With the future of LGBTQ+ rights uncertain, a Tucson singing group remains steadfast in its commitment to provide a safe and inclusive space for all community members.

Reveille Men’s Chorus is a nonprofit that hopes to change lives through music via community outreach, volunteer work, and musical productions.

The chorus was formed in 1995 and has been growing ever since. It promotes acceptance of LGBTQ+ individuals in a larger context and human rights, diversity, and a world free from AIDS.

Even as the Arizona legislature continues to advance anti-LGBTQ bills each year, Reveille finds time to celebrate with the community and spread some holiday cheer.

The group is holding its 30th annual Holiday Spectacular show at the Temple of Music and Art Saturday and Sunday, with tickets available to purchase online or at the door.

Keith Koster, a member since 2013 and the group’s artistic director since 2020, said Reveille is a tight-knit group and despite its name, is a safe and welcoming space for people of all gender identities.

Koster grew up surrounded by music. His dad sang in the choir at their church and inspired Koster to start singing and playing instruments. In the 1990s, Koster moved from Michigan to Tucson and taught musical theater to high school and middle school students for the next 17 years. 

“In the Amphi middle school district, I created and developed the musical theater program. They didn't have one prior to my being there, and we did a musical every semester for 15 years,” he said. “I'm still in touch with several of those students.”

Koster was appointed artistic director of the chorus during COVID, when auditions and rehearsals took place over Zoom. 

Auditioning for the group is not a traditional musical theater audition. Potential members just need to participate in a “voice check” to match pitch so the group can determine their range.

The typical time commitment for the group is three hours a week and members are expected to practice at home one hour each day. However, during show week the commitment is more demanding with dress rehearsals and tech rehearsals. 

“It doesn't matter who you are, where you come from,” Koster said. “As long as you can sing the part and you can match pitch, you're more than welcome to be part of the group.”

Over time the group has even added some women to the chorus.

It all started when a dedicated audience member who had been attending the group’s concerts for years wanted to join the group, but happened to be a woman.

Reveille welcomed her, and she’s now been singing with the group for five years. 

Most of the chorus performances are in Tucson, but they’ve also performed at other locations across the U.S.

Last summer they participated in the GALA Choral Festival in Minneapolis with 125 groups from all over the world. They performed a piece that was specifically commissioned for their performance by Spanish composer Julio Morales. Morales based the piece on poetry from the Spanish Poet Federico Garcia Borca. 

“It was just pure magic and the audience just ate it up. The feedback we received from them was just fantastic,” Koster said.

The chorus is more than just a place for members to gather and sing, and many friendships have formed over the years. Ever since the pandemic, some members still meet on Zoom every Sunday for a “happy hour catch-up.”  

“I know they would do anything for me, and the same thing, I would do anything for them,” Koster said. “Everyone is just a beautiful soul.” 

Two years ago, the chorus polled some audience and senior group members, asking them what their favorite songs were. This weekend’s show will include many of those songs, as well as some new additions, including “Carol of the Bells,” “Santa Baby,” and Meghan Trainor’s “Holidays.” 

“We just love singing for people,” Koster said.

Abbie Andrus is a journalism major at the University of Arizona and Tucson Spotlight intern. Contact her at asandrus@arizona.edu.

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