USF’s MUS 216: Music & Queer Community in San Francisco course explores the deep connections between music, place, and LGBTQ+ storytelling through community-engaged learning. Throughout the semester, students collaborate with local organizations, artists, and elders to honor the histories, soundscapes, and creative practices that have shaped queer life in the Bay Area. Their incredible work includes field recordings, archival study, oral histories, ensemble performance, and intergenerational dialogue that center queer resilience and cultural activism.

This year, MUS 216 students are honored to contribute their research and performance to Light in the Grove. Their participation reflects USF’s commitment to community partnership, creative expression, and the ongoing work of preserving and celebrating LGBTQ+ history.