Queer Songbook Youth Orchestra is Much More than Music-makers

Maya Salawu's musical journey is one of self-discovery, community, and creative expression. As a queer student at Wilfrid Laurier University, her identity and artistry have been deeply influenced by her involvement with the Queer Songbook Youth Orchestra (QSYO). It’s a unique musical collective that spans genres from the soulful melodies of Beverly Glenn-Copeland to the empowering pop anthems of artists like Whitney Houston and K.D. Lang.

Salawu's connection to the QSYO began when Micajah Sturgess, a horn player in the group, visited her school to lead a masterclass. His performance struck a chord with Salawu. After learning more about the orchestra and hearing founder Shaun Brodie speak passionately about its mission, Salawu knew she had to be a part of it. Joining the QSYO wasn’t just about playing music, it was about entering a space where queer identities are celebrated, and creative collaboration takes center stage.

Within the QSYO, Salawu has found more than just an outlet for her musical talents. She describes the orchestra as an environment where each piece of music tells a story, often reflecting her own experience of embracing her queerness and the beauty of individuality. The music of Beverly Glenn-Copeland resonates deeply. “Every piece is like a work of art,” she says, adding that "Color of Anyhow" is a personal favorite.

This approach to music is a stark contrast to the classical repertoire she’s used to performing at Laurier. For Salawu, it’s about finding a deep connection to the music itself, and to the people who share in its creation.

As a leader in Laurier’s brass ensemble, she has brought lessons from the QSYO’s collaborative approach to her own work. “The QSYO is more collaborative; I’ve taken that into how I lead the brass ensemble,” she shares. “It’s about building rapport with others and realizing that I don’t have all the answers. It’s okay to learn from those around you.”

She says the friendships and experiences she’s gained from the QSYO have shaped her as a musician and have deepened her connection with her own identity and style.

For Salawu, the QSYO represents more than just a musical group; it’s a place where she can explore who she is, perform music that speaks to her, and create something meaningful alongside others who share her vision. “Without it, I don’t know what my life would be like,” she reflects. “It wouldn’t be as colorful, as rich, or as special.”

Micajah Sturgess wasn’t interested in classical music growing up, so his sudden fascination with the French horn surprised everyone, even himself. For that, he thanks his sister Clea, who introduced him to the instrument when rehearsing with her school band.

Sturgess’ hunger for music grew with him. Through playing the French horn in a high school band, he discovered performing was not just a hobby, but a lifestyle.

Since then, Sturgess has gained a lot of experience in the classical music world. He has played with renowned orchestras in Canada, including The National Arts Centre Orchestra and The Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra. The latter being nominated for a Juno Award for its iteration of Beethoven Symphony N9.

10 years ago, Sturgess’ musical life completely changed when his friend and, at the time, roommate, Shaun Brodie, came to him with the idea of founding the Queer Songbook Orchestra (QSO), a movement focused on highlighting and uplifting queer stories in a way that has never been done before.

The Queer Songbook Orchestra is a musical space created to help people who identify as a part of the queer community. It’s a safe place to show their identity in an unapologetic and transparent way through music, clothes and makeup.

Sturgess used to play the French horn for himself, but being in the QSO has made him reexamine that. The art he helps craft has not only changed him as a person, but as a performer. Seeing firsthand, the impact he and his peers have on the audience, is an experience he describes as “unlike anything he’s ever felt.”

Alongside his work at the QSO, Sturgess is a freelance French Horn Player who is exploring the different sides of music and improvisation. He says his musical journey will continue as long as he’s having fun – creating and entertaining. He’s also a mentor to younger musicians in the Queer Songbook Youth Orchestra that he helped to launch with his best friend, Shaun Brodie.

Shaun Brodie sought to build an all-inclusive Orchestra and break new ground, in what he saw as a huge crossover between Toronto's queer community and Orchestral music. Now as its Artistic Director, he looks towards guiding the Queer Songbook Orchestra as well as its youth and kid’s divisions, in an experience that some of the older queer players including Brodie never had growing up.

Growing up in Saskatchewan, Brodie knew he wanted to make music from the age of seven. After getting his degree in classical performance at the University of Victoria, he went on to play in indie and rock bands for the next ten years. With a love for storytelling, he thought about becoming a journalist. When that didn’t work out, he came up with a way to combine his two passions and the Queer Songbook Orchestra was born.

Speaking more about the queer side of things, Brodie noted how good of an environment Toronto would be for such a project. His goal was to bring people together, both queer and not. Eventually, QSO was incorporated as a non-profit. When plans to play in Scotland got cancelled, Brodie found an opportunity to expand the organization to QSO Youth and QSO Kids. At the heart of all this are the storytellers, folks deciding to share a part of their lives and a piece of music to add to the meaning. Brodie says music helps drive a deep connection to a story that words alone, can not do.