This holiday season, TRANScend offers a moment of grace: for the things we meant to do, tried to do, forgot to. For the postponed resolutions, half-finished projects, the triumphs and the losses. Join us as we take a breath, admire the lights & ornaments, and wish for a little snow to even out our imperfections. This is: Wintergrace.

In this spirit of grace, TRANScend explores a variety of classical & folk songs, including unique settings of familiar tunes, modern choral arrangements honoring the winter season, and a brand-new piece composed by our conductor, Hannah Cai-Sobel, and arranged collaboratively by the Chorale. Taking its name from an Appalachian arrangement by Kevin Siegfried, our program features pieces by Oliver Tarney, Reena Esmail, Ola Gjeilo and others as a meditation on the profound beauty of winter, and the comfort we can provide each other through the darkest time of year.

The Passion of Miss de Marco, Unemployed Stenographer | The Flea | Sunday 11/23 | 2 PM

The Passion of Miss de Marco, Unemployed Stenographer | The Flea | Saturday 11/22 | 7:30 PM

The Passion of Miss de Marco, Unemployed Stenographer @ The Flea | Saturday 11/22 | 2 PM

The Passion of Miss de Marco, Unemployed Stenographer @ The Flea | Friday 11/21 | 7:30 PM

Trans Day of Remembrance with St John's in the Village

On this Sunday nearest Trans Day of Remembrance 2025 St John’s welcomes TRANScend, NYC’s premier trans choir, to offer this Choral Eucharist for all affected by trans violence.

Repertoire includes:

Ivo Antognini (born 1963) - Missa Brevis

Michel Guimont (born 1950) - O Nata Lux

Richard DeLong (1951-1994) - Immortal Love

The Eucharist is followed by a simple pizza lunch in Revelation Gallery. RSVP for catering purposes below. If attending the Eucharist only and not staying for lunch there is no need to register.

Transcend at Queer Voices Sung

See the TRANScend Ambassadors at Queer Voices Sung this November! We’ll be performing repertoire from our Pride Concert, which was sadly canceled due to Covid-19. Come join us at St. John’s in the Village to hear a selection of “decadent, degenerate, and downright dangerous” music from 1930s Germany.

Our work on this unique and beautiful music was made possible in part with funds from Creative Engagement, a regrant program(s) supported by the funding agencies The New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council, the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature, the Howard Gilman Foundation, and administered by LMCC.

About Queer Voices Sung:

Queer Voices Sung is a monthly concert series dedicated to showcasing queer excellence through classical music.  Every month of 2025, we will be presenting works by queer composers sung by a diverse group of LGBTQ+ singers ending in a reception for our community.  Strength in Unity, Joy in Community. Concerts are free to attend. Follow us on Instagram @queervoicessung for updates.

Join us for The Queer Agenda!

Drs. Felix Graham and Christopher Cayari, with John Urban on piano, will lead a program of queer story-telling through musical theater, classical and pop/blues songs. Original compositions (You'll get a sneak listen to new songs from The Passion of Miss de Marco, Unemployed Stenographer -- a brand new lesbian true crime musical!), Sara Bareilles, Sapphic love songs and Shrek, oh my! Featuring guest performances by Jae Carelli, Caitlyn Duer, Mika Kaufman, Hannah Cai Sobel & Freddy Vaccaro. Come join us for a fun night of Sex Appeal, religious fervor...and Dear Evan Hanson. 

Presented by TRANScend Choral & Community Music Foundation with partial support from The Heritage of Pride Foundation. 

Join TRANScend’s Ambassadors as we sing the anthem for communion at St John’s Homecoming Sunday!

Sunday 7 September, being the first Sunday after Labor Day, is Homecoming Sunday, when we welcome back those who have been away for the summer, resume full choral music at the 11am liturgy, and serve a catered lunch in the garden. This year we are pleased that the Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of New York (the Right Reverend Matthew Heyd), on his Episcopal Visitation to the parish, will be the celebrant and preacher at the 11am Choral Eucharist. The Eucharist will feature a Mozart mass with string ensemble and also participation from our New York Gregorian Chant Project.

Come join us for an exciting program of music that was just too spicy to be let loose in public!

“Decadent,” "degenerate" and "downright dangerous!" (Sen. Joe McCarthy) are all labels used to describe the music, composers and performers featured on our annual Pride concert. Our program starts in Germany, where the Ambassadors follow the path of musical suppression from 1934 to its inevitable conclusion in World War 2. We'll explore the degenerate sounds of music by the Comedian Harmonists, Hans Eisler, Kurt Weill, Max Bruch and others.

The Community Chorale cross the Atlantic, where a more diffuse -- but no less strange -- parallel of Nazi-style artistic repression occurred in America during the 1950s/60s. This will showcase “downright dangerous” music by American-Jewish composer Aaron Copland, as well as folk music from musicians like Pete Seeger, Woody Guthrie, Harry Belafonte and more.

This project is made possible in part with funds from Creative Engagement, a regrant program(s) supported by the funding agencies The New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council, the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature, the Howard Gilman Foundation, and administered by LMCC.

Pride Eve at St John the Divine

Pride Eve 2025 returns better than ever with expanded offerings, including an evening of crafts, color, and pageantry. The night will begin with a cocktail hour where visitors are invited to tour the Cathedral, mingle, and visit different craft stations, as well as enter a raffle to win a variety of prizes.

Returning after a sold-out show last year, our Host, the Greedy Peasant, will then take to the stage for a 45-minute performance culminating in the illumination of the Cathedral in its annual rainbow lights. All are welcome for this special occasion, with monochromatic fanciful dress encouraged. The suggested colors include red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, and pink. Tassels also implied.

For Trans Day of Visibility, TRANScend presents our very first choral recital. Featuring voices from our choirs and beyond, we present a lineup of transgender and gender nonconforming people who love music, and love to sing. Some of our singers are veteran performers, some are just starting out! This recital is community organized, and completely free to attend.

With so much interest in this event, we’ve split our recital into two halves, with different performers in each session. If you are interested in attending the full recital, please grab a ticket for both as seats are limited.

Session 1 runs from 12:30pm - 1:45pm

Session 2 runs from 2:00pm - 3:30pm

Join us at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine for a celebration of Trans Joy & Resilience!

The Cathedral of St. John the Divine and the Episcopal Diocese of New York are committed to supporting and celebrating our transgender siblings in this dangerous time for them in our country. Join us for a special noonday prayer service with the Right Rev. Matthew F. Heyd presiding and Mr. Aaron Scott, Officer for Gender Justice of The Episcopal Church, preaching. The service will be followed by a festive reception. Music from the TRANScend Ambassadors. All are welcome - no registration required.

Come join a welcoming space where everyone has a voice!

The Open House will highlight the incredible talent of our unique community and also explain the process for joining the Community Chorale. If you love to sing, want to support TRANScend's mission of a music space where everyone has a voice , or are even just a little bit curious, you are welcome!