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©2026 Classical California

Pride Parade in San Francisco

articles / Community

Glitter and Be Golden: A Classical Celebration of Pride

Photo by Max Whittaker/Getty Images

CommunitySummerLGBTQ

Join Classical California's Maggie Clennon Reberg for Glitter and Be Golden—a celebration of LGBTQ+ voices in classical music. Discover how composers infused their music with the beauty, tension, and joy of living authentically.

Pride Parade 2018

Pride Parade in 2018, Pride spelled out in Balloon Letters

Photo by Toni Reed on Unsplash

Throughout history, many composers and performers have drawn upon their personal journeys to create music that continues to enrich our lives. This program highlights artists like Michael Abels, Sara Davis Buechner, Julius Eastman, Caroline Shaw, and more.

Act 1

Francis Poulenc: Concert champêtre: Andante – Aimee Van de Wiele, harpsichord – Paris Conservatory Orchestra, Pierre Dervaux

Caroline Shaw: To the Hands: Her Beacon-Hand Beckons – The Crossing, chorus, International Contemporary Ensemble, Donald Nally

Ethel Smyth: Serenade in D: Scherzo – BBC Philharmonic, Odaline de la Martinez

Peter Tchaikovsky: Romeo and Juliet Fantasy-Overture – San Francisco Symphony, Michael Tilson Thomas

Aaron Copland: Fanfare for the Common Man – New York Philharmonic, Leonard Bernstein

Act 2

Samuel Barber: Vanessa: Intermezzo – Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, Dmitri Mitropoulos

Dana Suesse: The Cocktail Suite: Bacardi – Sara Davis Buechner, piano

Omar Thomas: Mother of a Revolution – University of Kansas Wind Ensemble

Jennifer Higdon: Amazing Grace – Serafin Quartet

Jennifer Higdon: Deep In The Night – New York Concert Singers, Judith Clurman

Jean-Baptiste Lully: Village Wedding – London Oboe Band, Paul Goodwin

Camille Saint-Saëns: Piano Concerto No. 2 in G minor, Op. 22: II – Jean-Yves Thibaudet, piano, L'Orchestre de la Suisse Romande

Julius Eastman: Femenine: No. 5, All Changing – Wild Up, Christopher Rountree

Craig Hella Johnson: All of Us – Conspirare, Craig Hella Johnson

Leonard Bernstein: Candide: Make Our Garden Grow – June Anderson, soprano; Della Jones, contralto; Christa Ludwig, contralto; et al – London Symphony Orchestra, Leonard Bernstein

CommunitySummerLGBTQ
Published on 06.23.2025

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