hotel Aris Grand Place Hotel are closest to the Leadership College venue Grands Carmes and Rainbow House. ​ The Legato Team will be staying at the Alma Grand Place Hotel, where there is seating to meet and chat in the reception. ​ Pillows City Hotel Brussels and 9Hotel Central Brussels may be more convenient for Centre for Fine Arts "Bozar". ​ Book Hotel here: https://secure.hotel.visitbrussels.be/event/various-voices/congress/search ​ Plan your stay: https://various-voices.be/stay/ ​ Queer Brussels: https://www.visit.brussels/en/visitors/what-to-do/lgbtqia ​ ​ ​ The Leadership College Sessions ​ The session leaders bring knowledge and experience to share with you and offer 3 educational strands. You can change strands in between sessions. Each session lasts two hours so you can choose three sessions during the day. It's all about the music - for musicians, music makers, choir music directors, and music committee people. Choral conducting for beginnersv How do our values affect our work as MDs? The intelligent choir Get Organised - for choir managers, directors, and management committee/team members of choirs to grow and expand knowledge Do you know who you are, what you want, and how you are going to get there - no really? Helping your choir's audience and membership to thrive Finding the sweet spot between your choir and your community Let’s Talk Choirs - will be an interactive session with an open agenda. This may suit younger choirs or choirs facing growth, to talk about obstacles to change and how to find strategies for problem-solving organisations and people challenges. Health checkup for choirs Singing the rainbow: equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging in choirs Make a dream come true We will meet up on Thursday evening to say hello and eat . During the breaks and at the final session we will share about our learning, the effectiveness of the sessions, and how LEGATO can better serve our community and help to shape the scope of future leadership colleges. ​ LEGATO is committed to its Singing for Equality vision and this first leadership college is a step towards achieving our goal. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Leadership College registration is for a minimum donation of €50 per person* Rendezvous Brussels is free for all registered LEGATO Members. ​ *Includes : 3 facilitated focused 2-hour sessions plus 1-day refreshments and the opportunities to learn, meet, and share with choir leaders from across Europe ​ Does not include : Travel, Accommodation, Food, Concert, or Tour. ​ Bursaries : apply during registration. (Bursary Applications have now closed) ​ Help is available in line with the LEGATO policy on support for member choirs and will depend on where your choir is located. A bursary is restricted to two registrations per choir, to be one Music Director and one President/Chair or equivalent for each choir. ​ The closing date for bursary applications is 1st May 2024. Applications will be dealt with on a first-come, first served basis, and you will be notified quickly of the outcome and if your plans change please let us know before the 1st of June 2024 as non-attending bursary recipients may be invoiced for the bursary costs. Group 3 Qualifying Countries (Turkey, Montenegro, Russia, Romania, Kazakhstan, Belarus, Georgia, Serbia, Albania, Bulgaria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Ukraine, North Macedonia, Moldova, Armenia, Azerbaijan) Group 3 Bursary will cover : Leadership College registration at €50 One night sharing a hotel room with breakfast €150 ​ Group 2 Qualifying Countries (Estonia, Czech Republic, Greece, Poland, Lithuania, Portugal, Latvia, Andorra, Croatia, San Marino, Slovakia, Hungary) Group 2 Bursary will cover : Leadership College registration at €50 ​ Plan your stay: https://various-voices.be/stay/ ​ Queer Brussels: https://www.visit.brussels/en/visitors/what-to-do/lgbtqia ​ Your Leadership College Prospectus Session Leaders José Mena Polo Master in Music with a specialization in Orchestral Conducting, graduated from Simón Bolívar University in Caracas, Venezuela with a Bachelor’s degree in music with a focus on Choral Conducting, Composition, and Singing. He has completed specialization courses in Choral Conducting, as well as workshops on Gregorian Chant, Contemporary Choral Composition, Popular Orchestration, 20th-century Music, and the Interpretation of German Romantic, Renaissance Music, and Slovak Music. ​ José has delivered workshops on composition, arrangement, conducting, and interpretation at various festivals and gatherings. He serves as the Musical Director of ConSonante Choir, Donne en Música, Choir of the Sociedad Coral de Madrid, and CHOIR+ Madrid, as well as the Chamber Female Choir “Noialtre”. He is the Principal of the Madrid Choral School. ​ Misza Czerniak Is a human rights advocate, translator, and musician born in Moscow, Russia, and living in Warsaw, Poland, since 2011. He holds MSc and MA, being professionally trained in linguistics, IT and choral conducting. His thesis at the Poznan Academy of Music was focused on the experience of singers transgressing traditional gender boundaries in choral settings. Misza has been involved in various levels of project management and international cooperation facilitation, particularly in the area of human rights. In 2014, he founded Voces Gaudii, the first LGBT+friends choir in Poland. Misza is a former LEGATO Board member. ​ Helga Margrét Marzellíusardóttir (she/her) Helga Margrét Marzellíusardóttir is the musical director of Hinsegin kórinn in Reykjavík, Iceland. She has a dual bachelor's degree in singing and choir conducting from the Iceland University of the Arts and a master's degree in innovative rhythmical choir leading from the Royal Academy of Music in Denmark. Helga Margrét is a prolific composer and arranger for choirs and musicians across all skill levels and styles. She leads courses and workshops in, for example, methods and techniques behind vocal compositions and arrangements, choir conducting techniques, vocal painting and creative composition, and leading groups and conductors in music and lyric creation. She is frequently brought in as a guest conductor for choirs both in Iceland and abroad, on rhythm, groove, intonation, sound, interpretation, and stage presence. Recently, Helga Margrét received a grant from the Icelandic government to record her newly composed choral music. The release of this is due this coming fall. For more information, visit her website, www.helgamarz.com . ​ Dr. Hsien Chew MBE (he/they) Has been a member of the Pink Singers, London’s LGBT+ community choir, since 2002, founded and sings with the queer a capella group Barberfellas and is the founder and coordinator of Proud Voices LGBT choir networks, two regional queer choral networks based in the UK & Ireland and Asia. Born in Singapore, he came to the U.K. for tertiary studies and graduated from Oxford University with degrees in immunology and medicine. His true loves, however, are singing and traveling, and he is forever grateful for the realisation that putting together queer choral festivals in different parts of the globe scratches both itches. When he is not working on his “choir-self” you can often find him relaxing with his “wine-self”. Hsien is a Legato Board Member and, until this year, was the representative for the Asia region on the Global Alliance of Queer Choirs. ​ Simon White (he/they) Is a queer, proud singer who has over twenty years of experience managing and developing queer choirs and theatre groups across Europe. Most recently he co-chaired The Pink Singers. For more than thirty years he has campaigned and promoted queer rights, life and history, including co-founding the Queer Theory Forum at the University of Oxford. ​ Dan Jarvis (he/him) Has worked in marketing and audience roles for Arts & Culture organisations for 15 years (including theatres, museums, galleries, arts centres, and of course, choirs) and is currently North West Audiences & Engagement lead for Arts Council England (England's national arts funding body). A member of The Sunday Boys in Manchester, Dan is passionate about inclusivity and equity in the arts and its audiences. ​ Martin Brophy MBE (he/him) President of Legato, former Board member & President of Gala Choruses, Executive Chair of the London Gay Men’s Chorus and Fruitvox, as well founder of the European Queer Choir, founding partner in Integra Planner & Brophies, an events catering company. Martin has over 35 years of comprehensive experience in the international queer choral movement and is enthusiastic and knowledgeable about music festivals, big and small. He was a founding director of the Global Alliance of Queer Choirs and is a passionate advocate to help everyone across the globe to connect with their voice and enjoy the physical and mental health benefits of singing in a group or in the shower. ​ The Sessions ​ “It's all about the music” ​ Choral conducting for beginners How do our values affect our work as MDs? Conducting Toolbox ​ Choral conducting for beginners. José Mena Polo The seminar on choral conducting for beginners offers an intensive immersion into the basic principles of choral conducting. This seminar is designed to provide participants with a fundamental understanding of choral conducting and to develop practical skills for leading beginner-level choirs. ​ How do our values affect our work as MDs? Misza Czerniak We, the MDs of queer ensembles, operate at a particular intersection. We are in charge of music, but we also work for social change. Furthermore, we deal with a marginalised community coming together to express its hopes, dreams, and sometimes anger, to support each other and stand with each other in solidarity, but also to just have fun and make beautiful music. How does this background, and how do the values that bring us here, affect our work? Let’s explore together the connection between what we believe in and how we work as MDs. ​ The intelligent choir - innovative ways to conduct your choir. Helga Margrét Marzellíusardóttir Should Choirs be conducted? If yes, then why, when, and how? How can we train our choir to be an Intelligent choir, to develop their musical skills and ability to focus on the structure of the music; Rhythm, intonation, sound, expression, and performance? We take a look at the New Piece Methodology, Rotated Leadership, and Vocal Painting - different ways of combining conducting technique and effective ways of interacting with your choir members. ​ ​ “Get Organised” ​ Do you know who you are, what you want, and how you are going to get there - no really? “There’s a Place For Us”: Growing your choir’s audience and membership so you can thrive Finding the sweet spot between your choir and your community ​ Do you really know who you are? what you want and how you are going to get there - no really? Martin Brophy & Simon White ​ To get where you want to go you need a good roadmap to get there. Is your choir dysfunctional, not sure who they are, confused about what you do? The starting point is your Vision, Mission, and Values. Discuss and create your own 10-point plan to create and review your choir's road map to success. ​ “There’s a Place For Us”: Growing your choir’s audience and membership so you can thrive. Dan Jarvis In this session, LEGATO Trustee Dan Jarvis will talk through how to be strategic in developing a plan to develop and grow your choir's audiences and membership so it can thrive, whilst staying true to who you are. ​ The workshop will cover: Identifying who your target audiences are (and who do you want them to be) Understanding your mission, vision & values to inform your key messages How your programme and audience plan can (and should) work together How to tell the story of your choir Attracting and retaining new members Practical tips and ways to plan a marketing campaign ​ The session is aimed at intermediate and advanced choirs. Finding the sweet spot between your choir and community. Simon White Queer choirs around the world provide an amazing, nourishing, and safe space for all to thrive and grow, as singers, as individuals, and as a chosen family. At the same time, they can have an important and valuable impact on the wider community. This session explores: (i) the role and impact a choir can have on both its members and the community around it; (ii) real life examples of how different queer choirs around the world think and work with these two communities; and (iii) how to promote debate and resolve conflict within your choir as to how your group wants to find the sweet-spot between choir and community. ​ ​ “Let’s Talk Choirs” ​ Health checkup for choirs Singing the rainbow: equity, diversity inclusion and belonging in choirs Make a dream come true Health Check for Choirs - Creating and sharing choir strategies. ​ Singing the Rainbow: equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging in choirs. Hsien Chew In our increasingly polarised world, there is an urgent need for LGBTQ choirs to discuss diversity. We have a long tradition of counteracting division by building communities, questioning barriers, and celebrating difference through song, but having our choirs reflect the makeup of society remains a challenge for all of us. Drawing on their own experience of migration and queerness, Hsien will take you on a journey of empathy to understand why embedding diversity in our choirs is vital for all of us, look at why we sometimes struggle to achieve this and examine various strategies some choirs have taken to be the change. Make your dreams come true. Martin Brophy How to get a choir started; make a festival; Singing for equality or Connecting with choirs around the globe. "If you build it, they will come." "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has." “The two quotes that have inspired me the most, come and share what inspires you”. Let's talk about what inspires you and begin that journey together, to surprise yourself, to inspire others and make your dreams come true - and that begins with a strong vision. DOWNLOAD HERE LEGATO Leaders College Brussels Rendezvous Timetable

Dominik K. Jakob My name is Dominik K. Jakob, I am 51 years old, German national and live in Düsseldorf, Germany. I have been singing with Vielhomonie Rhein-Ruhr for 27 years. In my daytime job, I work in the Treasury Department of a multinational corporation. In my free time, I love to cook & entertain, ski, ride my bike, travel and enjoy the sunshine. I was part of the group which designed LEGATO during 1996-1999 and created the organization in 1999 in Vienna. I used to be the auditor, have been continuously responsible for the financials of LEGATO since 2005, and have been a member of the board since 2009. For the future I would like to continue diligently taking care of the financials of LEGATO and related needs, to help LEGATO grow as an organization and be there to support our member choirs. Martin Brophy I am asking for your support to re-elect me to the Board of LEGATO. I sing with the London Gay Men's Chorus for 22 years and am a former Chair. I also sing with the European Queer Choir which I founded. I have been involved with LEGATO since early 2005, leading initiatives to encourage choirs to bid for Various Voices Festivals. I have served on the Board of LEGATO since Jan, 2019 and have taken an active and assertive role. From 2010 until 2017 I served as Board member and became the President of Gala Choruses. I also work with the Global Alliance of LGBTQI+ Choirs Associations. I was a founding Director of SingOut UK and Ireland, was Festival Director for Various Voices London and am Executive Chair of Fruitvox, involved with the Culture Olympiad culture Festival. I have worked with London Pride Arts, Europride along with many other groups. I ran my own events catering company for 30 years and today work as an Organisational Consultant for charities and non-profits and am a working Director of Integra Planner, the powerful organisational system for event planners, choir festivals and events, conferences and organisations. I was awarded an MBE for services to music and LGBT community by HM the Queen in 2013. I live in Islington and Brighton with my husband Raphael. I want LEGATO to be a force for change by actively supporting our member choirs, though leadership training, advocacy work for equal rights for all and building strong allies. To continue improve our diversity, representation and transparency in our activities, accountable and relevant to our stakeholders. Please allow me to continue to serve you and carry on doing work that I love. Juancho Almenara Robles Hi, my name is Juancho, short for Juan Francisco, I was born August 1970 in Caracas, Venezuela, from Spaniard parents, I've moved to Madrid, Spain in 2000. Professionally I started as a lawyer but changed 20 years ago to become a graphic designer. I'm the one responsible for the new LEGATO image, videos, website and for keeping in order and update all our social networks. I've founded VOCES LGTB de Madrid , Voces por la Tolerancia , and Coro Simón Bolívar de Madrid , I'm also the president of the last two choirs. ​ I've been involved with LEGATO since 2018, after the participation of my choir in the Various Voices 2018 in Munich. I have served on the Board of LEGATO since Jan 2019 promoting the necessary changes in our visual image and social network structure. ​ I get along well with others and thrive on finding resolutions to problems. I am confident that these qualities together with my commitment to work are an asset to LEGATO. A tea lover, especially the gongfu cha ceremony, vinyl toy collector, a true shinnichi (親日) or Japanophile I'm always in the search for the perfect ramen 🍜. If you want to get in touch DM on Instagram @atomic70 Petra Pechaček My name is Petra Pechaček, b. 1968, I am a Historian and work as a curator of cultural monuments. My wife and I live in a small community in the wine country close to Karlsruhe, South-West-Germany. ​ Since 2002 I am a member (second soprano) of Karlsruhe’s lesbian choir "Die WEIBrations" . I have been serving on its steering committee for 16 years till January 2020. During my time on the committee, I especially loved to organize the choir‘s participation in several events/concerts/performances (biannual Southern German Gay and Lesbian-Choir-Festivals; Various Voices London, Dublin, and Munich; 300th anniversary of the city of Karlsruhe; German TV-Show; concerts i.e. in Berlin, Cologne, Munich, and Karlsruhe). I took very much pleasure in managing a joint performance with the Deep C Divas, Leeds, in Karlsruhe 2018. Besides this, I have been co-creating and co-writing several shows and a couple of song texts for Die WEIBrations. ​ One of my personal highlights was being part of the steering committee of "KREISCH“, the recent Gay and Lesbian-Choir-Festival in Karlsruhe 2019, with 400 participants of 17 choirs of South-Germany and Switzerland. My main roles were the accreditation of the participating choirs, management, and realization of the evening concerts. I love traveling, meeting with, and cooking for friends, music, movies, and museums. ​ I am offering to serve on the board of LEGATO for at least 2 years and can contribute: interest to support the work and recognization of LGBTQ+ Choirs 16 years experience on a steering committee (Die WEIBrations – Lesbenchor Karlsruhe e.V. ), thereof 2 years acting as treasurer 18 years of hands-on experience in organizing events, festivals, conferences in the cultural sector organizational skills (in my "former life" I have been trained as a Hotel Clerk / Hotelfachfrau) ability to effectively work in a team and keeping deadlines a friendly, diplomatic and reliable personality good humour 😊 I would be interested in: assisting with the Administration of the member choirs and management of the database i.e. creating a survey and contacting all member choirs to ask about their aims and what they expect from LEGATO, so that LEGATO can even better serve the choirs working in the field of Development, creating and supporting new projects for LEGATO and its members choirs, probably workshops for musical directors, treasurers, public, meetings besides the annual meeting and Various Voices creating partnerships between choirs to help with networking assisting the Secretary (taking minutes, preparing documents, etc.) representing LEGATO on meetings/activities of member choirs assisting the Various Voices teams of Legato and the hosting choir(s) ​ Martin Kaufman My name is Martin Kaufman. I am a gay man, a UK citizen born and living in London of Ashkenazi Jewish and Gaelic Irish heritage. I have been involved in the London Gay Men’s Chorus since 1998, starting out as a Second Tenor, descending into the Baritones, and ending up in the Basses. There is nowhere else for me to go now. In my time in the LGMC , I have been Vice-Chair, Chair of the Fundraising Committee, a frequent cabaret performer, and a concert soloist on a number of occasions. ​ I have traveled the world with the LGMC – around the UK and Ireland to the USA and Canada, to France, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, and the Czech Republic, and all the way to Australia. I can genuinely say that the LGMC – and the choral community of which we are a part – has changed my life, including the privilege of meeting my 20-year-strong life partner, who also sings with the Chorus. ​ I have been a professional fundraiser for 30 years, including working for European clients and training and presenting at conferences in Ireland, Sweden, Finland, Germany, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Belgium, France, Montenegro, and Russia. I work as a fundraising consultant, mainly for educational and cultural non-profit organisations to help them realise their ambitions. One of my current clients is a major British choral organisation who are looking towards their post-COVID future. ​ I also am active as a volunteer in the fundraising world. I co-founded the Chartered Institute of Fundraising’s Cultural Sector Network, which has held the largest cultural fundraising conferences in Europe over the past few years. I now Chair the Steering Committee of the IoF RAISE Arts, Culture, Heritage programme which is helping drive connections between cultural fundraisers throughout England. ​ Outside my professional and singing life, I am an obsessive Londoner (undertaking the only singing guided tours of London), love visiting museum and gallery exhibitions, reading history, seeing operas and musical theatre, eating good food so long as I don’t have to cook, and delving ever deeper into my family history, especially through DNA research. ​ My Personal Manifesto ​ My primary focus would be in Fundraising : As someone with 30 years’ experience in professional fundraising, I would aim to bring my expertise and creativity to the challenge of securing additional funding and partnerships. Although I have limited knowledge of European Union-related fundraising, I have considerable experience and networks inside European fundraising and could bring a fresh private-sector perspective to any existing or potential public-sector funding approaches. I would also aim to widen the understanding of fundraising within Legato as a whole, for example through providing training sessions to Members’ leadership groups in planning and making approaches to potential funders, donors, and sponsors. A secondary focus would be in Broadening Reach : Ever since I first visited GALA in San Jose in 2000, I have been interested in broadening the reach of the LGBTQ choral community to regions and demographics that have had little or no contact with our world of singing. I have been to two GALA festivals, three Various Voices festivals, three Proud Voices, and predecessor festivals and have collaborated with other choirs in the UK and abroad with the LGMC. I would like to help Legato look further afield, in particular to Eastern and Southern Europe, and see what we could do to help support or even help kickstart choral activities. ​ Another focus would be on helping Legato connect more effectively to the Member organisations : I feel that links between Legato and my own choir, the London Gay Men’s Chorus, could be made stronger outside the periods up to and following the Various Voices Festivals, and I suspect that is the case with many Member organisations. A strong Legato would be made up of Member organisations with an active understanding of what we could offer their own members and what they could offer back to Legato. I would be interested to see how we could enhance those connections, in order to create a much more sustainable organisation. ​ These three areas are all linked together. Although my time as a Legato volunteer would need to be balanced with my other volunteer and singing commitments, I believe that strategic thinking, good planning, recruitment of additional volunteers and delegating work to them are the ways to succeed in these three areas, each of which can only be delivered as part of a team effort. Martin Gerrits My name is Martin Gerrits, 50 years of age, German and living in Munich. I’ve been singing with the Philhomoniker - Gay Men’s Chorus of Munich as Bariton since 2003 and since 2007 I’m the Chair of the Philhomoniker . I was actively involved in the Munich management team of the last Various Voices Festival 2018 in a central position. It was a great success with 2.700 participants of almost 100 choirs from 21 countries. I was elected to the board of Legato in 2009 and responsible for membership and communication in the three-member board team. I have strongly supported the current developments of Legato and I am very happy that we now have a seven-member board since the change in the statutes last year. This enables Legato to develop new strategies to better serve and support the member choirs. I have the honour to serve in this new team most recently as President and work in the two committees of supervising the Various Voices Festivals as well as memberships. ​ Professionally, I work as an architect in a medium-sized architecture office. And next to my engagement with my choir I like to cycle in my free time. I also like to travel to Spain regularly with my Spanish husband Carlos. Annette Zahl My name is Annette Zahl, 52 years of age, German, and living in in a small City in the north of Munich. ​ After 16 years living in Berlin I came back in 2017 to my hometown Munich and joined Melodiva - Lesbian Choir of Munich as a second Soprano. I’m managing the website and Facebook site for the choir and I am also active in the choreo group. As I joined a VariousVoices Festival for the first time in 2018 I was really thrilled about the well organized and heartwarming festival. As a volunteer, I had the chance to look behind the scenes and so I wished to be part of the team who is organizing this. Fortunately, my wish came true and I was elected to the board of Legato in 2019. ​ I am responsible with Juancho Almenara for graphic design matters, media, and creating the monthly newsletter. I was glad to be elected, as it was not planned at all. I appreciate being a member of the legato team build of enthusiastic, sympathetic, and professional people. Professionally, I actually work as an IT-Specialist for a publishing agency based in Munich. Before that, I was self-employed and worked as a Grafik-Designer and as a project manager for several IT and publishing projects. ​ Next to my engagement to my choir, I am playing alto saxophone in a Munich brass band and as a contra point, I am playing also the harpsichord with small baroque ensembles. I also like to travel especially to cities by the see. Misza Czerniak* My name is Misza Czerniak*. I am 36 years old. Born in Moscow and living in Warsaw since 2011. Trained as a linguist/programmer (MSc – Moscow 2005) and as a choral conductor (BA – Moscow 2003, MA – Poznan 2016). In 2014, I founded the first Polish choir for LGBTI persons and allies called Voces Gaudii (Latin for Voices of Joy, or Gay Voices), which I am still leading as its MD and board member. I am a gay person with a background of migration, as well as being part of ethnic and religious minorities. But I am also a cis-gender white and (kind of) middle-class male. Navigating the spaces of privilege and discrimination has always been an interesting challenge for me. That’s why since 2012, I’ve been involved in LGBT activism – in Poland, Eastern Europe and globally. My main area of focus has been the intersection of LGBTI rights and religion. Since 2013, I’ve been involved (as a volunteer, then for 5 years as a staff member and now as a board member) with the European Forum of LGBT Christian Groups, participating and leading its advocacy work (including open letters and dialogue attempts with leadership of churches, first-of-its-kind affirmative publications on LGBTI issues and the Orthodox Church, etc.). Over the years, I’ve been dealing with numerous international political institutions, such as the European Commission, Council of Europe, UN OHCHR and special rapporteurs, etc., speaking on the issues of conversion therapy (from personal experience of 13 years of fighting with my homosexuality and being heterosexually married), freedom of religion for LGBTI people, abuse of religious arguments by right-wing forces, etc. My choir, Voces Gaudii, was also founded first and foremost as an activists’ initiative, fighting for human rights in Poland with the language of music. In the 6 years of its existence, the choir has given almost 40 performances, all over Poland and in three cities in Germany, including the Various Voices festival in Munich. Through my activism and personal background, I know very closely the situation of the LGBTI community in Eastern Europe, leading a lot of capacity-building initiatives for the movement: training sessions, summer schools, mentoring programmes, workshops, retreats, etc. I was also privately involved in drawing international attention to the crisis in Chechnya in 2017 (my social media publications on the situation were the very first texts covering it in English and getting hundreds of reposts). Since 2019, I have been working for Ashoka, a large international NGO focusing on social innovations. What I can and want to offer Legato as its board member ‘Eastern’ perspective I would like to continue to bring to the leadership of Legato my perspective of an Eastern European – to constantly keep in mind the differences or even disparities existing in Europe in general and in our LGBTI choral community (both among the current and the potential members from that region). Among these challenges are political, financial, logistical, linguistic and other factors. I also intend to continue being in contact with Eastern European choirs – not just my own, but also other choirs from Poland, Ukraine, Russia, etc. E.g. currently, my choir together with Pink Singers is planning a common project with the choir from St Petersburg called Obochina (Russian for roadside). I also hope to be of help for new choirs joining Legato, especially from the underprivileged contexts. Political involvement Having some experience of political lobbying in Brussels, Strasbourg, Geneva, etc., I would propose furthering the connections between Legato and other political actors – e.g. ILGA-Europe and EC agencies. Since joining the leadership of Legato in 2019, I tried to use several opportunities to raise awareness of the existence and special needs of LGBTI community cultural initiatives. E.g. in September 2019, I took part in the “High-level Conference on Advancing LGBTI equality in the EU: from 2020 and beyond” in Brussels, and contributed not only from my professional side of LGBTI/religion activism but also from under my musical hat, reiterating how important it is to support community-building and -nurturing efforts, especially through culture, in the times of right-wing backlash and shrinking spaces and funding. I believe that this work can and should be furthered, as Legato has repeatedly acknowledged its huge potential as a large European LGBTI network that can and should go beyond its role of convener and facilitator of the movement and start raising its voice in political matters as well (e.g. in such cases as the drastic situation in Poland that could use all possible signs of international solidarity). ​ * I used to go under a different spelling of my first and last name, but for consistency purposes, I have switched to using sz/cz :) But you can still use the old one if you like. ​ ​

PODIUM PARIS PARIS FRANCE Type: TTBB Founded: 2005 # Wonderful Supporting members 3 # Wonderful members 57 ABOUT Created in 2005, Podium Paris brings together since its beginnings between 40 and 60 singers depending on the season. Podium Paris is THE Gay Pop choir of the French capital. Original arrangements created for our choir of 4 male voices Friendliness during and outside rehearsals An annual musical show with: Costumes, sets, makeup Lights Lots of humor and emotions This is the whole spirit of Podium Paris ..... Carried by its voices, the choir offers on multiple occasions, visibility to the LGBTQI + community and fights against all forms of discrimination. More information : http://www.podiumparis.fr http://www.facebook.com/podiumparis http://www.instagram.com/podiumparis https://www.youtube.com/user/podiumparis Want to join us? https://www.podiumparis.fr/contact-newsletter only rock/pop/musicals WEBSITE INSTAGRAM TWITTER FACEBOOK 2008 Manage your Choir information ​ Now you can change, add or remove the information about your choir Want to change your profile picture? ​Change the description of your choir? Your contact information? A new link to a Facebook page, Twitter or Instagram account? ​ Click here to submit your changes SUBMIT CHANGES

MALMÖ REGNBÅGSKÖR MALMÖ SWEDEN Type: TTBB Members: 11 Founded: 2015 ABOUT ​Malmö regnbågskör är en HBT-kör som startade våren 2015. Vi repeterar på tisdagar 18:30-21:00 på Sorgenfriskolan. WEBSITE INSTAGRAM TWITTER FACEBOOK EMAIL If for any reason you don't want to be on our website, give us the name of your choir and your email and click SUBMIT . SUBMIT your choir will be removed shortly, thanks

BARBERFELLAS LONDON UNITED KINGDOM Type: TTBB Founded: 2009 # Wonderful Supporting members 0 # Wonderful members 9 ABOUT The Barberfellas is a small barbershop chorus - with a twist! - based in London, England. ​ The Barberfellas is a small barbershop and acapella chorus based in London, England. All of the Barbies come from the Pink Singers, London's LGBT community choir. While we love being in the Pinkies, now and then we also like to try a little male voice close harmony. If you'd like to hear us perform, keep an eye on on our facebook feed for the next opportunity! mostly rock/pop/musicals, some classical WEBSITE INSTAGRAM TWITTER FACEBOOK 2014 Manage your Choir information ​ Now you can change, add or remove the information about your choir Want to change your profile picture? ​Change the description of your choir? Your contact information? A new link to a Facebook page, Twitter or Instagram account? ​ Click here to submit your changes SUBMIT CHANGES

LES VOIX DES FIERTÉS TOULOUSE FRANCE Type: TTBB Founded: 2018 # Wonderful Supporting members 0 # Wonderful members 5 ABOUT Founded in the spring of 2019, our choir is open to everyone, be they LGBTQ+ or ally, an experienced singer or total beginner. Our focus lies in taking part in events that are linked to the LGBTQ+ community in Toulouse and the surrounding areas, and you’ll sometimes find us singing alongside the other two choirs that make up our organisation Toulouse en Chœurs “Le Chœur Gay de Toulouse” and “Les Petits Ducs”. n/a WEBSITE INSTAGRAM TWITTER FACEBOOK 2022 Manage your Choir information ​ Now you can change, add or remove the information about your choir Want to change your profile picture? ​Change the description of your choir? Your contact information? A new link to a Facebook page, Twitter or Instagram account? ​ Click here to submit your changes SUBMIT CHANGES

SCHWUBS - SCHWULE BERNER SÄNGER BERN SWITZERLAND Type: SATB Founded: 2018 # Wonderful Supporting members 0 # Wonderful members 24 ABOUT 1992 werden die "Schwulen Berner Sänger - Schwubs" gegründet. Seit 1993 sind wir als Verein organisiert. Der Chor wächst bald zu einer Grösse von 43 Sängern an und schrumpft auf aktuell 21 Sänger zusammen. (An der Vermehrung arbeiten wir....!) ​ Unzählige Konzerte haben wir bestritten und grosse und kleine Akzente gesetzt: In Bern, Zürich, Groningen, München, Stuttgart, Frankfurt am Main, Köln, Nürnberg, Berlin, Hamburg, Saarbrücken, Paris und Dublin. ​ ​In 1992 a few enthusiasts started the "Schwulen Berner Sänger" (gay Bern singers) or SCHWUBS. In the following years, SCHWUBS grew to the handsome size of 45 members, but then shrank back to the current 16 singers. Under the direction of our pianist Werner Bucher, SCHWUBS is always lively, (self) ironic, (self) critical, willingly looks in the mirror and also holds it up to others. Or, in other words, we sing not just to entertain, but also to bring our audience closer to our gay world. equally mixed classic/rock/pop/musicals WEBSITE INSTAGRAM TWITTER FACEBOOK 2018 Manage your Choir information ​ Now you can change, add or remove the information about your choir Want to change your profile picture? ​Change the description of your choir? Your contact information? A new link to a Facebook page, Twitter or Instagram account? ​ Click here to submit your changes SUBMIT CHANGES