Black Tulip Chorale

Black Tulip Chorale was established in 2018 as St. Louis' first LGBTQ+ all-expression, all-gender, ​all-identity, all-orientation mixed voice (SATB) choral organization. BTC's mission advocates for social consciousness through excellence in the performance of choral music while providing an affirming environment for all regardless of expression, gender, identity, or orientation. Within the first anniversary of its founding, it presented both Gabriel Faure's "Requiem" and Randall Thompson's "Frostiana", rarely performed in its entirety. BTC will present its fifth anniversary concert, "Shining Through", at 5 p.m., Sunday, May 21, 2023 at First Presbyterian Church of Kirkwood. The program honors important anniversaries in LGBTQ+ history including music by Felix Mendelssohn, David Dickau, Cyndi Lauper, Jerry Herman, Craig Hella Johnson, as well as the premiere of a new work "I'd Better Be a Seed" by Missouri artists - composer Ryan Main and poet Rye Lanae Booth. The grand finale of the performance will be Ralph Vaughan Williams' stunning "Serenade to Music" featuring soloists from the Chorale and members of the St. Louis Civic Orchestra.

The Black Tulip Chorale's moniker is inspired by an 1850 novel of the same name by Alexandre Dumas, père (1802-1870), best known for The Three Musketeers, The Man in the Iron Mask, and The Count of Monte Cristo. Set in the Dutch city of Haarlem, a prize of ƒ100,000 (approximately $7,500,000 in 2023 value) is to be awarded to the first person who cultivates a black tulip. The novel's hero is falsely imprisoned for high treason in the wake of political turmoil yet is able to secure his freedom from the gallows at the last possible second by achieving what no one had accomplished - the cultivation of a black tulip. In that light, BTC strives to create community and find justice in spite of overwhelming adversity in a time of great upheaval.

The Chorale has collaborated with many partners and organizations, including Emmy Award winner Christine Brewer, St. Louis Mayor Tishaura O. Jones, Missouri History Museum, St. Louis Art Museum, members of the St. Louis Civic Orchestra, members of the St. Louis Wind Symphony, and the choirs of St. Louis Community College - Meremac.

BTC welcomes all to participate. Please contact blacktulipchorale@gmail.com to schedule a vocal placement hearing or for more information.