Who We Are
Out Loud Chorus is the largest North American mixed chorus for the LGTBQ+ community, bringing together people of all genders and sexual orientations, including straight allies. We are a non-auditioned chorus, and don’t limit membership based on musical ability. We are committed to putting on musically excellent shows that are entertaining and fun for all while centering LGTBQ+ people.
Our rehearsals teach both the songs we will perform and vocal techniques to sing them well. Our only requirement to sing with the choir is that you are able to match pitch. We make mp3's of each part, so even people who don't read music can learn every note! There are also non-singing slots for people who want to support the chorus - there's fundraising, advertising, staging and lots more!
We love to make music and we love to have fun!
Out Loud Chorus was founded in October, 1995 by a group of dreamers as a mixed chorus for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender community of Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti, and surrounding areas. Open to all, Out Loud Chorus is Washtenaw County's only arts organization for the entire LGBTQ+ community.
Each season, we produce shows for the general public. These productions are typically held on Friday and Saturday in both mid-January and mid-June. ou'll hear great singing, four-part harmony, excellent rhythm, and people who love to sing!
We are associated with GALA Choruses (https://galachoruses.org/) and attend their festivals as often as we can. For more information, email us at OutLoudChorus@gmail.com.
Our Mission
Out Loud Chorus is a mixed chorus for the Lesbian, Bisexual, Gay, Transgender community, yet open to all. Out Loud provides continuing musical education and performance experience as well as a social outlet for persons interested in choral music and its production. Out Loud is fun and flexible, open to many levels of ability, and committed to embodying the diversity of our community. In addition, the chorus seeks to educate the general public about choral music and, through performances, to reduce bigotry and discrimination against our community.
Dusty Francis, Artistic Director
Conductor, composer, and bass-baritone Dusty Francis enjoys an active career as a performer, clinician, and educator across both the United States and the United Kingdom. He currently serves as Director of Music Ministries at First Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Ann Arbor and Artistic Director of Out Loud Chorus. Past roles have included musical leadership of the New York City Master Chorale, London's The Fourth Choir, and the Brooklyn-based Park Slope Singers, as well as teaching positions with the American School in London and the Collegiate School. Recent seasons have included performances at esteemed venues such as Shakespeare’s Globe, Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, and the Kennedy Center.
When not on the conducting podium, Francis has often been heard singing with some of America’s finest professional choral ensembles, including True Concord Voices & Orchestra, Skylark Vocal Ensemble, and the Manhattan Chorale. Recent solo engagements have spanned styles and periods ranging from Bach to Puccini and Schubert to Sondheim.
Francis holds a Master’s degree in Choral Conducting from the University of Maryland and a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Xavier University in Cincinnati. He is a member of the American Choral Directors Association, the International Conductors Guild, and the Association for Unitarian Universalist Music Ministries.
Casey Baker, Collaborative Pianist
Casey is a native of Flushing, Michigan, and currently serves as staff pianist at U-M Ann Arbor for the music theatre department. He works throughout Southeast Michigan as a music director for theatres like the Dio, Encore Theatre, Flint Repertory Theatre, and Penny Seats Theatre. He has spent nine summers as the assistant music director and music director for the music theatre program at the Interlochen Center for the Arts. He served as Ass. MD for an episode of the new Disney TV Series Encore! Other works include coaching The Light in the Piazza at Grand Valley State University, Rodrigo with L’Aurora Nuovo, Falstaff and Offenbach's Orphée aux enfers at the University of Illinois Lyric Theater, and a world premiere of Ross Crean’s Great God Pan with Chicago Fringe Opera. Casey studied with Robert Byrens and Helen Marlais at Grand Valley State University, Julie Gunn and Cynthia Hayman-Coleman at The University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana, and Scott Gilmore at the Chicago College of Performing Arts. While at CCPA he was an apprentice coach and pianist with Chicago Opera Theatre. Previous works include Cabildo, L'enfant et les sortilèges, CCPA; The Fairy Queen, Gianni Schicchi, Lucio Silla, Le Vin Herbé, The Perfect American, Chicago Opera Theatre.
Testimonials
"The Chorus’s work is indeed locally-developed and of high quality. It has enhanced our community’s cultural life since the Chorus came into being."
Jim Toy, Board Member,
Jim Toy Community Center & Washtenaw Rainbow Action Project
"Their concerts are always moving and the chorus continues to provide a safe and fun space for LGBT people to gather, find support, hear uplifting music, and enjoy the performance of the choir and the other artists that they pull together."
Kate Runyon, Former Executive Director
Triangle Foundation, Detroit MI
"Out Loud Chorus... provides an opportunity for members of the broader community to come together and enjoy the art and music of gay and lesbian composers, pop stars, lyricists, poets' work put to music, songs sung by gay and lesbian icons, etc."
Denise Brogan-Kator, Managing Attorney
Rainbow Law Center
"Thank you again for your help throughout this process and for the wonderful performance the Chorus gave last night! I know a lot of people really appreciate the value of the music you all brought, and I also appreciated the ways in which the folks in the Chrous engaged and spoke and held space with us. We would love to have you all involved in future events for sure, and again appreciate your partnership!"
Raivynn Smith, Pronouns: they | them | theirs, Program Specialist for Events & Partnerships
University of Michigan Spectrum Center,