2006 reviewed
On stage at Leeds Town Hall as part of Holocaust Memorial Day, Jan 2006. Photo: from BBC News.
Musical Director Jane Edwardson talks to the audience, Double Ensemble, June 06. Photo: Mark Michalowski
Brian, Susan and Cherry on stage a the Library Theatre, Birmingham. May 06. Photo: Dave Edwards.
Gay Abandon singing at the Royal Academy of Music, London. December 06. Photo: Mark Weeks.
2006 was a busy year for us.
We started the year performing at Leeds' Holocaust Memorial Day in the Town Hall, with three songs which prompted one audience member to say "I have never before experienced a 'statement' that communicated as effectively as the choir did the beauty, warmth and humanness of a love for which many are still persecuted. I believe you managed to move the audience both emotionally and politically with the choir's understated yet striking presence, simplicity of message and beauty of singing. [Gay Abandon] epitomised the day's message that individuals can act to make a difference. You were truly inspirational.". Our appearance lead the local news, and we were invited back in 2007.
Then we launched into a set for lesbian gay bisexual and transgendered history month called Now you see us. We've never been so busy. With the help of lottery funding, we aimed to take our music beyond our usual audiences. It was a departure from the norm for us too - as well as singing we had narrative, photos and displays about our shared history, and for the first time we performed with our house band.
All the songs were arranged by our musical director Jane Edwardson, and all had some queer connection - from Freddy Mercury's Crazy Little Thing through to Cole Porter's Night and Day
We went down a storm at our first gig - at Askham Grange women's prison near York. We also performed at Bradford Students' Union (least said...), gave a free performance at the Carriageworks Theatre in Leeds, and helped launch Bradford's Equity Centre.
In May we were off to Birmingham, to sing with our friends The Rainbow Chorus at the Library Theatre. We took our lgbt history set, along with a few extras, and ten tons of drum kit and assorted band equipment.
Then in June we hosted our annual summer concert, Double Ensemble in Leeds. After gadding around the country it was like returning to our home crowd and we were given a rapturous reception by an audience that included new faces as well as our faithful supporters. Thanks!-)
The concert featured the world premiere of a piece (Love's Philosophy) written by one of our members, Ian Akroyd. We cursed him a lot while we were learning it, but it was a pleasure and a privelge to perform it at last.
Double Ensemble also featured another lgb choir, the Pink Singers from London, and we were delighted to welcome them even if finding a venue for a Sunday brunch for 120 people proved a bit of a nightmare. Thankfully sunny weather and a picnic came to our rescue.
After a short break for summer, we returned to start learning a new set of music ready for our return concert with the Pinkies in London in December.
Meanwhile our fame had spread - and we were invited to Newham Grange prison near Wakefield. It was possibly one of our rowdiest - in a good way! - audiences we've had. They sang along, clapped, cheered and wiped the tears from their eyes. We loved it.