Strength in Harmony

The Rainbow Chorus is Brighton and Hove's largest community LGBTQ+ SATB choir.

 

About us

Welcome to the Rainbow Chorus! We are the largest community LGBTQ+ SATB choir in the south-east outside of London. Based in Brighton & Hove we have been celebrating diversity through music since 1997. We welcome people from all sections of our community.

 

We offer an enjoyable, supportive and affirming environment for LGBTQ+ members to sing, develop their community spirit and awareness, and enable individuals to develop their talents, skills and confidence.

 

Through public performance, we enhance the profile of LGBTQ+ people, particularly in Brighton and Hove, and contribute to the quality and range of community events. We believe that singing at events such as World Aids Day and TransPride sends a clear message that we are out and proud and all different. As part of our commitment to the local community, we also support other charities by singing to help them raise funds.

 

Join the Choir

Anyone who identifies as LGBTQ+ is welcome to join us. There are two ways to join the Rainbow Chorus family:

Join Rainbow Chorus

The Rainbow Chorus is a community choir with high standards that rehearses weekly on a Monday evening with additional rehearsals on some weekends. We have New Members Nights twice a year (January and September) with no obligation to join and no audition, although there is an expectation that you can sing in tune.

 

Join RC+

If you have less free time, or want to improve your singing voice in a less formal setting, our monthly RC+ sessions are loads of fun and a safe space where you can learn some great songs by ear, with sheet music and lyrics to aid if needed. 

Choir News

 

Sing out is certainly what the Rainbow Chorus did on Monday evening.

 

A fringe event that was a taster of their June concert, it was also a window into the workings of The Rainbow Chorus, and a chance to feel what it’s like to sing in a choir.

 

What stood out the most throughout the evening was how much fun everyone was having. The chorus members sang out with gusto and with a genuine excitement that was infectious.

 

Aneesa Chaudhry is a dynamic and energetic director, lending confidence and enthusiasm to the choir. It’s no surprise that nearly every section is full and there is a waiting list to join. (Only a few places in the bass section are presently open).

Mojca Monte is a versatile and responsive pianist, and Marco Nardi, the BSL (British Sign Language) interpreter was wonderfully expressive and great to watch. Both of them lent an energy to the evening that never lagged for a moment.

 

In the first half the choir sang Somebody that I used to know, Going up the Yonder, Where are the clowns?, and Something inside so strong, finishing with an interactive piece calledJubilation. Not just a sing along, the audience were invited to choose a section and join the choir! The result was joyful; for both participants and those who chose to simply listen and observe.

 

After the break the choir sang The olive tree, A lovely native Mauri song I’d not heard before, a rousing version of Hava Nagila (in Hebrew!), Time to say goodbye, (in Italian!), finishing with the tongue twisting Rhythm of Life.

 

The whole evening was relaxed and informal, and without the perfection or expectation required of a formal concert they created a novel experience. Yet the songs still had a polish that hinted at the superb music planned for their summer concert Songs Without Borders, planned for June 25 at St. George’s Church. I have no doubt it will sell out quickly, so I would get your tickets early!

 

Review by Michael Hydes on Gscene

Support the Choir

There are many ways to support the Rainbow Chorus:

Volunteer

Donate

Sponsor Us

Help Us

Find us on Social Media

You can find Rainbow Chorus on most social media platforms. Please follow us, show your support and keep up to date on the latest Rainbow Chorus news!

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You can find videos of past performances on our Youtube channel.