Transgender Chorus Helps Members Find Their Voices

A new Boston-area group is believed by its founder to be only the second chorus in the country open only to transgender people. The Butterfly Music Transgender Chorus, founded by Sandi Hammond, provides a supportive community where trans men and women can make music with others who understand their struggle to feel accepted, and learn to sing with their new voices without damaging their vocal chords during the transition. The traditional divisions of soprano, alto, tenor, and bass do not exist; instead, singers can choose to sing high, medium, or low parts, and can change sections at any time. In this profile by the Boston Globe, Hammond and several members discuss the chorus’ founding and their experience in the group.