Barcelona Gay
men's chorus
Let's sing. Let's dance.
Barcelona Gay Men's Chorus, as the name suggests, is made up almost exclusively of gay men and offers high-quality musical productions, including a diverse range of songs and captivating staging. You don't need any previous experience to join, but we do expect commitment and a positive attitude.
As an independent, not-for-profit and self-funding organisation, BGMC continuously strengthens the vocal and artistic skills of its members, while producing accessible shows for the Deaf community and participating in charitable causes for society in general and the LGBTI+ community in particular.
OUR GOAL
VISIBILITY,
NORMALISATION
Inspired by a long-standing tradition of LGBTI+ choruses in English-speaking countries, BGMC strives to provide as many people from the gay community as possible with the chance to participate in a musical and cultural activity.
The chorus aims to shine a spotlight on homosexuality and normalise the LGBTI+ community through our concerts, which star openly gay men performing not only for members of our community, but for a wide-ranging, diverse audience.
Another of our goals is to gain recognition within the LGBTI+ community and beyond for offering high-quality artistic performances, both visually and vocally, and for our charitable and social contributions to the LGBTI+ and Deaf communities.
Finally, we are working to achieve and maintain a bright future for our chorus beyond the city of Barcelona, both within Spain and internationally.
Our values
1
COMMITMENT
Our members, regardless of their prior experience, are held to high standards of commitment and dedication to the choir and its high-value cultural activity, demonstrating camaraderie and team spirit under the friendly but rigorous guidance of our musical director.
4
SHOWMANSHIP
Our performances feature a modern and rich musical repertoire (musical theatre, pop, etc.) and captivating staging, presenting a well-rounded concept focused on artistic and musical excellence.
2
VISIBILITY
BGMC strives to give a voice to the gay community, and more broadly to the entire LGBTI+ rainbow, and to promote acceptance through its own activities and through alliances with other organisations.
3
ACCESSIBILITY
We incorporate Catalan Sign Language into our performances through our resident interpreter, Conxita, and the use of signs on stage to provide an accessible, high-quality experience for the Deaf community.
5
CHARITABILITY
As a choir, we contribute to society through altruistic collaborations and by donating part of our earnings to charitable causes of a social, psychological, medical or humanitarian nature that affect the LGBTI+ community or others.
In particular, we are committed to supporting the prevention and treatment of HIV and AIDS, communities at risk of social exclusion, children and respect for all LGBTI+ people.
A GREAT TEAM
OUR MUSICAL DIRECTOR
GERARD
IBÁÑEZ
Gerard Ibáñez earned a performing arts degree in musical theatre from Aules in Barcelona. He also studied lyrical and modern signing with the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM) and the Barcelona Municipal Conservatory, and choral conducting with the Catalan Federation of Choral Entities (FCEC). His many years of singing in choirs himself (Cor Jove de l'Orfeó Català, Cor Albada de l'Agrupació Cor Madrigal, Cor dels Països Catalans, amongst others) fostered his love of choral music and singing from an early age, both academically and experientially. He is now a performer, musical director, vocal coach and music arranger.
He has worked as a vocal coach on the TV show Oh Happy Day (TV3) and has been a guest music commentator on the TV programme Divendres (TV3). He has directed vocal ensembles such as Deudeveu (winner in season 1 of Oh Happy Day) and Sound Six, as well as various choirs in the Barcelona area, including Cor Jove de l'Orfeó Sarrianenc. He is also a choral teacher at the Artmúsic music school (approved by the Government of Catalonia) and Aules.
Last year Gerard directed and arranged the show Broadway A Capella at the Teatre Condal in Barcelona and Pop Rock Hits 2019, a participatory project made possible by the La Caixa Social Project Fund. He also delivered several master classes for the FCEC .
As a musical director, he has conducted performances in several European countries, including Austria , Portugal, Andorra, Germany and the Czech Republic. He has performed on many stages in Barcelona and the surrounding area, most notably at the Teatre Coliseum, the Theatre Kursaal and the Palau de la Música Catalana. He has also taken part in festivals such as the Grec, Cap Roig and Veus de Olot.
As an arranger, he has worked with a number of ensembles, including Coro Geriona, Sound Six, Deudeveu, Jarks and Quartet Mèlt, as well as with Oh Happy Day .
Gerard has received positive reviews for his modern adaptations of popular Catalan songs, folk songs and even many contemporary songs.
OUR SINGING SONGSTRESS
CONXITA
PARICIO
Conxita Paricio has been a sign language interpreter and teacher since the age of 15. She is fluent in Catalan Sign Language, Spanish Sign Language and International Sign, and is the only active interpreter from her generation. Conxita founded the Catalan Association of Sign Language Interpreters and Guide-Interpreters (ACILS) and its Spanish counterpart, and was the president of the former for 10 years.
A great fan of music, Conxita pioneered the use of song as a teaching method during her now more than 40 years in the classroom. It's no coincidence that she has interpreted concerts for stars the likes of Joan Manuel Serrat, Joaquín Sabina, Ana Belén, Pablo Alborán, Lluís Llach, Raimon, Pimpinela, Bertín Osborne, Dyango and Mone.
Fully committed to the Deaf community, Conxita has altruistically provided her services as a sign language interpreter at numerous events over the years, some of which are also tied to the LGBTI+ community, like Barcelona's Memorial Internacional de la Sida – Projecte dels Noms (International AIDS Memorial – The Names Project).
