Making space for diverse voices
The Johannesburg Queer Chorus is a choir for greater Johannesburg’s LGBTQIA+ community and their friends. The chorus is open to people of all genders and sexual orientations who are looking for a choral community. In particular, JQC welcomes members who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, asexual and/or genderqueer. We are a choir that strives for excellence in our performance and musical communication. We endeavour to create a friendly and empowering fellowship for our community through the power and journey of song.
The JQC was founded by Thomas Coggin, Ruth Coggin, and Guy Trangos. Thomas and Guy lived in Boston, Massachusetts while studying for a few years. Thomas became a member of the Boston Gay Men’s Chorus and had an incredible time. Having always wanted to start a queer chorus in Johannesburg, Thomas felt more inspired than ever by his Boston experience.
When Thomas and Guy returned to Johannesburg in 2019, they imagined a similar chorus in Johannesburg. Thomas’s mother, Ruth, is an accomplished choral director, and she shared their vision of creating a choral space for the city’s queer community. Together, the three founded the Johannesburg Queer Chorus in early 2020. Rehearsals started in March 2020, and South Africa’s first COVID-19 lockdown was implemented within weeks.
Despite the challenges of the years that followed, the JQC expanded its membership, had special singing masks made and continued to sing. The JQC has grown from strength to strength and fostered a strong community. The dream of creating a chorus for Joburg’s LGBTQIA+ community who love singing was realised!
A ♯ organisation
The JQC was established as a non-profit organisation. We are guided by a Board of Directors and managed by a Member Committee. Both are comprised of volunteers who work to support our community in line with our constitution and various policies. We are an organisation founded on strong democratic and ethical principles.
Our musical director
JACQUES LE ROUX
He/Him
Jacques studied Opera and Musical Theatre (Cum Laude) at the Pretoria Technikon where he performed the role of Fenton in Die Lustigen Weiber von Windsor, the title role in Leonard Bernstein’s Candide and Finch in How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying.
As a professional actor, he was seen at the Pretoria State Theatre in productions such as Joseph and his Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Benjamin), The Wizard of Oz and The King and I. Other musicals include Showboat for Cape Town Opera in Malmo, Sweden, The Sound of Music (Ralph), Fiddler on The Roof (Fyedka), Aspects of Love and the South African Tour of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast.
He created the role of William in a musical version of Far from the Maddening Crowd at the Natal Playhouse.
As a cabaret artist, he shared the stage with Nataniel in Wax and was the lead singer in the Sun City Extravaganza Afro-Dizzia. Highlights as a stage actor include Lysander in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, the First Witch in Macbeth, Danceny in Les Liasons Dangerous, and Andy in Pieter Jacobs’ Dalliances. On television he was seen in Egoli, Sokhulu and Partners, Home Affairs and Sewende Laan.
After retiring from the professional stage in 2010, Jacques joined the Johannesburg Symphony Choir under Richard Cock and performed in such works as Bach’s St. Matthew Passion, Handel’s Messiah, Verdi’s Requiem and Orff’s Carmina Burana.
Jacques works as an agent for actors, singers and presenters and in his spare time teaches voice and studies towards a degree in Creative Writing.
He joined the Johannesburg Queer Chorus as a tenor in 2021 and is delighted to be conducting the choir from July 2023.
Our accompanist
EUGENE JOUBERT
He/Him
Eugene Joubert is our Accompanist. He obtained a Master’s degree from Rice University in Houston. In 2007 he made his debut at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, DC. Other international performances include Switzerland, Romania, the Czech Republic, Serbia, the US and Denmark. An avid performer of chamber music and lieder, Joubert has performed for various Sempre Opera – and Big Wig Opera productions. He is currently head of Piano Studies at St Mary’s School in Waverley.
Our Member Committee
Our Board of Directors