Hobart will play host to hundreds of LGBTIQ choristers from all over Australia in July, as they take part in the national Out & Loud Festival at this year’s Festival of Voices – attracting international, top calibre guests artists.

For the first time in its history, Hobart will proudly play host to hundreds of LGBTI choristers from all over Australia as they take part in the national not-for-profit event, Out & Loud Festival at this year’s Festival of Voices.

Headlining this event is world-class conductor Charlie Beale, Artistic Director of the New York City Gay Men’s Chorus, who is conducting a choral spectacle at MONA – though this is just a small part of the biggest LGBTI singing event in Australia.

“Hobart is becoming a proud centre for acceptance and diversity,” said festival director Kris Stewart.  “Out & Loud will be a fantastic stimulus for the cultural life and economy of Tasmania, exposing hundreds of new guests to this jewel-box city.”

Out & Loud will see the first performance of the new Tasmanian LGBTI choir, QTas, which was created in response to a performance by the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Choir at last year’s Festival of Voices.

Another highlight of the festival is a 6-day Out & Loud Workshop run by Charlie Beale, where close to 200 singers and their partners participate in an uplifting and moving vocal journey.

Festival of Voices is Tasmania’s largest winter cultural event, and Australia’s premier celebration of the human voice in its many forms. Now in its ninth year, Festival of Voices 2013 runs from 5-14 July in venues across Hobart.