CALLING ALL
QUEER HEARTS.
WE'RE SINGING ON:
28 SEP
12 OCT
26 OCT
9 NOV
23 NOV
30 NOV
14 DEC
The QUEER HEARTS Choir is a new community that runs choir sessions in LGBTQI+ pubs, clubs and spaces. Choir session meets a queer social. The choir is non-auditioned, no ongoing commitment, no music scores - just show up, have a drink and sing.
Our next session is on the 28th of September at the fabulous Betty & Joan's in Elephant & Castle.
VENUE: 9 Hewson Wy, Elephant Park, London SE17 1JS
DATE: Every other Monday, starting on the 28th of September
TIME: 19:00
ACCESS: The space is wheelchair accessible.
VISION
QUEER HEARTS works in non-gendered harmony groups — out with the traditional sopranos, altos, tenors or basses.You choose your part based on confidence, not category: melody, harmony, or high.
Rehearsals happen every other Monday at Betty & Joan's Club.
QUEER HEARTS is open to absolutely everyone. Unless you’re homophobic or transphobic.
In which case, do keep as far away from us as possible.
LEADER
LUKE SAYDON is a multi award winning Musical Director. He's worked with over 15 community choirs of all ages and abilities. He provides a unique blend of MC’ing charm, choir technique and leadership that makes spaces like these inviting, pressureless and unapologetically queer.
The music of our arrangements is also beautifully crafted by Matteo Depares.
SONGS
QUEER HEARTS sing original arrangements spanning from pop, disco, rock, musical theatre all the way to the pride classics. Original music is arranged by Matteo Depares.
WHO CAN
JOIN?
However you identify and whoever you are, you are welcome. Queer, ally, or if you're still on a journey to discover who you are. We cannot be an inclusive space if we do not include absolutely everyone.
You are welcome as long as you bring love.
WE'RE ONE OF THE FEW QUEER CHOIRS WHERE YOU DON'T HAVE TO AUDITION OR READ MUSIC.
AS OPPOST TO POPULAR BELIEF,
NOT ALL GAYS HAVE A GRADE 5 IN MUSIC.
WHY?
SEE US IN ACTION
IT'S LIKE WHEN THEY PLAY "HIT ME BABY ONE MORE TIME" AND THE CLUB BELTS "GIVE ME A SIGGGGGNNNN...".
WE'RE THAT BUT IN TUNE.
AND WITHOUT THE HANGOVER THE NEXT DAY.
THE MOTHER OF THE HOUSE
Luke Saydon is a queer composer, musical director, and theatre maker who has been leading choirs across the UK for over a decade.
His work with choirs — including Some Voices, Wyllyotts Theatre, Find Your Voice, Sing for the Brain, dementia choirs, and young people’s choirs — centres the radical potential of people coming together to be heard, often by those who are marginalised, isolated, or have limited to the arts.
Alongside his extensive theatre-making practice with organisations such as BYMT, The Old Vic, the Museum of London, the British Library, Luke’s choral work is deeply rooted in queer community-building, creating spaces where vulnerability, joy, and political presence coexist. He is the founder of Saydon Studio, a queer theatre collective dedicated to making new musical theatre within communities, and the leader of Kor Kwir, Malta’s first queer choir. His catalogue of work reflect his ongoing commitment to queer visibility, solidarity, and activism through music.
CONDUCTOR?
.... I BARELY KNOW HER
WHY ARE WE DOING THIS?
Because we need queer hope more than ever. Trans and Non-Binary people face daily media moral panic, healthcare gatekeeping, and casual public scrutiny. Even within queer spaces, trans people often feel tolerated rather than centred.
Also because we need a fun queer choir that doesn't need to read music. Why do they assume we all did our Grade 5 music theory as part of our coming out?
So let's make a new space with no pressues. Let's sing and thrive.
A SAFE SPACE,
WITH A STRONG HARMONY LINE
KOR KWIR EuroPride Performance, Malta 2023
SESSION PHOTOS
KOR KWIR Sessions, Malta 2022
