Reflections on the 2019 GALA Leadership Symposium

Several LGCSF members recently attended the annual GALA Leadership Symposium, held this year in Tucson, Arizona. Here reflecting on their experiences there are long-time bass section members Michael Lucero, chorus historian, and Dale Danley, treasurer.

---

Where do I begin with this?  It was a totally wonderful experience for me.  One aspect was having the chance to meet my peers one on one from many other choruses.  At the first social event I talked with five artistic directors about what we all had done most recently.  Also my experience singing with the Symposium Singers under the direction of Michael Hayden was amazing.  There were about 120 of us from different choruses and through four and half hours of rehearsal over two days we learned three pieces - one in Latin - which we sang at the final lunch on Sunday.  The music that was sung by the four Arizona choruses was beautiful.  I learned a lot at the five workshops that I attended, especially the one for GALA Festival liaisons and one called A New Harmony, Equity, Access, Belonging which came with a workbook for choruses to use and which I will be sharing with the chorus.  

Cheers, Michael Lucero

---

As a huge fan of the GALA Festival, I approached the GALA Symposium with some excitement and a bit of awe. I thought I would get a chance to see some amazing leaders showing off the inner workings of the GALA Choruses community. And that did happen during the three days of the Symposium in Tucson. I also workshopped with people from across the country facing challenges that seemed similar to those we have at LGCSF. I picked up excellent tips for raising more money from our top donors.

While meeting with us to discuss LGCSF's overall fundraising & communication strategy, a consultant for GALA told Michael, Robert and me that we need to "get to know what people's dreams are." That resonated with me.

The trip was also a chance to show my husband the city and state where I grew up! It was way overdue.

-Dale Danley