The Long Island Gay Men’s Chorus has announced the start of rehearsals for its Pride 2025 concert series.
Weekly rehearsals begin from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 29 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 120 Vernon Valley Road in East Northport, leading up to LIGMC’s annual drag cabaret in April and Pride concerts in June.
Whether you come from community theater or karaoke or somewhere in between, there’s a place for you in LIGMC welcomes all who can commit to weekly rehearsals, learning the music, and having fun as we put on a great show with some wonderful folks.
Interested singers can follow LIGMC on Instagram and Facebook or contact LIGMC’s board of directors at [email protected] for more info.
This December, the Long Island Gay Men’s Chorus (LIGMC) invites its audience to join with them as they “Make a Joyful Noise” to celebrate their love of singing and the spirit of the holiday season.
During concerts set for 6 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 8 at St. John’s Episcopal Church, 12 Prospect St., Huntington village; 8 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 13 at St. Francis Episcopal Church, 1692 Bellmore Ave., North Bellmore; and 8 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 14 at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship at Stony Brook, 380 Nicolls Road, East Setauket, LIGMC will fire up the musical sleigh for a first half dedicated to the joy of singing and a rollicking second half filled with holiday favorites and surprises. Tickets are $25 and are available for purchase at the door or online at https://www.ligmc.org/concerts.
“The joy of singing is what brings these men together season after season, and the camaraderie and musicianship that grows from this bond is certainly something to celebrate!” said LIGMC Artistic Director and Accompanist Jeanette Cooper. “As showtime draws closer, I just know that the hard work of every single one of our choristers is going to give you something to remember and cherish.”
Earlier this season, LIGMC’s 19 singers hosted its “Heroes and Villains” cabaret brunch at VFW Post 433 in Sayville. Earlier in the fall, members sang the National Anthem at the Village of Manorhaven Sept. 11 memorial ceremony for the second consecutive year. Looking ahead, LIGMC members are set to make the trek to Manhattan on Wednesday, Dec. 18 to perform in the lobby of the InterContinental Barclay New York, continuing a longstanding holiday tradition of spreading holiday cheer in the Big Apple.
“This season, we have had the pleasure of welcoming five new singers to LIGMC’s ranks – each of whom has quickly made their own mark on our brotherhood of song,” said Bill McCarthy, President of LIGMC’s Board of Directors. “We have found each other through the universal language of song – and this holiday season, we are looking forward to celebrating the season and sharing our unifying love of music with all of you.”
About the Long Island Gay Men’s Chorus (LIGMC)
The Long Island Gay Men’s Chorus is a volunteer, not-for-profit, community-based organization that provides diverse audiences with high-quality choral performances and musical experiences. LIGMC uses music to unite the LGBTQ+ community, fight prejudice and discrimination, foster a welcoming and inclusive space for LGBTQ+ individuals to be their authentic selves and explore their diversified interests, and affirm the contributions of the LGBTQ+ community to the region’s cultural life.
LIMGC rehearsing at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church. Courtesy Danny Schrafel
By Lauren Feldman
The Long Island Gay Men’s Chorus held its first rehearsal for the 2024 holiday season on Wednesday, Sept. 4, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in East Northport.
The chorus aims to entertain audiences with high-quality choral performances, while affirming the contributions of Long Island’s LGBT+ community. Programs include challenging contemporary music, and performances of an ambitious, traditional repertoire alongside music from various world cultures.
The chorus affirms, by example and through song, the worth and dignity of a cross-section of the diverse population that is reflective of Long Island and the nation as a whole.
LIMGC rehearsing at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church. Photo courtesy of Danny Schrafel
Christian Cederstrom, chorus treasurer and member of the baritone section, joined the group around eight or nine years ago. “This group is so special because it really is the culmination of a brotherhood coming together to create something beautiful. The people are here for that shared mission,” he said.
“You never know what someone’s life is like,” he added. “Being able to retreat into a safe space, especially a queer safe space, makes it all the more lifesaving. It’s a means of survival for some people, and even having that one or two hours a week where they can just be is so important. The climate out in the world is so dog eat dog, but here it’s about creation and beauty.”
Michael Conley, a tenor 1 and founding member of the LIGMC over 17 years ago, said the chorus holds a lot of value as an LGBT+ space on Long Island. “We’re in the shadow of New York City. And yes, we have Fire Island, we have the village, but Long Island is a conservative place. So it’s nice to have these spaces where we can come together. And then by practicing and having something really special, we’re able to go out and share it with others.”
Practices are led this year by Jeanette Cooper, artistic director and accompanist of the LIGMC. Cooper will also lead the chorus through its concert series, as she has for the past few years. She is looking forward to an exciting season, the first half of which is themed after the joy of singing and the second half around Christmas.
She is glad to return for another series after a break following the chorus’ summer series. Of all her hats to culminate a season, Cooper said she enjoys working directly with the members of the chorus most. “My favorite part of them is them. Because they are a group of wonderful men. No matter who joins us, they seem to fit right in. They are a delight, they are the reason I come back every week.”
The partnership with St. Paul’s has been ongoing for four years, and members of both the church and chorus have celebrated its success. Cederstrom said, “I’ve been very thankful to be housed by different churches in the community who have been really affirming to the queer community. St. Paul’s of East Northport has been very supportive of our mission here, and I’m very thankful that we are able to have a safe queer space to create music.”
Cederstrom’s father, Bob Cederstrom, has served as an associate pastor at St. Paul’s for 18 years. He said it has been a blessing to house the chorus over the last few years. “This is a very generous congregation, who opened their doors and welcomed [the chorus], and they’ve been here now for four years. They’re a blessing to have here. And we’re blessed to have them.”
For the elder Cederstrom, welcoming the Long Island Gay Men’s Chorus is simply following his faith. “Jesus welcomed everybody. He didn’t say ‘but’ or ‘if’ or ‘maybe.’ Everybody is welcome. … This is a wonderful, inviting congregation here.”
The group will continue practicing weekly at St. Paul’s. Rehearsals will lead up to the Sunday, Oct. 27, afternoon fall cabaret and concerts in December.
Interested singers can follow LIGMC on Instagram and Facebook or email LIGMC’s board of directors at [email protected]for more information.
The Long Island Gay Men’s Chorus has announced the start of rehearsals for its Holiday 2024 concert series.
Weekly rehearsals begin at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 4 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 120 Vernon Valley Road in East Northport, leading up to a Sunday, Oct. 27 afternoon fall cabaret and concerts on Sunday, Dec. 8, Friday, Dec. 13 and Saturday, Dec. 14.
Whether you come from community theater or karaoke or somewhere in between, there’s a place for you in LIGMC welcomes all who can commit to weekly rehearsals, learning the music, and having fun as we put on a great show with some wonderful folks.
Interested singers can follow LIGMC on Instagram and Facebook or contact LIGMC’s board of directors at [email protected] with for more info.
Gather ‘round the fire with the Long Island Gay Men’s Chorus (LIGMC) this holiday season for “A Visit from St. Nick and a Rockin’ Holiday!”
During concerts set for 8 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 10 at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship at Stony Brook, 380 Nicolls Road, East Setauket, and 7 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 11 at St. John’s Episcopal Church, 12 Prospect St., Huntington, LIGMC will be serving yuletide storytime realness as it presents a wide-spanning musical revue of favorites and a fabulous glitter-flecked musical retelling of “Twas the Night Before Christmas.”
“Since September, this merry band of choristers has been making our lists and checking them twice as we prepare to bring you a musical celebration of the most wonderful time of the year,” Bradley Meek, President of the LIGMC Board of Directors, said. “We hope that you’ll be able to join us for the concerts that we crafted with the hopeful, joyous and sparkling spirit of the season in mind.”
It’s been a busy season for LIGMC, which will celebrate its 15th anniversary this spring. On Saturday, Nov. 5, LIGMC commemorated the 100th anniversary of LGBTQ icon Judy Garland’s birth with its “Over the Rainbow – Songs of Pride, Rainbows and Judy Garland” cabaret at the Sayville VFW Post 433. Following the conclusion of its concert series, LIGMC members are set to have a Manhattan encore on Tuesday, Dec. 13 when they are scheduled to perform selections from the concert at the InterContinental New York Barclay hotel.
“Not only is it always a joy to work with such an enthusiastic and committed group of singers, it’s especially rewarding to see our Chorus has continued to grow larger and stronger since we began performing again last winter,” LIGMC Artistic Director Jeanette Cooper said. “If you’ve never seen LIGMC perform, ‘A Visit from St. Nick and a Rockin’ Holiday’ is a great time to experience the eclectic and jubilant spirit that makes this group so special!”
The Long Island Gay Men’s Chorus is a voluntary, not-for-profit, community-based organization that provides diverse audiences with high-quality choral performances and musical experiences. LIGMC uses music to unite the LGBTQ community, fight prejudice and discrimination, affirm the contributions of the LGBTQ community to the region’s cultural life.
The Long Island Gay Men’s Chorus (LIGMC) is celebrating Pride with a musical road trip – and you’re all invited to join them in traveling to “Destination – Anywhere!”
Featuring the works of Stephen Sondheim, Walt Whitman, John Denver, Peter Allen, Johnny Cash, Frank Sinatra and more, LIGMC’s “Destination – Anywhere!” concerts are set for 8 p.m. on Friday, June 10 at Saint Francis Episcopal Church, 1692 Bellmore Ave., North Bellmore; 8 p.m. on Saturday, June 11 at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship at Stony Brook, 380 Nicolls Road, Setauket/E. Setauket; and 7 p.m. on Sunday, June 12 at St. John’s Episcopal Church, 12 Prospect St., Huntington.
“LIGMC began our journey to ‘Destination – Anywhere!’ all the way back in the winter of 2020, so we are thrilled that our audience will at long last join us on this wonderful musical trip,” Bradley Meek, President of the LIGMC Board of Directors, said. “I am so proud of the hard work and dedication that LIGMC’s 17 members are dedicating to making this a concert season to remember and cherish.”
Upon its completion, the full trip will have included several musical pitstops. On April 2, LIGMC ventured into the wonderful world of drag at its sold-out “Broadway’s a Drag!” cabaret at Sayville VFW Post 433. On Saturday, June 4, LIGMC will be previewing selections from “Destination – Anywhere” at Huntington’s Cinema Arts Centre as part of the Long Island Gay & Lesbian Film Festival’s arts pride event. And, after the season is complete, LIGMC is scheduled to sing the national anthem for the Long Island Ducks on Friday, July 22.
“It is always a joy to work with this dedicated, enthusiastic – and growing! – group of singers,” LIGMC Artistic Director Jeanette Cooper said. “Filled with musical twists and turns, ‘Destination – Anywhere’ is bound to have something for everyone. We hope to see you at an upcoming performance and look forward to celebrating Pride with you!”
Tickets are $25 and are available for purchase at the door or online at www.ligmc.org.
About the Long Island Gay Men’s Chorus (LIGMC)
The Long Island Gay Men’s Chorus is a voluntary, not-for-profit, community-based organization that provides diverse audiences with high-quality choral performances and musical experiences. LIGMC uses music to unite the LGBTQ community, fight prejudice and discrimination, affirm the contributions of the LGBTQ community to the region’s cultural life.
There’s nothing like a holiday TV special for unforgettable songs and memories – and the Long Island Gay Men’s Chorus (LIGMC) is celebrating the season by dusting off the songbook for concerts brimming with yuletide classics.
Featuring legendary musical favorites from “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” “Mr. Magoo’s Christmas Carol,” “How the Grinch Stole Christmas!” and more, LIGMC’s “Home for the Holiday Special” concerts are scheduled for 8 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 10 at Saint Francis Episcopal Church, 1692 Bellmore Ave., North Bellmore, and 7 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 12 at St. John’s Episcopal Church, 12 Prospect St., Huntington. Tickets are $25 and are available for purchase at the door or online at www.ligmc.org.
“There’s no getting around the fact that the last few years have been very challenging for so many people. However, such during turbulent times, traditions have been a source of great comfort,” Bradley Meek, President of the LIGMC Board of Directors, said. “That is why the iconic holiday specials we’ve enjoyed throughout the years resonated so deeply with our members and provided the spark of inspiration for choosing the songs we look forward to performing.”
The 16-member LIGMC returned to the concert stage on Oct. 23 with the standing-room-only “Be Our Guest! A Magical Disney Cabaret” at Sayville VFW Post 433, marking the group’s first live performance since February 2020. LIGMC will continue to observe Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines for indoor gatherings during performances.
“Since resuming our rehearsals in September, it has been an absolute joy to work with such a dedicated and enthusiastic group of returning members and new singers,” LIGMC Artistic Director Jeanette Cooper said. “We hope you’ll be able to join us and ‘tune in’ for what promises to be a very special series of performances!”
The Long Island Gay Men’s Chorus invites you and your friends to join them in their first rehearsal of the season at the H. Lee Dennison Building, 100 Veterans Memorial Highway, Hauppauge on Wednesday, Jan. 29 from 7 to 9 p.m. No formal audition required. Unite with them in song and friendship. For more information, visit www.LIGMC.org.
“The joy of singing is what brings these men together season after season, and the camaraderie and musicianship that grows from this bond is certainly something to celebrate!” said LIGMC Artistic Director and Accompanist Jeanette Cooper. “As showtime draws closer, I just know that the hard work of every single one of our choristers is going to give you something to remember and cherish.”
Featuring legendary musical favorites from “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” “Mr. Magoo’s Christmas Carol,” “How the Grinch Stole Christmas!” and more, LIGMC’s “Home for the Holiday Special” concerts are scheduled for 8 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 10 at Saint Francis Episcopal Church, 1692 Bellmore Ave., North Bellmore, and 7 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 12 at St. John’s Episcopal Church, 12 Prospect St., Huntington. Tickets are $25 and are available for purchase at the door or online at 
