Love to sing pop music? What about show tunes? Well, we have news for you! A Toronto queer choir is looking for new members for its upcoming season.

Toronto is known for being a haven for both the 2SLGBTQ+ community and the arts, so it should come as no surprise that the city has a plethora of queer-focused performing arts groups! This includes Tempo, a queer tenor bass choir that is currently hosting auditions for its third season.

Tempo was founded in 2023 to provide a welcoming space for singers in the tenor and bass ranges who love pop music, show tunes, and “creating beautiful harmonies.”

The group’s first showcase was a sold-out success, with an audience gathered at Hugh’s Room to hear the choir perform.

Founding member Howie Dayton shared that, unlike many traditional choirs, the group is focused “less on gender” and more on creating a queer space for people with different vocal ranges between bass and tenor.

“Like a tenor bass choir is typically male or male-identified, we wanted to create a space for queer members who are in the tenor bass range but don’t necessarily identify as male,” Dayton explained to Now Toronto on Thursday.

Dayton told Now Toronto that while there are many choirs in the city, many members of Tempo have shared that what they value most about the group is being able to connect with other queer people.

“We have a common interest in music but also in how we identify with our sexual orientation. That is sometimes really hard to find that community in the city, so that was the motivation around us being queer-focused,” Dayton explained.

The group takes pride in what they call “community philanthropy,” performing for community organizations that support the 2SLGBTQ+ community, including Casey House, Fife House, and The 519 Community Centre.

“We’ve been amplifying their events, their holiday parties, their Pride events. Even coming out to perform for their residents in hospice, or that sort of thing. That has been meaningful to the members, to feel like they’re giving back.”

The choir rehearses every Wednesday from 7:15-9:30 p.m. at The 519 community centre, located in The Village at Church and Wellesley streets. Rehearsals for the upcoming season will begin on Sept. 4.

This season, the choir is looking to grow to 50 members. Those interested in joining the choir can book an audition at tempochorus.com