Pauli Murray saw what was possible before the world caught up.

You may not know her name yet, 
But Pauli Murray shaped the world we live in:

Arrested for not sitting in a segregated seat--
fifteen years before Claudette Colvin and Rosa Parks.

Wrote the words that helped end segregation.

Challenged sexism before “intersectionality” had a name.

Lived boldly queer in a time of erasure.

And believed in justice--even when it broke her heart.
 

South Coast Chorale and Trans Chorus of Los Angeles bring Pauli Murray's story to life in powerful harmony. Join us as we sing her name — and carry her legacy forward.

"Sincerely Yours, Pauli Murray" is a multi-movement dramatic cantata commissioned by GALA Choruses--including South Coast Chorale and Trans Chorus of Los Angeles--that tells the life story of Pauli Murray, an American civil rights activist, lawyer, poet, and the first Black person perceived as female** to be ordained an Episcopal priest. The work, with a libretto by Kim Hines and music by Steve Milloy, uses Murray's own words to illuminate her work for racial and gender equality.

This performance is supported, in part, by The Port of Long Beach, The Arts Council for Long Beach, and The City of Long Beach.

**In her lifetime, only binary pronouns (He/She) were used as gender markers; while Pauli Murray used she/her pronouns, she may have identified as transgender and/or nonbinary if she were alive today.   
 

South Coast Chorale (SCC)

Founded in 1990, the South Coast Chorale is a community vocal ensemble comprised of individuals who simply enjoy singing and working together. Based in the LGBTQ+ community, SCC is proud to be a diverse ensemble that encompasses friends, families & supporters, all of whom are dedicated to building bridges between communities by using music to remind us all that we are more alike than different.

Over the years, SCC has filled a vital role in helping to enhance the cultural and educational life of greater Long Beach through partnerships with local community organizations. The Chorale recently commemorated the 25th anniversary of the Matthew Shepard events with a locally-composed choral oratorio titled “October Mourning”, presented in partnership with four other Long Beach arts organizations. In the Spring of 2023, the Chorale presented a concert focused on anti-bullying and acceptance. A musical presentation of the story “Oliver Button is a Sissy” was performed in partnership with a youth theater group and two other Long Beach arts organizations. Free educational performances were presented to nearly 1,600 Long Beach area elementary school students, in addition to public performances.

The Chorale has established a reputation of performances that are distinguished for their LGBTQ+ diversity and artistic excellence, receiving community nominations and recognition from local city and state leaders and organizations, as well as audience praise. From the West Coast premiere of a choral tribute to the life and accomplishments of openly gay civil rights activist Bayard Rustin, to the Southern California premiere of “Street Requiem” honoring those who have lived and died on the streets, the many talented singers that have graced the ranks of SCC have performed for thousands of audience members all over the US and Canada, spreading musical messages that resound with echoes of harmony and belonging.

SCC is sponsored in part by the California Arts Council, Los Angeles County Arts Commission, the Arts Council for Long Beach, The City and Port of Long Beach, and is a proud member of GALA Choruses.

Trans Chorus of Los Angeles (TCLA)

Trans Chorus of Los Angeles (TCLA) is the premiere all Trans-identified chorus in America.  In 2017, under the new leadership of Artistic Director, Abdullah “Abby” Hall and Executive Director, Dr. Kathryn Davis, TCLA has proudly represented the TGI community, performing for the inauguration of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris.  TCLA was the first group of trans-identified singers to perform our nation's National Anthem at the 2020 Democratic debates hosted and aired on CNN. 

TCLA has recorded and sung with artists Dua Saleh, JOSHUA, Mark and the Tiger, Wrable, Jasmine.4.t, MUNA, Phoenix Claea Rousiamanis, Jennifer Leitham, Mila Jam, Angelica Ross, Alex Newell, Maggie Szabo, Andy Grammer, G-Flip, Demi Lovato and Noah Cyrus. 

As a Chorus, we celebrate diversity and acceptance in physical appearance and vocal presentation so that others can see and feel the joy we share in being our authentic selves and through our music, changing the trans-narrative from victim to VICTORIOUS.