Buffalo Gay Men’s Chorus invited to perform at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — The Buffalo Gay Men’s Chorus sang at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church after being canceled to perform at the Summer Choir Fest at St. Joseph Cathedral in Buffalo.

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The Buffalo Gay Men’s Chorus left many in the hall at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in awe.

“Amazing, absolutely awesome,” said attendee Matthew Hegel.

This group was also joined by other different choirs for the free concert titled “We All Sing with the Same Voice” to showcase their voices.

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“I think one of the great things about today’s performance is that they featured five unique and different choirs,” Matthew said. “I think there’s music for everyone to enjoy.”

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Artistic Director of the Buffalo Gay Men’s Chorus, Dr. Robert Strauss, told 7 News he is grateful his group has the opportunity to perform.

This all comes after the Catholic Diocese of Buffalo canceled the summer choral festival.

“At first it was heartbreaking. but I have to say within two hours of the announcement that this would no longer take place at the cathedral,” says Dr. Strauss. Holy Trinity went through its entire bureaucracy in two hours to say yes, we can do this. and we all volunteer and we do it no questions asked.”

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Other choir members appreciate the hospitality of Holy Trinity.

“Holy Trinity stepped in and invited us into her sanctuary. The Buffalo Gay Men Chorus is a friend of Holy Trinity,” says Tim Mahiques, singing member of the choir. “We have performed here several times over the past 23 years, so we are very grateful to the church for stepping up and allowing us to sing in this beautiful space.”

This event was also an opportunity for other choirs to shine and get along.

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“A lot of times these groups don’t have the opportunity to hear each other play and these groups don’t often have the opportunity to hear each other since they’re performing at the same time,” says Joe Spino, president of Greater Buffalo Friends of Music. “So we’re able to bring these groups together and allow a different audience to hear everyone. all these different genres and groups coming together in a festival atmosphere.