FAQs

When are your performances?

The chorus presents two or three major concerts a year, including a holiday concert, a cabaret (odd years), and a Spring concert. Their primary performance venue is the beautiful sanctuary at First Baptist Church Decatur, and cabaret shows are presented at various venues in the Atlanta area. Please check our upcoming events schedule for a complete list of events.

OurSong regularly receives requests to perform at special events in and around the Atlanta area and beyond. Past appearances include performances at Atlanta Pride, Atlanta PFLAG, State Farm Arena, Spivey Hall at Clayton State,  Oakhurst Baptist Church, Oakhurst Presbyterian Church, Decatur First United Methodist Church, First Baptist Church Decatur, Saint Mark United Methodist Church, Unitarian Universalists, Waldorf School, and at special everts including Pride Festival Kick-off, Pride AIDS vigil, World AIDS Day, Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, Georgia Power, and many other organizational meetings.

While the chorus’s performances are focused on Georgia and the Atlanta area where primary audience and supporters reside, OurSong regularly has performed at the GALA Choruses Music Festival held every four years, most recently in Denver, Miami and Montreal. They have toured Europe and performed at the Legato Choirs Various Voices Choral Music Festival held in Dublin and Munich, also performing in Cork, Berlin and Prague.  OurSong is scheduled to perform in Milan and Bologna in June of 2023.

How do I get tickets for your concerts?

Tickets may be purchased on our tickets page, from any chorus member, or at the door for some of our events. We offer specially priced tickets for seniors (60+), and discounts for students and children (10 and under). Some of our performances have limited seating, so advanced purchase is recommended.

Do you accept donations?

The chorus is a 501(c)(3) non-profit arts organization, so your donation is tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.  Donations can be in-kind or monetary.  Check out our Donate page for more information.

Will the Chorus sing for me or my organization?

Sure! The chorus is open to invitations to sing for audiences around the world. As a volunteer chorus our available performance time is limited and our calendar fills up quickly each year.

For information on booking the chorus or ensemble, please send us an email.

How do I join as a singing member?

Auditions are generally held two or three times a year, and require a short solo song chosen by the singer, sight reading, part-reading, tonal memory, and vocalization. Solos should show the singers ability to sing musically, with good technique, and beauty.  We are looking for individuals who can blend in the chorus but there are also opportunities to perform solos.

Singers are not required to have mastered sight reading, but they must be able to understand basic notation (a quarter note, a rest, dynamic markings, etc.) and be able to approximate pitch relative to the note on the page, i.e. if the note goes up, so does the pitch.  Assessment is based on the overall musicianship.  We realize that every singer has strengths and weaknesses and we try to provide an opportunity for each singer to show her/his strengths.

If you are interested in auditioning, send an email to audition@oursongatlanta.org.

What are the time commitments and is there an attendance policy?

We expect all members to attend the weekly full chorus rehearsal on Tuesday evenings and to attend sectional or small ensemble rehearsals as determined by the artistic staff. However, we realize that conflicts and other commitments will arise.  If you miss more than 80% of the rehearsals for a particular concert, you may not be allowed to perform for that concert and may need to re-audition for the chorus.

Are there opportunities to sing in a small ensemble or solos?

Absolutely. There are opportunities for solos and small group numbers at almost every OurSong concert. Singers generally notify the artistic staff of their desire to sing in a small ensemble or solo piece and the artistic staff makes its own independent determination regarding the suitability of a particular singer for a particular piece.  Additionally, during Cabaret performances, there are a number of opportunities for solo and small ensemble pieces.

The artistic staff is open to input from members of OurSong regarding future musical selections.  If you have a piece arranged for SATB chorus that you feel would be especially appropriate for chorus to perform, please notify any member of the artistic staff.

OurSong has performed new, original compositions and arrangements by members of the LGBTQ+ communities.  The directors are always open to reviewing unsolicited original material.

What are the financial obligations for a singing member?

Dues are paid following the start of each concert rehearsal season (there are generally two or three).  Currently, the dues are $85-$100 per concert.  Financial aid is available.  Members may apply for a payment plan, partial or full scholarships.  In addition, the chorus usually takes a “Fall Retreat” weekend in the mountains of North Georgia.  The cost for this event is generally approximately $200. Limited scholarships are available to chorus members in good standing.

Other costs: For formal concerts we wear formal all-black attire.  Historically, men wore tuxedos and women wore formal all-black attire for the two formal concerts.  We also have embroidered OurSong dress shirts and t-shirts that are worn for less formal events.  There may be other small costuming or prop costs for each concert.  Travel costs for tours are also the responsibility of the singer.  Please see below for travel information.

Does OurSong travel?

Yes!  We love to travel. OurSong is a member of the Gay and Lesbian Association (GALA) of Choruses and have sung at four GALA Festivals: Montreal (2004), Miami (2008), and Denver (2012, 2016). We have also sung at the Various Voices Festival in Bologna (2023), Munich (2018) and Dublin (2014), and toured Italy, Germany, Czechia and Ireland as well. Local tours have included Alabama, Macon, and Augusta. Typically members are responsible for their own travel costs but there are usually fundraisers to help defray cost.