South Coast Chorale ends 35th season with Pride-month concert in Long Beach

South Coast Chorale will close its 35th season on June 20 in Long Beach with “Love, Poetry,” a Pride-month program centered on queer love, chosen family and connection. The concert will also mark the farewell performance of Artistic Director Dr. Lynn Atkins, with a new director set to be introduced. Why it matters: - South Coast Chorale is using its season finale to spotlight queer love and community during Pride month. - The concert also closes a milestone 35th season and marks a leadership transition for the Long Beach ensemble. - The program is designed to reinforce SCC’s role as a cultural home for LGBTQ+ singers and supporters. What happened: - South Coast Chorale will present “Love, Poetry” on Saturday, June 20 at 7:30 pm at First Congregational Church of Long Beach, 241 Cedar Avenue. - The performance is the final concert of SCC’s 35th anniversary season. - The concert is also the farewell performance of Artistic Director Dr. Lynn Atkins. - SCC will introduce the incoming Artistic Director for the 36th season during the event. - A 30-minute pre-concert panel begins at 6:30 pm. - Panelists will include Dr. Atkins, Stephanie Wade, a trans educator, activist and U.S. Marines veteran, and Viet Huong, an improv-based advisor and coach. The details: - The concert celebrates queer love, chosen family, friends who carry us and the stories that shape human connection. - The program features classical and contemporary choral works by LGBTQ+ and BIPOC composers and arrangers. - Dr. Atkins described the program as “a warm, expansive tapestry of connection and joy.” - Repertoire includes Elaine Hagenberg’s “By Night” and “O Love,” Rollo Dilworth’s “The Dream Keeper,” Colin Cossi’s “Finding Home Again,” Matthew Lyon Hazzard’s “Love Poetry,” Philip Silvey’s “Emily’s Creed” and John Rutter’s “Blow, Blow, Thou Winter Wind.” - Michael John Trotta’s multi-movement “For a Breath of Ecstasy” sits at the center of the program. - Trotta’s work sets seven poems by Sara Teasdale and explores love’s beauty, generosity, stillness and surrender. - Dr. Atkins said, “Poetry has always had the power to say what ordinary language cannot.” - Dr. Atkins added that the concert is “an invitation to practice love more liberally, more publicly, and more bravely.” - In a letter to patrons, Dr. Atkins said SCC is “more than an ensemble” and called it a community that creates a safe place for queer people to gather, raise their voices, be seen, be heard and belong. - Tony Almero-Stokes, board president of South Coast Chorale, said the concert shows why the chorus matters and described the program as music that refuses silence. - The performance runs about 90 minutes. - Tickets cost $35 plus fees and are available online at the Chorale’s website . - The venue is wheelchair accessible and offers accessible parking. - The box office is cashless and accepts credit and debit cards only. - Advance purchase is strongly recommended. - Support for the performance comes in part from The Arts Council for Long Beach, The City of Long Beach, The Port of Long Beach and the L.A. County Department of Arts and Culture. Between the lines: - The concert pairs artistic programming with a public conversation, signaling that SCC is framing the event as both a performance and a community statement. - The farewell for Dr. Atkins suggests the night will carry added emotional weight for long-time patrons and singers. - The mix of LGBTQ+ and BIPOC composers aligns the repertoire with the concert’s themes of inclusion, identity and belonging. What’s next: - SCC will move into its 36th season with a new Artistic Director. - The choir says it hopes to continue growing, welcoming new audiences and sustaining its work around love, justice and peace. - More information is available at South Coast Chorale .