December 1 is World AIDS Day – a global day of remembrance, the time when we remember those who died, and celebrate those scientists, doctors, the countless volunteers and the unceasing work that collectively they do to make the lives of those living with HIV increasingly better. Earlier in the evening in Brighton, people gather by Romany Mark Bruce’s beautiful AIDS Memorial in New Steine Gardens for the reading of the names of those who passed, a solemn and deeply touching tribute that precedes this annual and uplifting concert performance where the city’s LGBTQ+ choirs join together in song.
The first group to sing were the Brighton Gay Men’s Chorus, always smart, always well drilled and always entertaining. This time they treated us to a set of four popular songs and lots of what I believe is known as armography. This time they performed a set of songs beautifully arranged with Fabulous Baby coming across as a fun and camp highlight.
Next up a new and currently smaller group with some familiar faces from the Rainbow Chorus. Brighton Rox may at present be small in number but my, they pack a punch with soaring sopranos and powerful lower voices and their opening arrangement of the Spice Girls classic Wannabe was awe inspiring, I cannot wait to hear more from them in the future.
Next Resound, famously ambitious, inventive and daring in their choice of repertoire and once more delivering three works that whilst unfamiliar showed them at their very best. I always look forward to hearing them sing and was not disappointed, especially in their final piece, Cold Moon, which on this occasion showed their vocal talents and sensitive delivery to best advantage.
To round off the first half, the always impressive Actually Gay Men’s Chorus took to the platform in the packed surroundings of St Mary’s Kemptown. What they deliver is a finely honed sound, rich in quality and well balanced, the essence of a male voice choir and flawless in presentation. After an interval tinged with the aroma of mulled wine and mince pies, a regular feature of the evening as always delivered by the volunteers from the amazing Lunch Positive charity who would be the beneficiaries of the evening’s fundraising efforts. Later director of the charity, Gary Pargeter, would give an well crafted speech reminding us all of how far we might have come but also how far we still have to go. The man is a champion and a miracle of selfless energies.
Part two opened with Qukeleles, this year smaller in number but truly entertaining with three joyously witty numbers that had us all smiling from cheek to cheek. There’s an infectious energy to what they do and this year they pulled it off with charm, especially with Blame It On The Bossa Nova.
Making their first appearance at this annual event came Hullabaloo, an inclusive choir who, despite on the day losing seven of their bass voices, managed to deliver a set of songs with style and humour, and certainly had us all smiling with their final number in which we were encouraged to join in. Let’s hope they become a regular part of the event in coming years.
Almost last but certainly never least we have the Rainbow Chorus who in recent outings have impressed with programmes that have included a wide range of musical forms and some very challenging ones for a community choir. Who will forget, if you were lucky enough to be there, their impressive performance of Pergolasi’s Stabat Mater. On this occasion their choices were far more secular but no less impressive and it should be noted that they have perhaps the finest section of soprano voices right now, towering, powerful and pure, really very impressive and giving this choir a full and balanced sound. Their delicious performance of Kate Bush’s December Will Be Magic Again made me believe that Christmas was now officially with us.
Speeches next before all the performers returned to the platform for one more group number which they delivered with a power and precision that is remarkable given that they only gather to rehearse Together We Are One collectively on the day.
This year the evening was hosted by the talented Andrew Farr whose compèring skills were of the highest order and later his now signature song, La Vie En Rose, showed off his vocal talents once more.
This is a favourite concert in my annual calendar, a calendar packed with music of all kinds, from amateur to professional, small to huge, classical to popular and all points in between. It always stands out as a high point and for so many reasons. I will not be giving it a star rating as intention and delivery of this event far exceeds any stars I might bestow. This is a sparkling firmament, a glittering display of what the LGBTQ+ community and its allies can deliver year on year
