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Are you passionate about music? Looking to meet new people and try something fun? Or maybe you’ve always wanted to join a choir but weren’t sure where to start? We have the perfect opportunity for you! The South Wales Gay Men’s Chorus (SWGMC) is hosting an Open Evening on Thursday, 24 October, from 7:30 to 9:30pm at Roath Church House, and we’d love for you to join us!

What to Expect:

Our Open Evening is a relaxed and welcoming event designed for everyone—whether you’re a seasoned singer, someone who just loves music, or you’re simply looking for a friendly group to connect with. There are no auditions and no pressure, just an opportunity to get to know the chorus, experience our rehearsals, and see if this community is the right fit for you.

Why Join Us?

The South Wales Gay Men’s Chorus is more than just a choir—we’re a supportive, inclusive community of individuals who come together to create beautiful music and celebrate pride. Joining the chorus is a fantastic way to:

• Make New Friends: Meet people who share your passion for music and inclusivity.
• Boost Your Confidence: Singing with others can be a powerful way to build confidence and self-expression.
• Be Part of Something Special: Whether we’re performing at local events or just enjoying rehearsals, we bring joy, unity, and pride to everything we do.

Who Can Attend?

Our Open Evening is open to all gay, bi, trans, and queer people, along with allies who want to sing and have fun in a welcoming, friendly environment. You don’t need to have any prior experience—just come along with your enthusiasm and a willingness to give it a go!

Event Details:

📅 Date: Thursday, 24 October
⏰ Time: 7:30pm - 9:30pm
📍 Location: Roath Church House, Cardiff

So, what are you waiting for? Whether you're curious about singing or just looking for a new hobby, come along to our Open Evening and experience the magic of the South Wales Gay Men’s Chorus for yourself!

We can’t wait to meet you!

For more details, contact us at hello@swgmc.co.uk or follow us on social media for updates.

Top tenor Craig shares his highlights of this year's Hand in Hand Festival.

From 16-18 August 2024, Bristol came alive as the UK and Ireland’s LGBTQ+ choirs gathered for the much-anticipated Hand in Hand festival. Originally set for 2021, the event was postponed due to Covid, but it was well worth the wait! Held every two years, Hand in Hand carefully avoids clashing with its European counterpart, Various Voices, so that choirs can enjoy both.

After stops in London, Brighton, Manchester, and Cardiff, this year it was Bristol's turn to host—and it didn’t disappoint!

Bristol Takes Center Stage

This year’s festival, badged as a weekend of music, community, and celebration, went above and beyond. Glorious weather, an incredible venue at the newly refurbished Bristol Beacon, and, of course, the fantastic choirs made it truly spectacular. With multiple stages throughout the venue, the festival had a real buzz. The sun shining over Bristol’s stunning backdrop made the whole experience even more magical.

South Wales Gay Men's Chorus Represent!

For many of us at the South Wales Gay Men’s Chorus, it was just a short hop over to Bristol. Most of us arrived Friday afternoon, just in time to catch the first performances. After months of preparation (and a last-minute decision to drop one song from our set), we were ready to hit the stage. Our Musical Director, Chris Fossey, led us to perfection as always, and we couldn’t wait to perform!

We took the main stage on Saturday morning at 11:30am, leaving the rest of the day to soak in the atmosphere, cheer on the other choirs, and—naturally—hit the bar and catch up with old friends. With 44 LGBTQ+ choirs and over 1,400 participants, there was always something to do: workshops, performances, and exploring the city. The vibe? Electric.


 

A Joyous Celebration of Music and Community

One SWGMC member summed it up perfectly: “I had a wonderful experience hanging out with the guys, laughing, and just soaking it all in. Performing was a joy, but what struck me most was realizing how talented we are. Being part of something so creative and collective with other gay men was incredible.”

Being around 1,400 other LGBTQ+ singers is something special. There’s a sense of belonging and joy that you only get at festivals like Hand in Hand or Various Voices. It’s emotional, empowering, and recharges your sense of community. Sure, you get those post-festival blues, but that’s how you know it was a truly magical weekend.
 

Sharing the Stage and Making New Friends

As former festival hosts, we had the honor of performing alongside our Welsh LGBTQ+ siblings, Cardiff Trans Singers and The Songbirds, at the Saturday evening gala concert. Our showstopper? An amazing rendition of Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious that had the crowd cheering! We soaked in the applause, then celebrated with a few pints before dancing the night away at the DJ set at Bristol Beacon.

Sunday followed the tradition of spreading the joy around the host city. We had a blast performing at Bristol Docks’ M-Sheds with Brighton’s Rainbow Chorus—our newest friends. The crowd loved it, and we felt like we were bringing sunshine with our voices on that beautiful morning.


 

Newcomers Loved It Too!

Some of our newer members couldn’t stop raving about their first Hand in Hand experience.

“I felt like I was part of a huge community, and it was so uplifting!”

“The atmosphere was amazing. Seeing choirs at different stages in their journeys was inspiring!”

“Being surrounded by so much passion and creativity—it was just incredible!”
 

What’s Next?

As the festival came to a close on Sunday afternoon, we all gathered for the traditional handover ceremony. The next host city? Drumroll, please… BLACKPOOL in 2027! We’re already planning our trip (seaside vibes, here we come!) and, before that, we’ll be heading to Brussels for Various Voices in 2026. We’re excited to see the festival schedule fall back into place, with less of a gap between them (fingers crossed).
 

Come Sing With Us!

Feeling inspired? Want to join a fun, diverse, and inclusive choir? South Wales Gay Men’s Chorus is always welcoming new members. Don’t worry about your gender identity or sexuality—if you can sing tenor, baritone, or bass, we’d love to have you! No auditions, and your first month is free, so why not give it a try? Check out our website for details on our next new members’ night, or just come along anytime. We'd love to sing with you!
https://www.swgmc.co.uk

South Wales Gay Men’s Chorus (SWGMC) have announced their cinematic summer extravaganza which will be performed at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama (RWCMD) on  01 June 2024.

Lights! Camera! Slay! will be a choral exploration of epic songs from cult classic and guilty pleasure movies, featuring a guest appearance from Dublin’s Glória LGBT Chorus.

The one night performance will take place at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama on 01 June 2024, with doors opening at 7pm.
 

After an exceptional start to the year for LGBTQ+ representation on the silver screen with smashes like Saltburn creating culturally iconic moments, this performance promises to celebrate queer cinema in all its glory, albeit with the choir fully clothed.

 Chris Fossey, Musical Director at SWGMC said;

“We’re excited to share with our audience this unique singamatic experience.

“You’ve seen and fallen in love with the films, now it’s time to hear your favourite songs from those movies like you’ve never heard them before.

“It promises to be an unforgettable evening and I’m incredibly proud of the work the choir and the creative team have put into making this a spectacular performance”

The evening will be a mix of live performance and pre-recorded montages sharing the narrative behind songs from Xanadu, The Rocky Horror Picture Show, Pulp Fiction, Moulin Rouge, The Adventures of Priscilla Queen of the Desert, Cabaret, The First Wives Club, Mary Poppins, and many more.

Mike Tang, Chair of SWGMC adds;

“This thrilling performance is another great step forward in our aspirations as a choir. Each year we continue to push the boundaries and find new ways to create an unforgettable experience. 

“We’re also proud to be welcoming Glória LGBT chorus who have a fantastic set planned for us.

“We hope to see lots of familiar and new faces there so please do get your tickets early before they sell out. We can’t think of a better way to kickstart what will be a busy and fun filled Pride Month”

Tickets are priced between £8-16 and can be purchased at https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/swgmc/t-earpdyr

In June 2023, members of the South Wales Gay Men’s Chorus swapped the rolling hills of Wales for the stunning medieval city of Bologna, Italy, as we packed our bags full of sunscreen, choir uniforms, and plenty of excitement for the Various Voices LGBTQ+ Choral Festival.

Bologna, a city steeped in history and charm, was the perfect host for this international festival, which welcomed 110 choirs from around the globe. Having previously performed at Various Voices festivals in Munich and Dublin, we were thrilled to return for this vibrant event, held every four years.

The festival, which ran from 14–18 June 2023, was filled with opportunities to perform in beautiful venues across the city, from theatres to piazzas. The atmosphere was electric, with choirs coming together from all over the world to share their love of music and celebrate the power of inclusion and diversity.

Our first performance took place at the prestigious Teatro Arena Del Sole, where we were the very first choir to take the stage. Dressed in our finest performance uniforms, and accompanied by our five Welsh flags, we sang to an enthusiastic audience of fellow choirs. It was an exhilarating experience, followed by a full afternoon of performances from other choirs, each delivering 30-minute sets.

Evenings were spent at the lively festival hub, located just outside the city centre at the Dumbo Centre. This converted railway station provided a unique space for performances, food, and socialising, complete with a massive stage for the opening and closing ceremonies. 

While some of us found alternative spots to relax and enjoy a drink away from the crowds, the camaraderie of the group was always at the forefront. Our WhatsApp group became a lifeline, ensuring no one got left behind (unless they chose to enjoy a bit of solo time). Whether it was grabbing a coffee, exploring a museum, or cheering on other choirs, there was always something happening, and we shared it all together.

Our final performance was held in the beautiful Courtyard of Honour at Palazzo D’Accursio, right on Piazza Maggiore. In this more relaxed setting, we performed a lively set in our signature yellow T-shirts (kindly provided by our friends at Viridor), much to the delight of the audience. Videos of our performances are available on our YouTube channel if you’d like to take a look!

By the time the festival drew to a close, our voices were hoarse, and we carried home fond memories of one of the most joyous and inclusive events we've ever attended. While some of us returned to Wales on Sunday, others extended their trip to explore the nearby cities of Florence and Venice, keeping the spirit of the festival alive through our ever-busy WhatsApp group.

Back in Wales, we’ve been reflecting on what an incredible experience we had in Bologna. The next Various Voices festival will take place in Brussels in 2026, and we’re already planning to attend. But before that, we have Hand in Hand Bristol in August 2024 to look forward to—our very own UK version of the festival!

Being part of SWGMC isn’t just about singing; it’s about friendship, fun, and community. If you’d like to be part of our choir, we’d love to hear from you.