OUR STORY
PRIDE CHOIR was born in early 2023 when Kim Crabtree and John David Whitener saw a need in Essex County for LGBTQIA+ folks to connect, belong, and build community—and what better way to do that than through music?
With love and intention, they partnered with OUT Montclair and Union Congregational Church to gather the support and resources needed to bring this vision to life. Recruitment began at the 2023 Montclair Pride Festival, where excitement quickly grew around the idea of a welcoming, non-traditional choir open to all members of the LGBTQIA+ community, regardless of musical experience, identity, or orientation. Our first rehearsal took place in September 2023 with about 30 singers, marking the beginning of what would become a deeply affirming and joyful space to build community through song.
In December 2023, more than 350 people joined us for our first concert—a night dedicated to honoring those we’ve lost and celebrating the world we continue to build together. It was clear from that moment that PRIDE CHOIR had something truly special to share with Montclair and the surrounding communities. By 2026, we’ve grown to over 50 active members and continue to sing to packed houses at our seasonal concerts.
PRIDE CHOIR continues to grow through shared talent, friendship, and purpose. We proudly support and strengthen the Essex County LGBTQIA+ community by showing up at local events—such as the annual Pride Flag Raising in Trenton and the AAPI Lantern Festival—and by collaborating with wonderful partners like The Pride Center of Montclair. PRIDE CHOIR is also a member of GALA Choruses, standing in harmony with LGBTQIA+ choirs around the world.
A MESSAGE FROM OUR PRODUCING DIRECTOR
“PRIDE CHOIR stands on the shoulders of the great legacy of Gay Men’s Choruses, which launched in San Francisco when I was three years old. Choruses that include members of the LGBTQ+ community have always served several crucial purposes, historically stemming from the need for safe assembly. Today, LGBTQ+ choruses fulfill an immediate community need to combat isolation, boost positive representaion, and cultivate a sense of belonging. A sense of belonging, while often undervalued, is as crucial as food. It is fundamental to our sense of self and our capacity to thrive.
The act of singing and performing, coupled with the supportive PRIDE CHOIR community week after week, empowers these singers and helps them build confidence and foster a sense of pride in their identity. For audience members, particularly those outside the LGBTQ+ community, seeing a diverse group of LGBTQ+ people performing with skill and passion can reinforce postitive representation as well as a counter-narrative, shattering stereotypes and humanizing those unfamiliar with gay, lesbian, bisexual, trans, and nonbinary people. For LGBTQ+ audience members, witnessing such a display of collective pride and stregth can be profoundly inspiring. For allies, it’s a powerful affirmation of their loved ones and friends.
Music is unique in its ability to bypass intellectual filters and go straight to an emotional place in the heart and mind. The collectice energy of a chorus, especially one singing with such purpose and conviction, under the strong direction of a telented musical director like we have, creates a palpable atmosphere that you can feel… I’ve seen PRIDE CHOIR perform full-length concerts and at events like AAPI’s Lantern Festival and these performances, which start in the comfortable atmosphere of entertainment, become transformative cultural events that build bridges, foster understanding, and contribute to a more inclusive society, one note at a time. And I am so proud of them.”
-KIM CRABTREE, JUNE 2025