New York City Labor Chorus Inc

The New York City Labor Chorus is a democratically run twenty-year old chorus, singing for and with people from those on picket lines to all on the struggle for peace and justice. In the past year, the chorus went on a cultural exchange to Cuba, where it learned and taught much, as well as celebrating its 20th anniversary with a sold-out concert in New York's Town Hall. Supported almost entirely through the efforts of it's volunteer members, this chorus and it's director are amazing!

I have heard the NYC Labor Chorus perform several times, and each experience is more rewarding than the last. Whether they are singing in a small stuffy room, with the audience perched on folding chairs, or, more recently, in centers and concert halls, they always have incredible spirit, and they have become more and more polished over the years. Their repertoire has also broadened: they sing the old favorite union songs, but they have added many new and more complex pieces; the arrangements are also complex and beautiful. A year ago, when they performed "The Lonesome Train" (Earl Robinson's tribute to Lincoln) at Riverside Church, I was moved to tears. Often the entire audience is moving and swaying with them, sometimes even singing along. They perform the most valuable functions: celebrating labor, reminding people that it is is the workers who create a country's wealth, and offering working people the recognition and respect they so richly deserve. They are an inspiration.

I HELPED TO ARRANGE A TOUR OF WALES FOR THIS GROUP. WE FOUND IT TO BE OVERWHELMING IN BEING ABLE TO SING WITH WESLH MALE CHOIRS AT CONCERTS. THIS GROUP ALSO DISTINGUISHED ITSELF AT BEING THE LEAD GROUP IN THE CONCERTS. THEIR PROFESSIONALISM IN MUSIC WAS PROFOUND.

I found listening to the New York City Labor Chorus a wonderfully fulfilling experience. Their songs inspired me to think more deeply about the sacrifices people have made so that our working lives are safer and better.

At a time when labor is being assaulted on all fronts by a government and a Congress completely divorced from the American working class, it is a breath of fresh air knowing the the NYCLC is on the forefront of bringing the rich history of the labor movement to the minds and hearts of their audiences. Theirs is a wonderful repertoire of songs of thelives of working class men and women. Truly a treat to hear, truly a treasure to behold! A must listen!

Hi, This is E-chan from Japan.
I am enjoying to sing songs for peace with my friends. The name of chorus group is MINATO Choir locating at Tokyo, Japan.
My colleagues participated the concert at River side church last May joined by NYCLC. It was really nice concert.

NYCLC is clearly dedicated to its core missions of bringing the music of labor and civil rights struggles to the broader public, and of supporting the struggles of people for human and civil rights through the use of song.

The NYCLC performs to a wide variety of audiences, from union locals to the United Nations, promoting through their music international solidarity, peace, social justice, and human rights. By so doing, we help to raise the energy and morale of participants in these causes.

The NYC Labor Chorus is always where they are needed. Whether it's cheering on a labor struggle, raising money for strikers, or supporting Pete Seeger and other labor heroes, they give themselves in beautiful harmony and inspiring rhythms. When it's hard to keep going in the face of adversity, the Labor Chorus puts a strong wind of musical inspiration under tired wings, offers roses with the bread, makes one stand a little taller. They don't just sing songs, they sing history and pride, a fierce pride in being part of the common backbone of this country.

I have lived in Canada since 1974, far flung from my New York roots. Long into my years here, a friend sent me a CD of the New York City Labor Chorus; I was instantly drawn into memories of my childhood. Spirituals and labor songs, sung simply and with earnestness, touched me deeply. These songs, many sung in my youth with friends at camp, carried me through dark days. They speak about historical events. They express the yearnings of working people and the dispossessed; they are an expression of who we are as a people. Without the NYC LaborChorus, much important history would be ignored and forgotten. I am grateful the chorus exists.

It was my pleasure to sing with this group about ten (10) years ago. Apart from the personal satisfaction of performing, the musical selections are inspiring. This prompted me to be more active in civil and community action groups. My participation in this organization gave me the strength , courage and voice to lead others when no way was apparent. I managed to organized well over 200 hundred employees to stand up for their rights when our job was threatened as other women had done in the past. This I learnt from the song "Bread and Roses". In a time when unions are under attack, the music this group presents speaks to the pioneering spirt of our forefathers and reminds us the struggle continues and shows us how far we have come from the days of the 'sweatshops'.

I have sung in the chorus for 2 years now. The music is full of social purpose and inspiration to people to reach for better lives for all by joining together for support and community. The chorus support local activists like unions. The chorus carries forward the history of public protest and organizing. More of this message is needed in all areas of our society.

I've had the great pleasure of attending an Abraham Lincoln Memorial performance as well as attending some of their fund raising events. The performance was inspiring and professionally presented. This chorus not only performs well, but is out in the trenches supporting every labor related travesty that occurs on a daily basis. It is true to its origins in supporting the working class and speaks out of human rights as they apply to the work force.

Songs, friends and progressive thought. What a wonderful experience.

I went to a performance of the new york city Labor Chorus at the Donnell library. Many of the songs, like "Bread and Roses" and "Solidarity Forever", were very familiar to me, and I thought I might be bored hearing them yet again. But when they were sung by this chorus, with their big, sincere, uninhibited sound, I wept.

Excellent! Uplifting! So important!
I am a donor and an avid attendee of the Labor Chorus.
They are so dedicated and do a tremendous job with every performance.
And they serve as a constant reminder of the important of labor unions in this country.

I have been a member of the chorus for three and a half years and feel it makes a unique contribution by promoting a repertoire of songs from the labor movement and reveals the role music plays in social change. I especially value the diverse membership of the chorus: multi-racial, intergenerational and represention from a broad spectrum of unions.
While performing for various audiences is always fun, the real joy for me is joining my voice with others to create wonderfully rich music.

I am a long term member of the New York City Labor Chorus of at least 15 or so years. We fight for rights through songs of solidarity and social justice. We provide a voice for what is greatly needed in society we are people of all ages combined together to deliver one message "union" we fight for the rights of families, workers and believe strongly in helping with protests and doing what is right for our people.

In solidarity Denise Jones, First Alto

I've been a member of the New York City Labor Chorus since 1999. It's a wonderful organization that supports and promotes the labor movement through song. The Chorus has a myriad number of unions represented by its large chorus membership; a congenial group of people, we love to sing and perform. We are "for hire", and our songs are sung with zeal and skill, style -- and a smile.