THE CHOIR
GALS - Auckland's Rainbow Choir
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".
This year GALS performed in Canberra at Australasia's 2019 "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.
GIANCARLO LISI
Assistant Musical Director
Giancarlo joined GALS as Assistant Musical Director in January 2019. He is a talented opera singer who performs regularly with New Zealand Opera. He is an experienced secondary school teacher - currently teaching at Kristin College as the Curriculum Leader for Music.