lesbian and gay chorus of washington (live)

Charles tells me about the beginning, almost 15 years ago, and their first show.

"Including the chorus, there were about 14 people in that small room," he pauses for emphasis, "and most of the six audience members were spouses."

Things have changed.

During two winter nights in January at the DC Jewish Community Center (DCJCC), The Lesbian and Gay Chorus of Washington, D.C., (LGCW) sang strong to audiences numbering upwards of 100 people. The audience was excited to see the performance of Gian Carlo Menotti's "The Unicorn, The Gorgon and The Manticore."

A simple stage stood silent in the theater, awaiting the music. Adorned with only a riser for the singers and a piano, it spoke of the main focus of tonight's performance: the voices that would be raised together.

The performance started with the chorus ( nearly 50 strong) lining the sides of the audience. Colorful ribbons hung on the neck of each singer. They immediately broke into tune together: "We'll sing out/We'll march together....We shall be heard" filled the air.

The first half of the show featured a conglomeration of songs pulled from a variety of cultures: "Let the River Run", made popular by Carly Simon; a back and forth "My love walks in velvet" between the men and the women; "A Gaelic Blessing"; and a spirited Psalm 133:1 in Hebrew, "Hine Ma Tov." (The LGCW can actually sing songs in nearly 10 languages).

After intermission, Menotti's chorus began. A story told in verses, it chronicles a man's misunderstandings with the local village as he introduces a unicorn, a gorgon and a manticore into their lives. The villagers at first are appalled by each creature, then want one for themselves, then are appalled again as each creature in turn dies to make room for the next. It is only at the end that you understand it is representative of the man's progression from youth to middle age to old age.

The LGCW did a wonderful job interpreting the work. With varying tempos and requirements needed from all singers at differing times, they handled it with professionalism and vigor. The sung verses were interposed with two-person dance routines that interpreted the story, and were exceptional. The chorus wore all black for this half of the show and the increased emphasis this placed on the words and music of the story and the dancers was very well done. (Little did they know that night of January 23, that it was the 17th anniversary of the death of Sammy Barba, Menoitti's lover.)

The LGCW should be an inspiration to everyone. The diversity and equalness they desire to promote is also their motto. All decisions are made collectively by the group. The LGCW was one of the first gay choruses in the United States, and are also one of a rare few of integrated lesbian and gay groups in the nation. They also give back to the community in a good sort of activism. They hold benefit concerts, the most recent raising almost $1000 for the Hines Jr. High School at 8th and Pennsylvania.

This talented and committed group believes that music has always possessed the magic to break down barriers and they want to put it to work here in the Washington DC community. See for yourself. Their next concert of the season, "Who We Really Are" will be held June 6th at UDC.

(Thanks to Jennifer, Kim, Bonnie and Charles for sharing with me).