Founded in 2008 at Beijing, the Beijing Queer Chorus (北京酷儿合唱团) is now, with around 60 regular performing members, the first public performing LGBT chorus in mainland China. BQC is a member of the

GALA Choruses The Gay and Lesbian Association of Choruses ("GALA Choruses") is an international association of LGBT choruses founded in 1982. In its inaugural performance 14 choruses performed together in September 1982 in San Francisco as part of the first G ...

. The Chorus was known as Shining Jazzy Chorus.

Introduction

Beijing Queer Chorus (BQC) is a semiprofessional mixed choir founded in 2008. It is the first publicly performing LGBT+ choir in Mainland China, and is one of the first two Asian choirs attending international LGBT choral festivals. BQC currently has over 100 members registered. To practice the idea "Sing for a Better World", BQC conducts various public music events on a regular base and actively participate in music communications domestically and internationally. After attending LGBT Chorus festival around the world for several times, it jointly hosted the first Queer Chorus Festival in Mainland China along with six LGBT+ choirs. Through chorus shows and cultural communication in Tianjin, Hong Kong, Taipei, Tokyo, London, Seattle, Portland etc., chorus members hope to break down the barriers among individuals and groups. BQC has collaborated with partners including the British, Dutch, and German embassies in Beijing, China, TEDx, VICE China, and the Broadway Musical RENT. It also promotes AIDS prevention activities and attends environmental protection events.

Recent history

The chorus was founded in October 2008 as the Shining Jazzy Chorus. Currently, they perform two concerts each year. In June 2013, they performed with Seattle Men's Chorus assistant director, Eric Lane Barnes. The following month of that year, they met with

Gary Locke Gary Faye Locke (born January 21, 1950) is an American politician and diplomat serving as the interim president of Bellevue College, the largest of the institutions that make up the Washington Community and Technical Colleges system. Locke serv ...

. In April 2014, they changed their name to the Beijing Queer Chorus. In the same year, two BQC singers attended Various Voices Dublin 2014. In July 2016, 14 BQC singers attended the GALA choruses festival in Denver, U.S. In December 2016, they celebrates 8th anniversary. In March 2018, they toured Northwestern U.S.

References

External links

Official website

music collection
at Douban {{authority control LGBT culture in Beijing Musical groups established in 2008 Chinese choirs LGBT choruses LGBT organizations based in China Organizations based in Beijing 2008 establishments in China Musical groups from Beijing