For nearly fifty years, The Stonewall Chorale has raised its voice in song, and in solidarity. Founded in 1977, we are the nation’s oldest LGBTQIA+ chorus and one of the few lesbian/gay choirs devoted to classical repertoire and contemporary choral works. Through powerful performances and a vibrant community of singers and supporters, we have spent decades amplifying LGBTQIA+ voices and creating spaces of dignity, belonging, and joy through music.

Today, we find ourselves at a truly transformational moment.

The 2026–27 season will mark our 50th Anniversary, a milestone that coincides with the conclusion of Artistic Director Cynthia Powell’s extraordinary 25-year tenure. Her leadership has shaped the Chorale’s artistic excellence and deepened our impact across New York City. As we celebrate this legacy, we must also prepare thoughtfully and ambitiously for the future.

To seize this historic opportunity, we are seeking to raise $50,000 in leadership support from our most committed supporters to help us:

Launch the Next Era of Artistic Leadership
Your gift will help complete a national search for a visionary new artistic director and provide the transition resources needed to ensure continuity, artistic excellence, and a confident beginning for our next chapter.

Bring Our Music to Larger Stages
As audiences grow and more singers seek to join our ranks, we are exploring larger venues such as Saint Bartholomew’s Church and Neidorff-Karpati Hall at Manhattan School of Music. These spaces will allow us to welcome significantly larger audiences, expand the ensemble, and celebrate our 50th Anniversary with returning alumni and special exhibits highlighting the Chorale’s place in New York’s LGBTQIA+ history.

Expand Community Access
With larger venues and outreach performances planned across multiple boroughs, we will engage a broader cross-section of New Yorkers—while continuing to keep our performances accessible and affordable.

This work matters now more than ever. While progress toward equality is real, dignity and safety for many LGBTQIA+ people—particularly transgender individuals—remain fragile. For decades, The Stonewall Chorale has offered a sanctuary where identities are affirmed, chosen family forms, and community thrives.

At this pivotal moment, leadership gifts will help ensure that the Chorale’s next 50 years are as inspiring and impactful as its first.

Your support may honor someone you love, sustain an organization that has touched your life, or affirm the belief that equality and dignity are shared human values. As one supporter recently shared, “The possibility that, by supporting the Chorale, I could touch just one other person the way the Chorale has touched me is worth everything.”

The Stonewall Chorale: 50 for 50

Celebrate 50 years of the nation’s first LGBTQ+ choir

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