London Gay Men’s Chorus

To both honor and raise money for the victims of the Orlando attacks, the London Gay Men’s Chorus (LGMC) is releasing a charity single, their cover of Simon and Garfunklel’s Bridge Over Troubled Water. The single is available to purchase or stream on all major platforms, including iTunes and Google Play.

All proceeds of the single will be split equally between the Orlando Victims Fund, organized by Equality Florida, and Galop, a London based charity that works to reduce LGBT hate crime in London and around the UK.

The LGMC performed the song originally at a vigil in Soho, London following the tragedy in Orlando.

The group recorded the single prior to the attack with the intentions of putting it on their upcoming 25th anniversary album, but after the unprecedented response the the video of their performance at the vigil, they decided to release it early as a single to raise money for those affected by the tragedy and to fight hate crimes in Orlando.

Speaking about the release, LGMC Artistic Director Simon Sharp commented,

“The attack on the Pulse nightclub in Orlando sent shockwaves through the whole LGBT community. The LGMC responded in the only way we could: through song,” said LGMC Artistic Director Simon Sharp. “We were truly overwhelmed by the public response to our performance at the Soho Vigil and want to do everything we can to raise money for the victims of the Orlando attack and for victims of LGBT hate crime in the UK.”

In addition, the Chairman of the chorus John D. Carrion thanked those who shared and supported the original video online and reaffirms the important role music plays in the mourning process.

“The LGMC believes passionately that music has the power to heal and to inspire, to lift souls and to unite people in times of joy and sorrow. We understand how vital it is that the LGBT community has access to safe and supportive spaces – community groups such as the LGMC, bars and clubs – as a sanctuary,” he said. “A place to express yourself and your identity. A place to call home. The Orlando attack was an act of hatred directed towards the LGBT community and we want to combat this hate with a message of love, hope and solidarity.”

The cover was arranged by Fred Broom, with orchestrations by Simon Nathan. It features the Orion Orchestra with Lana Bode on piano.

The LGMC was formed in 1991 by nine gay men, and has since grown to become Europe’s largest male voice choir with over 200 singing members. The group not only performs regularly around London, but also conducts education workshops in schools to combat homophobia. This year marks the celebration of 25 years of music and activism.

You can view the lyric video for the single below.