Reveille Men's Chorus

Our Mission: Changing Lives Through Music

Founded initially in 1995 in response to the AIDS crisis occurring in the United States, Reveille Men's Chorus has been a beacon of hope and resilience for the LGBTQ+ community of Southern Arizona, primarily Tucson and Pima County, for 31 years. Our mission is "Changing Lives through Music", and we work diligently towards this by producing high-quality choral performances to our audiences with messages about LGBTQ+ acceptance and inclusion. Reveille produces Winter and Spring mainstage concerts, integrating entertaining scripts with actors, focusing on the intersections of the lived experiences of LGBTQ+ people and topics such as immigration/citizenship, marriage equality, HIV/AIDS, parenting, mental health/suicidality, transphobia, racism, xenophobia, ablism, and coming out to family. We showcase the joy and incredible depth and history of LGBTQ+ culture through upbeat musical numbers, where we incorporate dancing (or "choralography", as we refer to it fondly) to "razzle dazzle" our audiences. Furthermore, Reveille has become a known leader across the LGBTQ+ choral movement for commissioning the creation of choral compositions by LGBTQ+ composers residing in North and South America.

Reveille is also part of a movement as a member of GALA Choruses (Gay and Lesbian Association of Choruses). GALA Choruses leads the North American LGBTQ choral movement, cultivating the artistic development of 12,000 singers from more than 190 choruses throughout North America. The 2024 GALA Choruses Festival gathered over 7,400 singers from 122 choruses in Minneapolis. Reveille attends the GALA Choruses Festival, occurring every 4 years, ensuring every singer with financial need are supported to attend through our "Joel Meister" Scholarship Fund.

Reveille plays a unique and meaningful role within the broader Southern Arizona community. As the region’s longest-running gay men’s chorus, we serve not only as a performing arts organization but also as a cultural anchor, a source of visibility, and a safe, affirming space for LGBTQ+ individuals and allies. Our work sits at the intersection of arts, community building, and social impact. For many, Reveille is not just lifesaving, but lifegiving.

LGBTQ+ voices are often underrepresented in mainstream arts programming. Reveille fills a vital gap by telling our stories through song and creating performances that celebrate queer history, joy, resilience, and belonging. We offer audiences artistic experiences they cannot find elsewhere in Southern Arizona, presenting concerts that blend high-quality musicianship with themes that reflect the lived experiences of LGBTQ+ people.

Reveille also fills a community-building gap. For many singers, our chorus is one of the only places where they can safely express themselves, connect with others, and find support. We provide a welcoming and inclusive environment for people across generations, backgrounds, and identities, helping reduce social isolation and strengthening the fabric of the LGBTQ+ community.

Beyond the LGBTQ+ community, our performances and outreach events help foster greater understanding across Southern Arizona. By partnering with local nonprofits, schools, civic organizations, and cultural institutions, we bring messages of inclusion and unity to diverse audiences throughout the region.

Reveille fills an artistic, cultural, and social gap in Southern Arizona. We offer representation where it is rare, build community where it is needed, and uses music as a catalyst for change across the entire region.