We're a queer-centered, non-auditioned community choir based in Bennington, VT. Bennington Voices of Pride is made up of singers from many walks of life. Some of us read music fluently, others learn by ear - but what we share is a love of singing together and building something meaningful through music. We believe choral singing is for everyone, and we work to create a space where people feel welcomed, supported, and free to be themselves.

Anyone who loves to sing is welcome.

You do not need to:

• Audition

• Read music

• Have prior choir experience

We ask that members:

• Attend rehearsals as consistently as they are able

• Engage with curiosity and respect

• Commit to learning the music together as a community

Not everyone wants to sing - and honestly, choirs need more than just voices to thrive. Enter the Fifth Section: the behind-the-scenes heroes, hype crew, problem-solvers, and magic-makers who help keep our choir running smoothly.

Fifth Section members may sing, may not sing, may sing very quietly at home - all are welcome.

The Fifth Section roles may be:

• Vibes & Fellowship Virtuoso: snacks, smiles, name tags, welcoming new folks, post-rehearsal hangs

• Fundraising & creative schemes: raffles, donations, benefit events, and “hey, what if we tried this?” ideas

• Audio / visual wizardry: mics, sound checks, recordings, playlists, tech troubleshooting

• Concert & event wrangling: setup, teardown, programs, seating, signage, herding humans

• Outreach & cheerleading: spreading the word, social media help, community connections

• Organizational glue: reminders, sign-up sheets, spreadsheets, and keeping us gently on track

If you love community, music, or making good things happen, but don’t want to sing, the Fifth Section is absolutely your people.

Rehearsals are structured, supportive, and friendly. We work on vocal technique, musicality, and ensemble skills in a way that meets singers where they are.

Music is taught using a combination of:

• Sheet music

• Recorded tracks

• Repetition and group learning

We value progress over perfection and encourage singers to take risks, ask questions, and enjoy the process.