We are a non-auditioned community choir based in Auckland. Going strong since 1992. It was the first-established gay and lesbian choir in New Zealand and in 2017 celebrated 25 years.
We generally hold two concerts per year in June and November. We also participate at rainbow community events such as Auckland Pride month and World Aids Day. We are members of the New Zealand Choral Federation, and participate in combined choral events like "Singfest".
In 2019 GALS performed in Canberra at Australasia's "Out & Loud" choral festival - we had the honour of hosting this event in 2010 and 2016. Our most distant travels took us to Dublin in 2014, for the European "Various Voices" Festival. Members have also attended the 4-yearly American LGBTIQ, "GALA Choruses Festival"
Nicholas Forbes
Musical Director
Nicholas has been the Musical Director of GALS since 2016. A conductor, singer and organist, he is currently completing his honours degree in conducting at the University of Auckland. Nicholas grew up in Christchurch and was Sub-Organist of Christchurch Cathedral before moving to Auckland where he studied historic keyboard with James Tibbles and conducting with Dr. Karen Grylls. He has taught music at Rangitoto College and King’s College, where he conducted the award-winning choirs The Fundamentals and All The King’s Men. Nicholas is the Assistant Director of Music at the Cathedral of St. Patrick and St Joseph, Auckland, where he directs the Cathedral’s Vocal Ensemble, and is the Musical Director of Harbour Voices, a chamber choir based on Auckland's North Shore. A former member of the National Youth Choir, he sings in the national chamber choir, Voices New Zealand, and has been a participant in the Symphony Australia conductor development programme.
Josh Clark
Assistant Musical Director
Josh Clark is a singer, pianist, and conductor from Auckland. He graduated from University of Otago in 2011 with a Bachelor of Music majoring in classical performance for both piano and singing, and a Bachelor of Arts majoring in English and Linguistics. Josh has featured as an accompanist for NZ Opera, Manukau Performing Arts, Dolphin Theatre, The University of Auckland Chamber Choir, Opera Risqué,
New Zealand Secondary Students Choir and more. In late 2015, he was a Professional Teaching Fellow in Contemporary Voice at the University of Otago. In July 2016, he musically directed the professional New Zealand premiere of Pasek and Paul’s Edges. Josh now works in Auckland as a singing teacher, pianist and conductor. He is a co-director of Dilworth School’s renowned ‘Fortissimo’ choir, and has recently taken up a position teaching vocals and directing choirs at the Music and Audio Institute of New Zealand.