Bernadette Manning RIP
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- Last Updated on Tuesday, 29 May 2018 19:04
- Written by Martin Gerrits
It is with great sadness that we share the news that on Saturday 26th May, Bernadette Manning passed away in Dublin from breast cancer.
Bernadette was a founder director of the Sing Out Association of UK and Irish Choirs in 2000 which was the foundation stone of the development of the UK and Ireland Choirs groups and strong relationships.
Bernadette played a part in the international LGBT+ family and was a board member of Legato (2013-2017) as well as Chair of Various Voices Dublin 2014. Bernadette sang soprano with Gloria DLGC for many years in Dublin and was a former Chair of the choir.
Her work and dedication to the LGBT+ choral movement was also acknowledged at Various Voices Munich earlier this month.
It’s significant that she died on the day that Ireland voted to repeal the 8th- she’ll be raising a glass herself to this historic day.
Bernadette is survived by her wife Ann and sons Conor and Daragh. May she Rest In Peace.
Changeover in the board
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- Last Updated on Sunday, 30 July 2017 22:35
- Written by Martin Gerrits
Bernadette Manning, board member since 2013, stepped back from the board in spring this year due to health reasons. Bernadette was singer at Glória from Dublin and festival director of Various Voices 2014 Dublin.
Thank you very much Bernadette for your great work for the european choirs.
According to the Legato constitution the remaining board members appointed from Tapalanote/Brussels as board member for the remainder of the unexpired term (last till the AGM on 30. Sept 2017).
Welcome Julie and thank you for your readiness.
4th Komos International Choral Composition Competition
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- Last Updated on Sunday, 30 July 2017 22:18
- Written by Martin Gerrits
Komos, in collaboration with AltrEdizioni Casa Editrice, announces the 4th Komos International Choral Composition Competition, the chief aim of which is to promote the creation and distribution of new choral repertoire related to LGBTQ culture. Participation is open to composers of any nationality, age, sex, or sexual orientation.
Read more: 4th Komos International Choral Composition Competition
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- Last Updated on Sunday, 20 November 2016 23:32
- Written by Martin Gerrits
Dear choristers,
At the recent Legato Annual Meeting 2016 we found that communication and PR of Legato can be improved. A simple and fast way to achieve this goal is to make a better use of the possibilities that social media offer.
Welcome to Legato: new member choirs in 2016 (part 2)
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- Last Updated on Sunday, 30 July 2017 22:49
- Written by Martin Gerrits
We warmly welcome the following new member choirs to Legato. We are now 114 choirs in 18 countries with more than 3,700 singers. We are especially excited about the membership of choirs from two eastern Europe countries as their first representatives: Poland and Czech Republic.
Click on the images to learn more of the new choirs.
Read more: Welcome to Legato: new member choirs in 2016 (part 2)
Welcome to Legato: new member choirs in 2016
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- Last Updated on Sunday, 30 July 2017 22:50
- Written by Martin Gerrits
We warmly welcome the following new member choirs to Legato. We are now 110 choirs in 16 countries with more than 3,600 singers.
Click on the images to learn more of the new choirs.
Eastern Europe Development
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- Last Updated on Wednesday, 31 August 2016 16:42
- Written by Martin Gerrits
Legato has, for some time, wanted to support the development of LGBT choruses in Eastern Europe and to support new choirs etc.
The Board is glad to welcome Ian Doyle who has volunteered to work closely with the Legato Board to liaise with and support developing Eastern European choirs.
Ian is a founding member of Homonics, an Irish LGBT chorus which is a member of Legato. He was Festival Director of Various Voices Dublin 2014 and has many years experience running large events, and also served on the committee and as Chairperson of Gloria, Dublin's Lesbian and Gay Choir. He has also attended many LGBT Choral festivals in Europe and in North America.
You can contact Ian by e-mail: <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>
3rd Komos International Choral Composition Competition
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- Last Updated on Sunday, 10 April 2016 19:30
- Written by Martin Gerrits
Komos, in collaboration with AltrEdizioni Casa Editrice, announces the 3rd Komos International Choral Composition Competition, the chief aim of which is to promote the creation and distribution of new choral repertoire related to LGBTQ culture. Participation is open to composers of any nationality, age, sex, or sexual orientation.
The Competition is dedicated to an original, unpublished composition for men’s chorus (TTBB), a cappella. The maximum duration of the work is five (5) minutes. The text must be based on gay-themed or homoerotic poetry or prose in its original language.
Texts should be in the public domain. When this is not the case, permission to set a text and publish it subsequently must be obtained in writing from the author or copyright holder and must be enclosed with the entry form.
Read more: 3rd Komos International Choral Composition Competition
Last call to join the European Queer Choir in Denver, USA Summer 2016
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- Last Updated on Sunday, 10 April 2016 19:35
- Written by Martin Gerrits
Dear singing friends
I hope this reaches you well. As you may know, I am the Musical Director of the European Queer Choir. We are doing a final call out for singers to join those who have signed up to go to Denver, USA for the GALA Choruses LGBT singing festival Summer, 2-6th July 2016. We are truly European with singers from the UK, Ireland, Sweden, Denmark and Germany so far.
Our rehearsal weekend is taking place on 22-24th April in central London, England.
If you would like to take part in a singing experience of a life time, please let me or Martin Brophy (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) know by the end of next week. Repertoire will be sent out soon so you'll have some time to learn it.
Read more: Last call to join the European Queer Choir in Denver, USA Summer 2016
Welcome to Legato: new member choirs
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- Last Updated on Friday, 29 January 2016 14:28
- Written by Martin Gerrits
We warmly welcome the following new member choirs to Legato. We are now 104 choirs in 15 countries with more than 3,600 singers.
Click on the images to learn more of the new choirs.
Gala Koor
from Amsterdam, Netherlands
type: mixed
members: 30
founded: 2013
joined Legato: 2015
The Galakoor, Gay and Lesbian Amsterdam choir, is the first pink classical choir of the Netherlands, based in Amsterdam. It is a classical choir for gay men and women and their lovers. The repertoire consists of classical music from Bach. This choir will provide music making level and place for fun and friendship. In many large Western cities are already classic pink choirs, but not yet in the Netherlands. That is about to change.
Checcoro
from Milano, Italy
type: mixed
members: 40
founded: 2010
joined Legato: 2015
Hello, we are Checcoro, the first LGBT choir of Milan: a choir made up of people of all sexual orientations who care about the affirmation of human and civil rights for all people, without discrimination of sex and/or sexual orientation and recognition of the family as a social institution formed by two adults and based on mutual love.
Our aim is to sensitize people through group singing a cappella, primary expression of harmony and community of feelings, of proposing to the other without intermediaries he 'aids, through the sole use of the voice.
We sing whenever there is need to reaffirm and defend the rights of LGBT people, which are human rights, and therefore of all. We sing on stage, in public, on the street, but also to private parties and weddings. And if you have an opportunity to offer us, please contact us!
Choral Con Fusion
from Cork, Ireland
type: mixed
members: 42
founded: 2010
joined Legato: 2016
Choral Con Fusion is an informal, inclusive choir that has come from very humble beginnings from an idea over a cup of coffee. In under two years, we have grown into a four-part, mixed-voice group of friends, who enjoy the social gathering as much as the music. We have sung in a variety of contexts, from the Rebel Awards to memorial and carol services, and have a range of repertoire from Classical to pop music.
The Homonics
from Dublin, Ireland
type: men
members: 3
founded: 2015
joined Legato: 2016
Mallorca LGBT Chorus Festival 2016
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- Last Updated on Monday, 25 January 2016 15:42
- Written by Martin Gerrits
After the successfull premiere the Mallorca Gay Men's Chorus is happy to invite to a second edition of the Mallorca LGBT Chorus Festival in 2016.
May 4-8th, 2016
Please find more information in this pdf file:
and on the festival website http://www.mgchf.com
25.01.2016: Please notice the new version of the pdf file: there are now cheaper prizes because of new sponsors!
European Queer Choir to sing at the GALA festival in July 2016
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- Last Updated on Sunday, 10 April 2016 19:47
- Written by Martin Gerrits
If you think about to participate the GALA Festival 2016 in Denver as a single delegate there is a quite good chance for you. Please read the following invitation of Martin Brophy from London:
Dear Friends,
We are working here in London to put together a Choir, the European Queer Choir to sing at the GALA festival in July 2016. http://www.galachoruses.org/events/gala-festival
Read more: European Queer Choir to sing at the GALA festival in July 2016
Composition Competition
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- Last Updated on Sunday, 10 April 2016 19:46
- Written by Martin Gerrits
The Fourth Choir (London LGBT Choir) is announcing a choral composition competition to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the death of William Shakespeare, which will fall on 23 April 2016. The winner of the competition will receive a prize of £1000 and the winning composition will be premièred by the Fourth Choir at a Memorial Concert on 23 April 2016 in London’s historic Middle Temple Hall.
The 400th Anniversary of Shakespeare’s death will be marked by major celebrations but the Fourth Choir wants to ensure that we are also celebrating his sexuality. Very few people know that Shakespeare wrote 126 sonnets describing his love for a beautiful young man. We want to change that!
All information on how to enter can be found at the following site:
http://www.shakespearelovesong.com/
UPDATE - The winners have been selected by "The Fourth Choir"
Review from the First Mallorca Festival 2015
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- Last Updated on Monday, 11 May 2015 01:10
- Written by Martin Gerrits
The First Mallorca Gay Chorus Festival was held 7.-9. May 2015 and is was a great success. Please read the short review and pictures of Joan Laínez, the musical director of the hosting choir Mallorca Gay Men's Chorus:
Hi Friends;
First of all, we want to thank all the attention and good responses that we received from you along the festival, we are very pleased that you wanted to be part of it.
Voting for "Zauberflöten"
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- Last Updated on Sunday, 17 May 2015 15:32
- Written by Martin Gerrits
Here is a call for support by the Cologne choir "Zauberflöten":
Dear friends and members of the LEGATO-choruses,
we are Zauberflöten, one of the gay-men choruses from Cologne (Germany) and we are kindly asking for your support in a competition: A few weeks ago we applied as one of more than 300 choruses from the german state of Northrhine-Westfalia to become „the most popular chorus in our state“.
"We Love The Same" - A Song for Irelands Equal Marriage Campaign
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- Last Updated on Wednesday, 12 August 2015 16:14
- Written by Martin Gerrits
Ireland's only lesbian gay bisexual transgender straight' choir CHORAL CON FUSION from Cork has released its first single in support of a yes vote in Irelands same-sex marriage referendum an May 22th 2015.
The idea for We Love The Same – A Song For Equality "came up over pints after rehearsals last October" choir member and the composer of the song Karl Fradgley said.
Read more: "We Love The Same" - A Song for Irelands Equal Marriage Campaign
77 (Love is Love) 2015 - charity project with the help of "Rosa Note"
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- Last Updated on Wednesday, 12 August 2015 16:13
- Written by Martin Gerrits
Homosexuality is punishable in over 70 countries – in 7 countries by death.
77 reasons for fight for the human rights of homo- and transsexuals. Love is love – everywhere.
Read more: 77 (Love is Love) 2015 - charity project with the help of "Rosa Note"
Mallorca Gay Chorus Festival
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- Last Updated on Monday, 11 May 2015 00:49
- Written by Martin Gerrits
Be a part of Spain's first Gay Choir Festival on May 7-10, 2015
We are very happy about the developments in southern Europe. Not only Italy is preparing his first Cromatica festival (see our last newsletter) but also Spain is running one in short time.
We got now new information from the organisers of the Mallorca Gay Men's Chorus about their festival.
Last New Members
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- Last Updated on Thursday, 04 June 2015 00:31
- Written by Martin Gerrits
We are proud to announce that we welcome warmly the following new members. We have a large network of now 101 choirs from 15 countries with more than 3,600 singers.
To Russia with love
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- Last Updated on Wednesday, 02 April 2014 23:22
- Written by Martin Gerrits
Le Zbor published a music video expressing solidarity with the LGBT citizens of Russia
On the occasion of the opening of Olympic games in Sochi, Le Zbor, Croatian lesbian and feminist choir (the first lesbian and feminist choir in southeastern Europe), published a video for the song Katjusha, expressing its solidarity with the LGBT citizens of Russia and worldwide.
And for our german speaking friends:
here is article about their work in the "Berliner Zeitung/Newspaper":
Review Legato Meeting 2013 and Various Voices 2018 Call for bids
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- Last Updated on Monday, 08 July 2013 16:40
- Written by Martin Gerrits
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We are delighted and proud about a special honour: on June 15th the head of the Various Voices London Team and former volunteer Chairman of The London Gay Men’s Chorus, Martin Brophy has been awarded an MBE (Member of the British Empire) in the 2013 Queen’s Birthday Honours List in recognition of his work promoting and bringing together lesbian and gay choirs and singers from across the world. Congratulations and thanks from us all.
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The new board worked the last weeks on the road map of the Various Voices Festival 2018. The Legato Board hereby invites all European member choirs and ensembles to apply to be the host of the 14th Various Voices Festival in 2018. Please find attached and on our website the detailed "Call for bids". If your choir is interested to be the host send us your draft bid at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it." target="_blank">This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. till November 30th, 2013. At the next Legato Meeting 2014 in Dublin will be the final vote.
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Last but not least we want to call attention of ournew website and also the Legato Facebook: please like us and stay in touch.
All the best for you summer concerts and events from
Dominik J. Jakob, Bernadette Manning and Martin Gerrits
New members
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- Last Updated on Wednesday, 12 August 2015 16:18
- Written by Martin Gerrits
We proudly welcome in May 2013 two new members to Legato:
- Rainbow Chorus from Brighton & Hove, United Kingdom
- Brighton Gay Men's Chorus also from Brighton & Hove, United Kingdom
Legato consists now of 72 choirs from 13 countries with more than 2,500 singers.
Newsletter January 2013
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- Last Updated on Wednesday, 12 August 2015 16:23
- Written by Martin Gerrits
Komos Choral Composition Competition
Komos, the Bologna Gay Men's Choir, in collaboration with AltrEdizioni Casa Editrice, announces the first Komos International Choral Composition Competition, the chief aim of which is to promote the creation and distribution of new choral repertoire related to LGBTQ culture.
Participation is open to composers of any nationality, age, sex, or sexual orientation.
Newsletter December 2012
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- Last Updated on Monday, 08 July 2013 16:46
- Written by Martin Gerrits
General Meeting 2013
SAVE THE DATE
Saturday, May 25, 2013
in London/UK
Newsletter January 2012
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- Last Updated on Monday, 08 July 2013 16:45
- Written by Martin Gerrits
General Meeting 2012
Saturday, March 31, 2012
at 14.00 o'clock
in Cologne/Germany
at Bürgerhaus Köln-Kalk
Address: Kalk-Mülheimer Straße 58, Cologne-Kalk
Here is the invitation including further information (PDF 1.3 MB).
Please register online here till March 21.
Newsletter December 2011
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- Last Updated on Friday, 17 May 2013 11:48
- Written by Martin Gerrits
We are very happy to announce in December 2011 our new members:
- Leineperlen from Hannover/Germany
- Komos from Bologna/Italy
- Reykjavik Queer Choir from Reykjavik/Iceland
- Tapalanote from Burssels/Belgium
- Regenbogenchor from Munich/Germany
Legato meeting 2011 in Dublin
in June this year, the delegates at the meeting in Dublin were informed about the preparations for the next Various Voices Festival 2014. We were excited about the opportunities presented by the organising Dublin team at the university campus for the choral event. In addition, Mary Fyfe, Dominik Jakob and Martin Gerrits were confirmed as board-members for another two years.
Newsletter May 2011
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- Last Updated on Saturday, 23 March 2013 14:54
- Written by Martin Gerrits
Legato General Meeting 2011
The annual meeting 2011 was held in june in Dublin and the team of the Various Voices festival 2014 informed the delegates about the current plannings.
The Deputy Lord Mayor of Dublin Edie Wynne welcomed the delegates in the Mansion House.
Newsletter March 2011
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- Last Updated on Saturday, 23 March 2013 14:40
- Written by Martin Gerrits
General Meeting 2011
Saturday, June 11, 2011
in Dublin/Ireland
at Dublin City University
Here is the invitation.
Please register online here till May 31.
The Legato board was charged from the last meeting to investigate the process of selecting the venue of Various Voices. So we kindly ask you to fill out the following questionnaire till may 25.
Newsletter October 2010
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- Last Updated on Saturday, 23 March 2013 14:38
- Written by Martin Gerrits
New Members
We are very happy to announce in october 2010 our new members:
- Glória from Dublin/Irland
- Miss Stücke from München/Deutschland
Newsletter December 26, 2009
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- Last Updated on Saturday, 23 March 2013 14:38
- Written by Martin Gerrits
Dear friends in Europe,
this is the newsletter of LEGATO for our choir members:
(1) NEW MEMBERS
We are very happy to announce our new members:
- Querchorallen from Berlin/Germany
- Manchester Lesbian and Gay Chorus from UK
- WEIBrations from Karlsruhe/Germany
Unfortunately the "Berliner Heartchor" from Germany broke up and closed its membership this year.
(2) DONATION
The team from Various Voices Berlin 2001 fixed their accounts an made an extraordinary donation to LEGATO about 10.000,00 Euros. Legato signed an agreement to use the donation only for supporting the organisers of further european Various Voices Festivals. The money is given form Legato as a flat loan to the organisers in an early state but has to pay back in the time when the first participant fees are collected. We appreciate the "Team Berlin" for this great help.
(3) VARIOUS VOICES 2013
Unfortunately till now there is no application for hosting the next festival. Team London is happy to help with any information and knowledge support.
(4) CHOIR FESTIVAL of the Gay Games 2010 in Cologne
The organisers of the Gay Games Choir Festival asked us to send out some information (Link deleted)
The Legato board wishes everybody a peacefull and merry christmas and a happy new year
Mary Fyfe - Dominik Jakob - Martin Gerrits