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Orlando Gay Chorus collection, 1990-2018

 

Summary

Creator:
Orlando Gay Chorus
Abstract:
The Orlando Gay Chorus collection, 1990-2018, contains articles, awards, membership files, newspapers, photographs, posters, and programs pertaining to the Orlando Gay Chorus, a non-profit organization and one of the largest mixed LGBTQ choruses in the United States. There are also similar materials pertaining to the Gala Chorus, an organization the Orlando Gay Chorus is a member of. The collection also includes audio cassettes, books, CDs, ephemeras, maps, and pamphlets. The Orlando Gay Chorus was founded on February 14, 1990. As of 2023, the organization has over one hundred members. In addition to the full choruses, it has four ensembles that perform at annual events, cabarets, community, and pride events. The chorus also contributes to many humanitarian efforts. Each November, the Orlando Gay Chorus partners with the Children's Home Society of Florida to sponsor families in need for Thanksgiving Day meal baskets. US Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots is the longest campaign hosted by the Orlando Gay Chorus in Central Florida. The organization gifts toys and a monetary donation to the marines each year during their holiday concerts. Over time the chorus has received several awards, such as the Lifetime Achievement Award, for their thirty plus years of service. After a brief hiatus during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Orlando Gay Chorus resumed activities and continue to perform today.
Extent:
16.5 Linear Feet 14 boxes, 1 flat file, 1 rolled banner
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

Orlando Gay Chorus collection, Special Collections and University Archives, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida.

Background

Scope and content:

Photographs, 2001-2002, 2008, 2013 and undated, (Series I) contain photos of performances, group pictures, photos of their annual retreat, social gatherings, and behind the scenes

In–House Publications, 1990-1993,1996-1997, 2000-2008, (Series II) contain performances, informational news, and about their members

Performances, 1990-2018 and undated, (Series III) contain programs, flyers, posters, postcards, event calendars, scripts, and recordings (moving image and audio) of their performances. Some of the posters are specially signed by the members of the Chorus. There are books about the Gala Chorus, an organization the Orlando Gay Chorus is a member of, and about other chorus performances. There are a few Artfest newspapers of the Orlando Gay Chorus continuous performances for several years. There are also a few miscellaneous items such as a wedding performance and program notes.

Publicity, 1990-2015 and undated, (Series IV) contain events, printed online news articles, newspaper articles and magazines all pertaining to the Orlando Gay Chorus. There are also banners promoting both Orlando Gay Chorus and Gala Chorus.

Administration Files, 1990-2006 and undated, (Series V) contains membership information such as forms, rosters of both the Orlando Gay Chorus and Gala Chorus, policies and procedures. There are also documents of their meetings and budgets throughout the years as well as their annual retreat. There also contains cookbooks, Christmas cards, and other documents of fundraiser the Orlando Gay Chorus have done. Lastly there are also some miscellaneous items such as laminated pages printed red saying "We paint red for Marriage Equality."

Awards, 1991-2015 and undated, (Series VI) contain letters thanking ad recognizing their performances. There are also articles and programs about a particular award called the Spectrum award that they have won for several years. Also, there are several certificates and other awards that they have won. Some examples include; a Toys for Tots certificate and a Wave award. Lastly there is an award program stating all the awards that the Orlando Gay Chorus has won throughout the years.

Biographical / historical:

The Orlando Gay Chorus is a non-profit organization committed to creating a diverse community through the arts. Founded on February 14, 1990, the Orlando Gay Chorus remains one of the largest mixed LGBTQ choruses in the country. As of 2023, the organization has over one hundred members. In addition to the full choruses, it has four ensembles that perform at annual events, cabarets, and community and pride events. The chorus also contributes to many humanitarian efforts. Each November, the Orlando Gay Chorus partners with the Children's Home Society of Florida to sponsor families in need for Thanksgiving Day meal baskets. US Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots is the longest campaign hosted by the Orlando Gay Chorus in Central Florida. The organization gifts toys and a monetary donation to the marines each year during their holiday concerts. Over time the chorus has received several awards, such as a Lifetime Achievement Award by the LGBT+ Center in Orlando for their thirty plus years of service. After a brief hiatus during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Orlando Gay Chorus resumed activities and continue to perform today.

Acquisition information:
Gift of The LGBTQ History Museum of Central Florida, 2021 (Accession no. CFM2021_22).
Processing information:

Collection processed by Kat Reynolds and Elisabeth Jimenez in 2022. Finding aid prepared by Elisabeth Jimenez in 2023. Original folders replaced with acid-free folders and materials housed in acid-free boxes.

Arrangement:

This collection is arranged in six series.

  • I. Photographs, 2001-2002, 2008, 2013
  • II. In-House Publications, 1990-2008
  • III. Performances, 1990-2018
  • IV. Publicity, 1990-2015
  • V. Administration Files, 1990-2006
  • VI. Awards, 1996-2015

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

The entire collection is open for research except for the following:

  • Boxes 3-5: Fragile AV material. No access copies are currently available. For further information, please contact Special Collections & University Archives.

Terms of access:

Unpublished manuscripts are protected by copyright. Permission to publish, quote or reproduce must be secured from the repository and the copyright holder.

Preferred citation:

Orlando Gay Chorus collection, Special Collections and University Archives, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida.

Location of this collection:
John C. Hitt Library
12701 Pegasus Drive, Building 2
Orlando
FL
32816-8030
USA