London Gay Men's Chorus

What London Gay Men's Chorus does

The London Gay Men's Chorus is a UK-registered charity (No. 1092827) and private limited company (No. 4390145) founded in 1991, operating as Europe's largest gay male chorus with 300+ singing and non-singing members. The organisation produces two major ticketed shows per year at premier London venues (Cadogan Hall, Southbank Centre, Royal Albert Hall, Clapham Grand) and delivers 80+ performances annually spanning community Prides, school workshops, hospital ward performances, corporate events, weddings, awards ceremonies, and broadcast appearances. Revenue is generated through four streams: ticketed performance income, monthly member subscriptions (singing and non-singing 'Semitone' tiers with reduced rates for low-income members), donations and legacies, and grants from trusts and foundations. The organisation has a paid Hire Us service offering configurations from a 16-piece auditioned Ensemble (LGMCe) up to the full 200+ member chorus, with a corporate client base spanning law firms, banks, retailers, media companies, and charitable partners.

The Chorus's product surface extends beyond performances to include a Youth, Education and Outreach Programme (launched 2011, reaching 1,000+ London students), the Sing Out songwriting project for LGBT young people aged 13–19 (delivered with Mosaic LGBT Youth Centre and Wac Arts), and the Shame Chorus project (developed in association with the Freud Museum London). Distribution is primarily direct-to-consumer via the website and venue box offices, supplemented by community and Pride events, and grant-funded school engagement. Marketing relies on owned channels (website, Mailchimp newsletter, social media @LondonGMC), earned media (BBC, ITV, Financial Times, Evening Standard coverage), and word-of-mouth within a member and alumni network spanning thousands. The organisation maintains active international festival participation (GALA Choruses in the US, Various Voices across Europe) and high-profile artistic collaborations (Kylie Minogue, Elton John, Hannah Waddingham, Pet Shop Boys, Pet Shop Boys, King Charles III at GQ Men of the Year 2018), while running a Board of Trustees governance structure led by Chair Martin Brophy MBE and Executive Director Clare Cook.

Name

London Gay Men's Chorus

Legal name

London Gay Men's Chorus Ltd

Website

https://lgmc.org.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1991

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The London Gay Men's Chorus is a UK-registered charity founded in 1991 and Europe's largest gay male chorus, with 300+ members producing two major annual shows, 80+ performances per year, and education/outreach programmes for LGBT youth and schools.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Choral performance services

NAICS

Musical Groups and Artists (711130), Other Performing Arts Companies (711190)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Group Music Classes & Ensembles (Band, Orchestra, Choir) (EDAMANAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

LGBTQ+ Rights & Advocacy Organizations (BPAGAFAE)

Keywords

• Choral performance services
• Lgbtq community choir
• Live music entertainment
• Youth music education
• Corporate event hire

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Performance income: Revenue generated from ticketed concerts and performances, including two major annual shows and smaller events at major London venues. Additional income from hiring the full chorus or Ensemble for corporate events, weddings, civil partnerships, awards ceremonies, and broadcasts.
2. Membership subscriptions: Monthly subscription fees paid by singing and non-singing (Semitone) members to cover organisational running costs. Reduced subscriptions available for members on low incomes.
3. Donations and legacies: Voluntary donations from individuals, including text-to-donate (LGMC25 to 70070), MyDonate/BT Donate page, and legacy bequests. Fundraising events (bake sales, fitness classes, running group events) supplement donation income.
4. Grants: Grants from trusts and foundations supporting specific programmes, notably the Youth, Education and Outreach Programme (e.g., Derek Butler Trust grant, Sound Connections Innovate Fund, National Foundation for Youth Music, Arts Council England).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

London Gay Men's Chorus is a UK-registered charity that performs live choral music with a community of over 300 singing and non-singing members, delivering 80+ performances a year at major London venues, corporate events, weddings, and Pride/community events. Its core products are its own-produced ticketed concerts, hireable Ensemble and full-chorus performance services, and a youth education and outreach programme that delivers school workshops tackling homophobic bullying. Revenue comes from member subscriptions, ticket sales, performance hire fees, donations, legacies, and grants from trusts and foundations.

Product overview

London Gay Men's Chorus operates as a unified performing arts organization offering choral performances as its core product. The organization is structured around the main chorus (over 200 singing members performing two major shows annually), supported by the LGMC Ensemble (a 16-member subgroup for more intimate events), and complemented by outreach programs including the Youth Education Programme, Shame Chorus, and Sing Out Project. Membership options include both singing and non-singing (Semitones) roles. Additional services include performance hire for weddings, corporate events, and community gatherings.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Main Chorus Concerts Two major original shows per year (summer and winter) plus smaller concerts throughout the season, performed by the full 200+ member chorus at major London venues including Southbank Centre, Cadogan Hall, Royal Albert Hall, Clapham Grand, Roundhouse, and Alexandra Palace. Tickets sold directly to the public via the website and venue box offices.
• LGMC Ensemble (LGMCe) Performance Hire A 16-piece close-harmony sub-group available for hire at corporate events, product launches, weddings, civil partnerships, awards ceremonies, broadcasts, and bespoke performances. Quote-based pricing, configurable down to smaller line-ups from 8-10 singers, and bookable via [email protected]. Past clients include Herbert Smith Freehills, Societe Generale, NSPCC, GQ Men of the Year Awards, Anya Hindmarch, and Katherine Ryan.
• Full Chorus Performance Hire The complete 200+ member chorus available for hire at large-scale community events, Pride celebrations, corporate events, and bespoke performances. Quote-based pricing, contactable via [email protected].
• Youth, Education and Outreach Programme Musical workshops and assemblies delivered in primary and secondary schools across London to combat homophobic bullying through music and positive role models, reaching over 1,000 students. Led by qualified teachers from the Chorus's music team and delivered in partnership with Stonewall School Champions and Diversity Role Models. Funded by grants from the Derek Butler Trust, Sound Connections Innovate Fund, National Foundation for Youth Music, and Arts Council England.
• Sing Out Project A songwriting project for LGBT young people aged 13-19 in London, run in partnership with Mosaic LGBT Youth Centre. Young people created, recorded, and performed original music, with participants performing alongside the LGMC on 29 February 2016. Funded by Sound Connections Innovate Fund, National Foundation for Youth Music, and Arts Council England.
• Shame Chorus An uplifting music project created in collaboration with Jordan McKenzie, Susie Orbach, and Andy White, exploring shame and sexuality through original songs and choral works composed from psychoanalytic interviews with Chorus members. Developed in association with the Freud Museum London.

Quantifiable outcome

• More than 1,000 students impacted through school outreach workshops combating homophobic bullying.
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers19 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

43 partnerships are on record, tiered moderate, minor and core.

• Wac ArtsmoderateStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Joint LGBT+ Youth Singing & Songwriting Project held at Wac Arts for 5 Thursday evenings over June and July 2019, for young people aged 13–19. Culminated in a performance at the WAWA Weekender on 27 July.
• Kylie MinogueminorOthersCollaborated with Kylie Minogue on performance. One of several high-profile artist collaborations listed for the Chorus.
• Elton JohnminorOthersCollaborated with Elton John on performance. One of several high-profile artist collaborations listed for the Chorus.
• George MichaelminorOthersCollaborated with George Michael on performance.
• KD LangminorOthersCollaborated with KD Lang on performance.
• Mark RonsonminorOthersCollaborated with Mark Ronson on performance.
• Hannah WaddinghammoderateOthersLong-standing collaboration with actress and singer Hannah Waddingham, including joint performances at Cadogan Hall (UGotMale? Silver Jubilee show, 2016), and featured as special guest at LGMC 30th anniversary. Also performed at her Apple TV Christmas special 'Home for Christmas' at London Coliseum.
• Sandi ToksvigminorOthersCollaborated with Sandi Toksvig as host for 'A Winter's Tale' show (November 2023) at Cadogan Hall.
• King Charles IIIminorOthersCollaborated with (then) Prince Charles at the GQ Men of the Year Awards 2018, performing David Bowie's 'Starman' to welcome him to the stage.
• Pet Shop BoysminorOthersCollaborated with Pet Shop Boys on performance.
• Orion Symphony OrchestracoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated with Orion Symphony Orchestra (a full 21-piece string orchestra with harp) for 'History' show (2015) and Silver Jubilee concert (2016) at the Royal Festival Hall. The string section was also drawn from Orion Orchestra members.
• London Gay Big BandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated with London Gay Big Band for 'The Big Gay Swing' (December 2015) at the Roundhouse, combining chorus and big band for a festive swing show. Also collaborated at Silver Jubilee concert.
• New York City Gay Men's ChoruscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing international partnership. Joint sell-out show 'You Say Tomato' at the Southbank Centre's Queen Elizabeth Hall (2014) and 'I See Fire: Anthems for a New Era' at NYU Skirball Center in New York (2017). US tour collaboration spanning performances at British Consulate NYC, Madame Tussauds NYC, and Roosevelt University.
• Amsterdam Gay Men's ChoruscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint performance 'Together' at De Duif in Amsterdam and at the Rijksmuseum (January 2017). Reunion performance at Conway Hall in London (September 2025) marking the 2017 Amsterdam performance together.
• Chicago Gay Men's ChorusmoderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint concert 'Across the Universe' at Ganz Hall, Roosevelt University, Chicago (May 2017), with selections from both choruses' spring programmes.
• Brighton Gay Men's ChorusmoderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerPre-Pride collaboration concert in Hove (August 2015) as part of Silver Jubilee UK tour. Raised money for the Rainbow Fund.
• The Doodles (Czech Republic Gay Choir)moderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint performance at Nová scéna theatre for Prague Pride (2015), as part of Silver Jubilee international outreach.
• StonewallcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducation partnership: Chorus works with Stonewall School Champions programme to deliver workshops in schools preventing and tackling homophobic bullying. Also collaborated on 'It's my City Too!' project with Museum of London at Swanlea School (2013).
• Diversity Role ModelscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducation partnership delivering workshops in schools to prevent homophobic bullying using positive role models. Complementing the Chorus's music-based approach with direct youth engagement.
• Mosaic LGBT Youth CentrecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated on the Sing Out Project (2015–2016) — a songwriting project for LGBT young people aged 13–19, creating, recording and performing original music. Young people performed alongside the LGMC on 29th February 2016.
• Sing Out UKminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborating organisation for the LGBT+ Youth Singing & Songwriting Project alongside Wac Arts.
• Museum of LondonmoderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducation partnership delivering the 'It's my City Too!' project at Swanlea School (2013), teaching students about diversity and equality history in London.
• Micro Rainbow InternationalmoderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to support LGBT refugees and asylum seekers. Chorus funded 20 tickets for Micro Rainbow International members to attend 'Big Gay Swing!' (December 2015), and members of their choir have attended LGMC rehearsals.
• West London SynagoguemoderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnnual World AIDS Day concert performances at West London Synagogue (2013, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2022). Collaboration bridging faith and LGBT communities. Baroness Rabbi Julia Neuberger served as LGMC patron.
• Opening Doors LondonminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with charity supporting older LGBT people. Opening Doors London members attended matinee performance of 'The Big Gay Swing' (December 2015) followed by a talkback, and members have been invited to local meetings.
• Derek Butler TrustcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGrant funder that made possible the launch of the Youth, Education and Outreach Programme in 2011.
• Sound ConnectionscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvided the Sound Connections Innovate Fund that made the Sing Out Project possible, supporting LGBT youth songwriting programme.
• National Foundation for Youth MusicmoderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerFunder supporting the Sing Out Project, a music programme for LGBT young people.
• Arts Council EnglandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFunder supporting the Sing Out Project and broader outreach activities.
• Freud Museum LondonmoderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner institution for the Shame Chorus project, developed in association with the Freud Museum London, taking as its starting point Freud's 'talking cure'.
• Positive EastmoderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerHIV charity for which the Chorus performed to raise vital funds (St Giles-in-the-Field, August 2015). Ongoing community support relationship.
• Robert Grace TrustminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCharity supporting people living with HIV and their carers. Headlined fundraising concerts at Union Chapel (October 2015, October 2016) alongside Owl Parliament and Deep Throat Choir.
• Wotever World / Bar WoteverminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTrans and queer performance collective. Stage performance at Royal Vauxhall Tavern to support Bar Wotever (October 2015), a safe space fundraiser for Uganda's only LGBT sanctuary house.
• Southbank CentrecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegular venue partner for annual Chorus Festival in the Clore Ballroom, Silver Jubilee closing concert at the Royal Festival Hall, and annual performances at various Southbank venues.
• GALA ChorusescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational LGBT choral organisation. LGMC participated in GALA Festival tours to USA (Boston, San Jose, San Francisco 2000; New York, Chicago 2017), and Martin Brophy served as international Board Member and Co-President.
• Various Voices FestivalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEuropean LGBT choir festival. LGMC hosted the London festival at the Southbank Centre in 2009, performed at Dublin (2012), Prague (2015), Munich (2018), and scheduled for Brussels (2026).
• Hand-in-Hand FestivalmoderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerUK and Ireland LGBT choir festival. LGMC participated in Brighton (2015) and Manchester (2017) editions.
• Baker McKenziemoderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerCorporate law firm providing bespoke legal support for Chorus activities as part of the fundraising and business development strategy under the 2012–2017 chairmanship.
• Taylor WessingmoderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerLaw firm providing bespoke support for Chorus activities as part of the corporate support programme under the 2012–2017 chairmanship.
• Sing Out (Association of UK and Ireland LGBT Choirs)moderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-founded by Martin Brophy MBE as an association of UK and Ireland LGBT choirs, organising annual workshops and conferences in York, Norwich, and Dublin.
• Corey Baker Dance / Chris ScottmoderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerChoreography collaboration for 'The Big Gay Swing' (December 2015), developing the dance troupe element of the Chorus's 'choralography' productions.
• Terrence Higgins TrustcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOriginal beneficiary of the Chorus's founding carol singing at Angel Tube Station in 1991. Ongoing partnership including renewed collaboration for 30th anniversary. Performances for THT Fighting HIV Stigma Rally (Trafalgar Square, March 2023).
• 10 Downing StreetminorOthersPerformed at Downing Street celebration following the Marriage (Same Sex Couple) Bill passing (2013), and attended annual Pride reception.

Scale indicators14 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Chicago Gay Men's Chorus: One of the longest-established US LGBTQ+ choruses, with a comparable repertoire and touring profile. Direct peer — joint concert 'Across the Universe' at Ganz Hall, Roosevelt University, Chicago (May 2017) demonstrates active partnership.
• Brighton Gay Men's Chorus: UK-based LGBTQ+ male chorus and a domestic peer. Direct peer — pre-Pride collaboration concert in Hove (August 2015) as part of LGMC's Silver Jubilee UK tour, raising money for the Rainbow Fund.
• New York City Gay Men's Chorus: One of the largest and oldest LGBTQ+ choruses in the world, founded 1980. Direct peer in scale, mission, and choral format; LGMC has a long-standing partnership including joint shows at Southbank Centre's Queen Elizabeth Hall and NYU Skirball Center.
• Melbourne Gay and Lesbian Chorus: Australia's leading LGBTQ+ chorus, founded 1990. Direct peer in mission, scale, and choral format; relevant given LGMC's existing tour history at the Sydney Opera House.
• San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus: Founded 1978 as the first openly gay chorus in the world. Direct peer in LGBTQ+ choral performance, international touring, and advocacy-driven programming; comparable size and brand maturity.
• The Doodles (Prague Gay Choir): Czech Republic's LGBTQ+ choir and a continental peer. Direct peer — joint performance at Nová scéna theatre for Prague Pride (2015) as part of LGMC's Silver Jubilee international outreach.
• Amsterdam Gay Men's Chorus: Dutch LGBTQ+ male chorus and a key European peer. Direct peer — joint performance 'Together' at De Duif and the Rijksmuseum (January 2017) and reunion at Conway Hall (September 2025).

Others

• GALA Choruses: International network of LGBTQ+ choruses that LGMC has actively participated in through GALA Festival tours (USA). Functions as the industry's umbrella association and a co-marketing channel for LGMC's international activity.
• Various Voices Festival: Biennial European LGBT choral festival in which LGMC has been a key participant (London 2009, Dublin 2012, Prague 2015, Munich 2018, Brussels 2026). Functions as the European counterpart to GALA and a recurring commercial and reputational platform.

Broad incumbents

• London Symphony Chorus: Long-established London choral organization performing with the London Symphony Orchestra at the Barbican and other major UK venues. A broader incumbent in London's choral landscape — comparable venue footprint and audience type, but not LGBTQ+ mission-aligned.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/LdnGMC
• Facebookfacebook.com/LdnGMC

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about London Gay Men's Chorus