If You Want to Know Who We Are...
Founded in 1976, NEGASS is affiliated with the original Gilbert and Sullivan Society in England, which has branches throughout the world. Our society’s founder was the late Warren Colson, a local performer, photographer, and author of the Gilbert and Sullivan Concordance.
In the terminology of the G&S world, NEGASS and the Gilbert & Sullivan Society are appreciation societies, rather than performing groups. Many of our members belong to local G & S performing groups, however, and we do our best to support their performances!
Our dues-paying members, who number approximately 150, are found on four continents — although candor compels us to admit that our Japanese and Australian members have not attended any recent meetings! Visit our membership page today.
Our Purpose
Our constitution describes our official purpose and governance in more detail. Simply put: we seek to help not only our own members, but all Savoyards in the New England area, by connecting people in need of G&S information, expertise or materials with others who have what they need.
Our Board and Staff have their own page! Visit for a full listing and information - click here.
Our Activities
Our meetings take place 5-6 times each year. The format and content are quite varied, ranging from unrehearsed, uncostumed sing-alongs to polished live concerts; from G&S karaoke to scholarly lectures and panel discussions; from cookouts to group attendance at performances; from costume parties to performances of Gilbert without Sullivan or Sullivan without Gilbert. The list is limited only by the imagination of the membership! We welcome your proposals for meetings of all kinds. Tell us, we pray you!
Our Publication, The Trumpet Bray
Published bi-monthly, The Trumpet Bray is NEGASS's most valuable contribution to the New England G&S scene. With articles, announcements, peer reviews, interesting factoids and so much more, this publication is itself worth the price of a membership to support it! For more information or to visit the archives, visit our Trumpet Bray page.
Our Other Resources
We have placed a number of G&S-related volumes in the Warren Colson Memorial Collection, which is housed at the Newton Free Library in Newton, MA. We also have multiple copies of most G&S vocal scores, available to dues-paying members who would like to borrow them for groups sings. In addition, we have now have a lending library of orchestral scores and parts - see the full list of shows as well as pricing information on our Lending Library Link.
Our Community Support
We are eager to place NEGASS ads in programs of G&S performances. Please contact us if you’re putting on a G&S or G&S-related show! – you’ll receive free publicity, and we’ll be happy to purchase an ad in your program as well.
Our Call For Your Participation
Reviewers wanted! Have you ever wanted to comment on your colleagues’ hard work somewhere other than Facebook? Now is your chance! The Trumpet Bray seeks peer reviewers for local G&S productions. Write a review that goes to publication, and we’ll refund up to $25 towards your ticket cost. (Send copy of ticket stub for reimbursement.) Contact [email protected] for more info.
Further suggestions for supporting local G&S performing and research communities are very welcome. You can send a message through the Contact NEGASS page.
