When voices start to fill Llewellyn Hall on Sunday 24 November, the celebration will go much further than music alone.

It will be more about community, acceptance and a deep sense of belonging when Canberra’s LGBTQIA+ Qwire marks its 30th year.

Friends and supporters of the choir and lovers of fine music are invited to join in the celebrations with an afternoon of choral music in The Sound of Us: A Celebration of Community in Song.

There will also be some degree of sadness as the concert will be the last for Lachlan Snow, Canberra Qwire’s musical director.

“The Sound of Us is all about the power of song to create community,” he said.

“This will be my last engagement with Qwire, which will be true to the foundations of why I stepped into the role.

“In my covering letter when applying for the job back in 2021, I referenced the joy of community music making, especially for LGBTQIA+ people.

“In the same letter I also referenced the need to build bridges beyond and it’s been a joy to do exactly that with our OUT and About project musical partners, including community members who will be singing with us for the first time – welcome.”

The concert will also bring to fruition one of the Qwire’s goals since it was formed in the 1990s.

Through its OUT and About project, the Canberra-based choir has been keen to include singers from rural regions surrounding the national capital. These choirs, Good Vibes (Yass), Voice Works (Goulburn) and Vocal Local (Goulburn) will join together for the November concert.

Describing himself as the Qwire’s arm-waver-in-chief, Lachlan said he was proud of what the choirs had achieved together.

“Thank you for coming along for the ride, both as singers and supporters,” he said.

“This concert is the final stop on this journey together and I can’t wait to share it with you.”

The concert will also feature performances from the three choirs involved in the OUT and About project, each bringing their unique voices to the stage.

Co-leader of Good Vibes Yass Choir, Annabelle O’Connell, said: “I’m so grateful that our community choir was invited to be a part of something so wonderful.

“We’re so excited to join forces with the incredibly talented Canberra Qwire and Goulburn choirs, and the songs we’re singing together are not only fabulous, but each hold a beautiful message about love, belonging, unity and opportunity. It’s going to be fantastic.”

Musical director of Vocal Local and Voice Works choirs, Ben Scott, said: “This collaboration has been a fantastic experience for all of us. It’s a reminder of how music can bridge gaps, bring people together and celebrate the unique stories within our communities. We’re honoured to be part of this special event.”

Tickets are now available for the concert, The Sound of Us: A Celebration of Community in Song, on Sunday 24 November from 3 pm at Llewellyn Hall, Canberra School of Music.