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# Classical Pride to raise funds for LGBTQ+ and sexual health charities on July 7
- URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/classical-pride-to-raise-funds-for-lgbtq-and-sexual-health-charities-on-july-7/
- Published: 2023-05-02T13:00:58.000Z
- Updated: 2023-05-02T13:11:18.000Z
- Description: Featuring the world-renowned City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, an LGTBQ+ community chorus and top international soloists, this concert – presented by the broadcaster and DJ Nick Grimshaw – will celebrate the profound contribution that the LGBTQ+ community makes to classical music.
- Author: Graham Robson
- Tags: Music, Barbican, Nick Grimshaw, Terrence Higgins Trust

Global specialist HIV company **ViiV Healthcare** has announced a partnership with *GAY TIMES* to bring a [classical concert to celebrate Pride](http://barbican.org.uk/whats-on/2023/event/classical-pride?ref=scenemag.co.uk) to **Barbican Centre**, London on **Friday, July 7**.

Conceived and curated by conductor **Oliver Zeffman**, and presented by broadcaster and DJ **Nick Grimshaw**, all funds raised at *Classical Pride* will go to LGBTQ+ and sexual health charities **Terrence Higgins Trust**, **GiveOut** (via Amplified) and **Rainbow Railroad**.

![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/fuunqi3wiaiqvco.jpg)

Queer composers have contributed enormously to the vast body of classical music we hear in our concert halls and opera houses. This concert will celebrate the diversity of the LGBTQ+ musical community, featuring performances from trailblazing classical stars including **Pavel Kolesnikov**, **Samson Tsoy**, **Davóne Tines**, **Nicky Spence** and **Ella Taylor**.

The **City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra** will be joined by an LGBTQ+ community choir, specially assembled for the occasion. Oliver Zeffman will lead them in works by **Tchaikovsky**, **Poulenc**, **Bernstein**, **Caroline Shaw** and a new commission from British composer **Julian Anderson**.

![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/1200px-cbso_symphony_hall-e1683022007499.jpg)

City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra

**Deborah Waterhouse**, CEO of ViiV Healthcare and Chair of **GSK**’s LGBT+ Council, said: **“**The arts have long played an important role in shining a light on the LGBTQ+ community and we’re proud to partner with Oliver Zeffman and *GAY TIMES* on this truly ground-breaking event.

“It’s so important that companies like ViiV and GSK continue to play their part in championing diversity, equity and inclusion and events like *Classical Pride* provide a fantastic platform to do so.”

**Oliver Zeffman** said: “I’m hugely excited to be conducting the very first orchestral classical Pride concert. There is still so much progress to be made with LGBTQ+ rights – at home and across the world – and a concert celebrating the community’s enormous contribution to classical music feels long overdue.”

**Josh Fletcher**, Executive Creative Director of *GAY TIMES*, said: “At *GAY TIMES*, championing and elevating LGBTQ+ artists from all disciplines has been at the forefront of both our online and experiential strategies. *Classical Pride* allows us to expand the genre’s presence across the community, ensuring we’re creating space for the community to celebrate Pride in a variety of ways.

![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/samson-tsoy-1-1024x575-1-e1683022175135.jpg)

Samson Tsoy

“Music will always have a unique ability to bring people together, and we look forward to seeing even more queer talent take to the stage for the UK’s first classical concert for Pride.”

*Classical Pride*, where ViiV Healthcare is the headline sponsor, is also supported by **MasterCard** and **Little Greene** with all proceeds from the concert going to LGBTQ+ and sexual health charities **Terrence Higgins Trust**, **GiveOut** (via Amplified) and **Rainbow Railroad**.