South Coast Chorale Opens "First Pride" Concert on November 1
News related to:South Coast Chorale · 3 min read
South Coast Chorale, a community vocal ensemble based in the LGBTQ+ community, is set to open its "A Season of Firsts" with a performance of "First Pride" on November 1 at the Long Beach Playhouse. The event, which marks the debut of Interim Artistic Director Corinne Burch, aims to honor the voices that refused to be silenced and the resilience of the LGBTQ+ community.
"First Pride" returns to June 1970 and the first Christopher Street Liberation Day March in New York City. Through choral music, stories, and moments of joyful audience participation, the concert will recreate the feeling of a protest march, inviting concertgoers to chant and sing along.
Burch has led the Trans Chorus of Los Angeles since 2022, conducting at venues including the Greek Theatre and recording with artists such as MUNA and Wrabel. A former board-certified music therapist, Burch also holds a master’s degree in nonprofit leadership and management from USC. She succeeds Lindsey Hundley as Interim Artistic Director.
The concert will be performed at 3:00 pm on Sunday, November 1, with a pre-show panel scheduled for 2:00 pm. The Long Beach Playhouse, located at 5021 E. Anaheim Street, Long Beach, is wheelchair accessible and offers a combination of free on-site and street parking. Tickets are $35 (plus fees) at southcoastchorale.org or On the Stage.
Gricar, who served as interim accompanist for last season’s “Miscast Cabaret” and “Love, Poetry,” will succeed Lindsey Hundley. A Cal State Fullerton graduate, she has been the pianist at Faith United Methodist Church in Torrance since 2023. Julie O'Brien, an interior designer specializing in hotels, joined SCC in 2023 and previously served as membership chair and production lead. She succeeds Tony Almero-Stokes, who led the board for five seasons and now serves as president emeritus.
O'Brien said the board’s goals this season include deeper community engagement across greater Long Beach and modernizing while also honoring the Chorale’s 37-year legacy.
The Chorale is especially eager to welcome lower voices to its bass section. Interested singers can learn more at southcoastchorale.org or submit an application through the website. Over the past five seasons, the Chorale has navigated a post-pandemic environment with increased challenges on the economic front and a rise in vocalized and legislated moves against the LGBTQ+ community. Chorale programming has focused on historic victories and positive achievements of the LGBTQ+ community to not only educate the audience and members but also to affirm themselves.
In the Spring of 2023, the Chorale presented a concert focused on anti-bullying and acceptance. A musical presentation of the story “Oliver Button is a Sissy” was performed in partnership with a youth theater group and two other Long Beach arts organizations. Free educational performances were presented to nearly 1,600 Long Beach area elementary school students, in addition to public performances.
The Chorale has established a reputation of performances that are distinguished for their LGBTQ+ diversity and artistic excellence, receiving community nominations and recognition from local city and state leaders and organizations, as well as audience praise. From the West Coast premiere of a choral tribute to the life and accomplishments of openly gay civil rights activist Bayard Rustin, to the Southern California premiere of “Street Requiem” honoring those who have lived and died on the streets, the many talented singers that have graced the ranks of SCC have performed for thousands of audience members all over the US and Canada, spreading musical messages that resound with echoes of harmony and belonging.