Queer Urban Orchestra celebrates Pride Month with gala in NYC

CHELSEA, Manhattan (PIX11) -- In celebration of LGBTQ Pride Month, PIX11 is shining a spotlight on many of the creative organizations that celebrate gay pride in our neighborhoods.

The Queer Urban Orchestra celebrated Pride Month on Saturday with its annual gala, which was sold out at the Church of the Holy Apostles.

The all-volunteer orchestra is made up of mostly LGBTQ+ musicians playing music by many LGBTQ+ composers.

The orchestra, founded in 2009, is the only queer orchestra in the Northeast. It is all about camaraderie, love and acceptance.

“This is an organization of wonderful musicians who are dedicated to uplifting queerness in our community,” said David Bloom, the artistic director and conductor.

The orchestra’s president said they have grown so much in the last 14 years that they are looking for a new space.

“We started out with 30 musicians and now we have 150 musicians, and all our concerts are sold out,” David Lohman said.

On the program is a world premiere of a piece written by the associate conductor named "Doubtless Magick."

“This piece is about the cyclical nature of the universe,” composer Derek Weagle said. "And the essential thread to the entire universe."

There is a diversity of professions among the amateur musicians. There are lawyers, a dentist anesthesiologist, social workers and people who work for nonprofits who all share a passion and dedication to music and this chosen family.

“I can’t say it enough, this is my chosen family,” said Mason Pilevsky, a violist. “This is a group of people who don’t just play music together and go home, but we take care of each other."

For more information about the Queer Urban Orchestra, visit this website.