Disney PRIDE in Concert, Which Sets the LGBTQ Experience to the Music and Magic of Disney, Now Available on YouTube
Boston, MA, May 18, 2023— Boston Gay Men’s Chorus (BGMC) is proud to announce that songs from the world premiere of Disney PRIDE in Concert performed by BGMC’s 250-member chorus and a 25-piece orchestra last June at Boston Symphony Hall are now available for viewing on YouTube.
Disney PRIDE in Concert is a musical celebration of LGBTQ life, love, family, and perseverance set to sparkling new musical arrangements of songs from iconic Disney films like The Little Mermaid, The Lion King, and Mary Poppins; modern classics like Coco, Zootopia, and Wreck-It Ralph; and the magical music of Disney Parks. The show features 42 songs from the Disney songbook including standalone favorites “Go the Distance, “God Help the Outcasts,” “Reflection,” Remember Me,” “Let It Go,” and “Someday.”
The musical performance Disney PRIDE in Concert was produced in conjunction with Disney Concerts, the concert production and licensing division of Disney Music Group. The collaboration was the first time Disney Concerts had partnered with an organization to create an LGBTQ-specific concert package.
“The opportunity to make the thematic connections between the Disney canon and the LGBTQ experience explicit by infusing the music with the stories of our lives was a once in a lifetime experience and we are thrilled that our performance of Disney PRIDE in Concert is now available to a much wider audience,” said Reuben Reynolds, BGMC’s Music Director. “Disney movies and musicals have long resonated deeply in the LGBTQ community because they often mirror our experiences in a society that hasn’t always welcomed us. Characters are often struggling to fit in and to accept themselves, they long for a love that feels unattainable, they’ve lost their family of origin and had to create a new one, yet they persevere and find joy in life.”
“Disney songs have given solace and empowerment to generations of LGBTQ people and we’re incredibly proud of this historic collaboration. We are so excited to bring Disney PRIDE in Concert to YouTube where it can be seen by music lovers around the world,” said BGMC Executive Director Sarah Shoffner. “We are grateful to our donors whose contributions allow us to make our music available for free on YouTube.”
BGMC’s YouTube channel at @BGMC1982 has over 500 videos, 12,400 subscribers and is watched 1.5 million times per year. Closed captioning is provided on all videos thanks to a grant from Liberty Mutual Foundation.
The performance videos of Disney PRIDE in Concert were produced by Craig Coogan and directed and edited by Michael Willer. Disney PRIDE in Concert featured all-new musical arrangements by Chad Weirick and a book by Tom Choinski and the late Bill Casey, who was BGMC’s Executive Producer. The show is now available for licensing through Disney Concerts for performance by choruses around the world for all voice parts and voice configurations.
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About Disney Concerts
Disney Concerts is the concert production and licensing division of Disney Music Group, the music arm of The Walt Disney Company. Disney Concerts produces concerts and tours, and licenses Disney music and visual content to symphony orchestras and presenters on a worldwide basis. Disney Concerts’ concert packages include a variety of formats, such as “live to picture” film concerts and themed instrumental and vocal compilation concerts, and range from instrumental-only symphonic performances to multimedia productions featuring live vocalists and choir. Current titles include the Star Wars Film Concert Series (Episodes IV-VIII), Toy Story, Aladdin, The Muppet Christmas Carol, Disney Princess – The Concert, Coco, The Lion King, Up and The Nightmare Before Christmas, which in 2019 accounted for over 900 performances in many of the world’s top concert venues.
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About Boston Gay Men’s Chorus
The Boston Gay Men’s Chorus is one of New England’s largest and most successful community-based choruses. Founded in 1982, the 200-voice ensemble is celebrated for its outstanding musicianship, creative programming, and groundbreaking community outreach. Under the dynamic leadership of Music Director Reuben Reynolds, the BGMC sings a wide spectrum of classical and popular music and creates social change by providing a positive, affirming image of the gay and lesbian community. The Chorus is heard live by more than 10,000 people each season and thousands more through recording, television and internet broadcasts. CBS-WBZ named the Boston Gay Men’s Chorus one of the “top 5” choruses in the city of Boston. The Boston Business Journal in 2018, 2019, and 2020 named BGMC one of the top performing arts organizations in the city. BGMC is a Cultural Ambassador — being the first LGBTQ chorus to perform in Poland in 2005, the Middle East in 2015 and in South Africa in June 2018.