Singing Loud and Proud with Quorus

Singing with a chorus has always had a gendered flavor to it, with men singing low and women singing high. The Newport Quorus aims to create a welcoming space for various queer voices with their “queer chorus.”

The group started in 2023 after Melanie Saunders came up with the idea to find a way for queer people to come together on a regular basis. Saunders approached Elizabeth Woodhouse, the founder of Newport Sings, and through word-of-mouth Quorus was formed. It started small, with about 12 members and has grown to about 50.

“It keeps growing and growing,” said Woodhouse. “That, of course, validates that this is a program that is really needed; a safe and validating space.”