Australia's First LGBTQIA+ Choir
ABOUT US - shOUT
Since it fledged from its parent choir, Melbourne Gay & Lesbian Chorus, in 2005, shOUT Youth Chorus has spread its wings and soared.
​
The first LGBTQIA+ youth choir in Australasia, shOUT provides a platform for young people aged 18 - 29 to make their voices heard.
​
Made rich by the diversity and creativity of its membership shOUT brings its own unique identity to its musical endeavours with a repertoire that’s surprising, dynamic and joyous.
​
As a performing choir, shOUT are increasingly in demand and have been invited to perform at many notable occasions including the Melbourne Writers' Festival and Gaytimes Festival, and most recently as part of Paul Mac's The Rise and Fall of Saint George at The Arts Centre.
​
shOUT’s growing reputation recognises not only the calibre of the music they create, but their importance as emerging leaders of our community.
​
Rehearsals are every Wednesday evening from 5:45m – 7pm in South Yarra.
Some shOUT members also regularly rehearse and sing with MGLC, our main chorus.
Membership of shOUT automatically entitles a singer to sing with MGLC with no additional membership fees.
​
For more information about joining shOUT and/or MGLC, please see our detailed "Join Us" FAQs.
shOUT's Musical Director is Christopher M. Harley
​​
Trained at the prestigious Sydney Conservatorium of Music, Christopher M. Harley is a sought-after conductor, composer and multi-instrumentalist focussing on creating innovative and accessible musical experiences in both professional and community settings.
Before taking on the role of Music Director of shOUT, Christopher worked as the Choirs Manager for Sydney Philharmonia Choirs’ Symphony Chorus (resident choir of the Sydney Symphony Orchestra) and VOX (Sydney’s preeminent youth choir), and currently lectures at the Victorian College of the Arts.
Studying under Australia’s preeminent choral conductors including Brett Weymark and Elizabeth Scott, Christopher has conducted concerts across Australia and music-directed award-winning productions, as well as composing original scores, for companies including Sydney Theatre Company, Ensemble Theatre, Darlinghurst Theatre Company, Griffin Theatre, Gondwana Children’s Choir, the Adelaide Cabaret Festival and NIDA.
They have also had contemporary concert works and arrangements premiered by leading Australian ensembles including Adelaide Symphony Orchestra, Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra Victoria, Australian Art Orchestra, Topology and members of Ensemble Q.
​
​