Unison Choruses Canada

Unison Choruses Canada is a national not-for-profit organization that serves as a central hub for Canadian 2SLGBTQIA+ choruses. Founded to support and connect queer choral communities, Unison facilitates collaboration, resource sharing, and advocacy among its member choruses across Canada. It provides assistance with administration, fundraising, and programming, helping to strengthen the operations and outreach of 2SLGBTQIA+ choral groups.

Mission and Activities

Unison Choruses Canada aims to create safe, affirming spaces within the choral community for 2SLGBTQIA+ singers and their allies. The organization advocates for broader acceptance and awareness of 2SLGBTQIA+ issues through the medium of choir singing and musical expression. By supporting these choruses administratively and artistically, Unison fosters community engagement and cultural celebration.

A key part of Unison’s work is facilitating connections and cooperation between member choruses, providing resources to assist with governance, fundraising campaigns, and concert programming.

Unison Festival

Unison Choruses Canada’s flagship event is the Unison Festival, a non-competitive national gathering of 2SLGBTQIA+ choruses from across the country. Held every four years in a different Canadian city, the festival celebrates queer choral music and community.

Past editions of the Unison Festival have taken place in cities such as:

• Edmonton (1998)
• Toronto (2002)
• Vancouver (2006)
• Winnipeg (2010)
• Ottawa (2014)
• Calgary (2018)
• Halifax (2023)

The upcoming festival is scheduled for May 18–21, 2026, in Vancouver, British Columbia. This event includes concert performances, workshops, and opportunities for collaboration among participating choruses and individual members.

Membership

Membership in Unison Choruses Canada is open to singers and staff of member choruses as well as individuals from the general community who support the organization’s mission. Membership fees are nominal, with an annual membership costing $5 and a four-year membership included with festival registration.

Legal Status and Registration

Unison Choruses Canada is registered as a charitable organization in Canada with the Business Number 823293808RR0001. It complies with the Canada Revenue Agency’s requirements for registered charities.

Significance

Unison Choruses Canada plays a vital role in supporting 2SLGBTQIA+ cultural expression and visibility through music. By nurturing a national network of queer choruses, it promotes diversity, inclusion, and social advocacy within the Canadian choral landscape.

This article is based on information available from Unison Choruses Canada’s official materials and charitable registrations.[1][2][3][4]

[1] http://www.unisonfestivalunisson.ca [2] https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/unison-unisson/ [3] https://www.unisonfestivalunisson.ca/index.php/membership-structure/?lang=en [4] https://www.charitydata.ca/charity/unison-choruses-canada/823293808RR0001/ [5] https://unisonfund.ca