Premiere of new work at ‘belonging’ concert on 28 May

The Brisbane Pride Choir will feature the premiere of a new composition, Mianjin Millen at its ‘belonging’ concert at the State Library’s Red Box on Saturday, 28 May. 
 
Melbourne composer Benjamin Leske will attend the premiere of his work. ‘I first observed the Brisbane Pride Choir in 2009 and enjoyed their passion and enthusiasm for both singing together and singing for a cause,’ said Leske, a former music director of shOUT Youth Chorus (previously the Melbourne Gay and Lesbian Youth Chorus) and Associate Music Director of the Melbourne Gay and Lesbian Chorus. ‘I was fortunate to work with the Brisbane group at choral workshops in 2015 and was delighted to be asked to compose this new work.’

Pictured: Ben Leske, Composer

‘Mianjin Millen celebrates the journeys of the Choir members and their wishes for the future,’ said Leske. ‘It captures small elements in Brisbane's LGBTI history - Dornoch Bridge and the Story Bridge Hotel, both places important in the fight for equality and it celebrates the unity of singing within a diverse community and the layers of identity.
 
‘I also wanted to give a sense of the Brisbane river as it winds its way through this beautiful city. The work honours the local Jagera people and Turrbal people and I appreciated the support by Yuggera elder, Uncle Des Sandy to use Yuggera words within the work.’
 
The ‘belonging’ concert on 28 May will begin at 6pm in the Red Box of the Queensland State Library.  The performance is held during National Reconciliation Week and forms part of the State Library’s year of activities around a central question: Who are we, what connects us to Queensland, and how do we belong?  The Choir will perform local and world songs about place and family and justice and belonging.
 
Tickets are on sale for $12 and can be purchased online at: brisbanepridechoir.org.au

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The Brisbane Pride Choir, established in 1998, is a non-auditioned group, open to gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered, intersex, queer and straight allies who love to sing. They rehearse each Tuesday evening at the New Farm Library meeting room, beginning at 7.30pm. Further information about the Choir can be found at brisbanepridechoir.org.au
 
The Choir’s commission, awarded to Benjamin Leske, was made possible through a Queensland Government Community Benefit Fund grant in 2015. Linguistic advice was generously provided by the State Library of Queensland’s expert, Mr Des Crump.
 
Background information on Benjamin Leske, including his previous compositions, can be found at www.benleskemusic.com
 
The poster design is by Jamie Waite.