Not What You Think
A Community Profile
MISSION: Founded nearly 15 years ago, Not What You Think (NWYT), an ensemble affiliated with the Lesbian & Gay Chorus of Washington, operates as a consensus group with a shared belief that gay men and lesbians singing together have an opportunity and responsibility to affect change and to open hearts and minds.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE GROUP’S MOST COMMON ACTIVITIES: The 12 members rehearse twice monthly, and perform about six times per year.
BACKGROUND: Ed Wood, one of three facilitators for NWYT, has been with group for more than a decade. His long stint with the group is testament to the ensemble’s exclusive membership of 12. “Whenever we lose a member, we generally approach someone [to join],” Wood explains. “It’s fairly rare that openings come up. We just took a new member, our first in two years.” And a potential member’s dedication to political justice is as important as musical talent, says Wood. “The message is a very integral part of our performances. It’s fighting political oppression, supporting women’s rights, supporting lesbian and gay rights. It’s inclusive of all peoples.”
NEXT EVENT: Fall Concert and CD Release in October, date TBA. Any as yet unscheduled events will be posted to the group’s Web site, www.nwyt.org.
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