ABOUT THE STONEWALL CHORALE

THE EARLY YEARS

The nation's first gay and lesbian chorus

The Stonewall Chorale originated in December 1977 as the Gotham Male Chorus, and specialized in Gregorian Chant and Renaissance music. In 1979, women joined the chorus for the first time, and the name was changed to Stonewall Chorale, the nation’s first Lesbian and Gay chorus.

In 1983 at Lincoln Center, the Chorale opened the first national festival organized and sponsored by GALA (the Gay and Lesbian Association of Choruses), now an international organization with more than 150 member choruses.

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The Stonewall Chorale is among the various LGBTQ interest groups that emerged in major cities and proved crucial to creating  support networks during the AIDS crisis. Stonewall has performed in public, community, civic, and corporate venues, and remained – for more than four decades – a reminder of the power of music to foster community. 

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In celebration of its 40th season in 2017, the Chorale commissioned a new composition for choir and instrumental ensemble from esteemed choral composer James Bassi. This commission presented us with a unique opportunity to give the international choral community a new major secular work that reflects the vision and values of not only the composer, but the choir for whom it was commissioned.