ORLANDO — James Rode is the new artistic director and conductor of the Orlando Gay Chorus, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year.
“It’s exciting and a new adventure to kind of jump on,” Rode said.
He plans to focus on new recruits—particularly sopranos and altos—to grow the chorus, more partnerships with local arts organizations and performances at larger events and venues.
Rode is a director at Celebration High School in Osceola County, where he teaches choir, advanced piano and music theory. Previously, he served as assistant director for the Timber Creek Chorale, interim director of the Celebration Community Choir, and teacher at Timber Creek High School.
He has also performed with the Florida Opera Theatre.
“The people [in the Orlando Gay Chorus] are not all gay; we bring all types of people in,” Rode said. “We get straight people, gay people and transgender. It’s just an open-door type of community for people to feel safe and welcomed here in Orlando.”
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