Jerry Carlson; Gay Men’s Chorus of L.A. Leader

Jerry Carlson, conductor of the 95-voice Gay Men’s Chorus of Los Angeles, died at his West Hollywood home Monday.

He was 31 and died of the complications of acquired immune deficiency syndrome, said Craig Woodbury, this year’s chorus president.

Founded in 1978, the volunteer chorus performs an eclectic mix of songs at various locations in Southern California throughout most of the year. Its repertoire ranges from the choral works of Shostakovich to the songs of Kodaly and Bartok to the wistful refrains of American folk music to popular tunes from motion pictures.

In 1980, Carlson came to Los Angeles from Chicago where he was a co-founder of the Windy City Chorus. He had studied music at the University of Minnesota and Northwestern University and also was a charter member of the Chicago Gay Pride Band, one of the first homosexual musical groups in the country.

He was promoted from assistant conductor to principal conductor of the Los Angeles chorus in 1981 and also became musical director of the group, one of the few paid positions in the ensemble.

He was also a co-founder of GALA, the Gay Lesbian Assn. of Choruses and held membership in the American Choral Directors Assn. and the Choral Conductors Guide.

A memorial service will be held Dec. 5 at 2 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church of Hollywood, where the chorus rehearses.

Survivors include his parents, Elmer and Maxine Carlson and a longtime friend, Rob Brossman.