DEAR FRIENDS,This month:
- SFGMC wins another OUTMusic Award!
- Great stuffing stocking ideas - SFGMC's holiday CDs
- Home For The Holiday - program preview
- Preparing for the road - SFGMC's CA Freedom Tour
SFGMC WINS 2009 OUTMusic Award!
The OUTMusic Awards were held in New York City on December 8, 2009. SFGMC won the award for Outstanding New Choral Song, for the song "We Looked To The Future," which is the opening track on our double CD set, Creating Harmony, featuring highlights from our 30th season (2008). The track was recorded live at Davies Symphony Hall on May 15, 2008, and features soloist Edward "Moose" Maravilla, along with the full chorus and the Community Women's Orchestra. The song, with lyrics taken from Thomas Jefferson's writings, was written by gay composer Steve Milloy, (pictured), who is a renowned composer, arranger, voice teacher and pianist, published by Oxford University Press and Yelton Rhodes Music. Steve allowed me to orchestrate the song for our concert, so it was a real team effort. To hear an excerpt of the song, visit: https://www.sfgmc.org/mediaplayer/index.html
SFGMC also received nominations for our 2009 recordings Tune In, Turn Up, Sing Out and A Few Licks, and for our 2008 DVD, U.S.S. Metaphor.
STOCKING STUFFERS - SFGMC HOLIDAY CDS
Speaking of the OUTMusic Awards, did you know that one of our holiday CDs was also an OUTMusic Award winner? Home For The Holidays - Live At The Castro Theatre, featuring concert highlights from 2000 - 2004, won the OUTMusic Award for Outstanding New Choral Recording in 2005. Home For The Holidays was SFGMC's second holiday CD. The first, Our Gay Apparel, was released in 1995. It was re-pressed several years ago. Selections from BOTH of these CDs are featured in our holiday concerts this December as part of our 20th Anniversary celebration of Home For The Holidays.
Both CDs are available at SFGMC's website ($15 each) and via iTunes as individual tracks or the full albums.
HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS - PROGRAM PREVIEW
Many of you responded to our poll to find out your SFGMC holiday favorites spanning the last 20 years! Here are the pieces that were selected, showing the year in which SFGMC first performed each song and a little history about each piece.
We Need A Little Christmas (1993) From the Broadway musical Mame by Jerry Herman. This arrangement is extracted from Christmas At Court by renowned musician and former SFGMC member, Wayne Love: http://www.artistswithaids.org/artforms/music/catalogue/love.html
Here's an excerpt from his bio:
Love's last work is thought to be Christmas At Court, an extended arrangement for men's chorus and small orchestra commissioned for the San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus by its artistic director, Dr. Stan Hill. The group premiered Christmas At Court in 1995 [actually 1993] and recorded two excepts on Our Gay Apparel.
Do You Hear What I Hear? (2006) arr. David Maddux: http://www.yrmusic.com/v2/artists/bios/artist.php?ID=19
Our Stockings (2009) From This House Shall Stand- Songs of My Family
Conductor: Garry Hanna (SFGMC assistant conductor)
Commissioned by the Gay Men's Chorus of Washington, DC, music by Robert Seeley, lyrics by Robert Espindola. Premiered at the Kennedy Center, Washington,DC, 2007. Songs of My Family reflects the joys and sorrows, challenges and achievements of GLBT relationships with our biological families and with our families of choice. Composer Robert Seeley and lyricist Robert Espindola were members of SFGMC. Seeley also served as SFGMC's composer-in-residence. Among many works, he wrote for SFGMC NakedMan (1996), and 'the Roberts' together created Exile (2000).
A Musicological Journey Through The Twelve Days Of Christmas (1994)
By Craig Courtney, revoiced for men's chorus by Stan Hill (AD, SFGMC, 1990 - 2000)
Featured on SFGMC's OGA CD
Note: this piece will NOT be performed on December 24.
Also recorded by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, a reviewer on Amazon wrote: Composer Courtney developed a Pops arrangement of what can sometimes be a boring and repetitious carol to deliver a wonderfully crafted chronological sampling of musical style periods from Gregorian Chant to early twentieth century Sousa. "A Musicological Journey Through The Twelve Days of Christmas" is an unforgettable jaunt through Vienna, Rome, France, Germany and Russia to the USA.
God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen (2009)
Arranged by Alex Rybeck: http://www.yrmusic.com/v2/artists/bios/artist.php?ID=301
Let There Be Peace On Earth (2009)
Premiere! Arranged by Tony McIntosh (SFGMC member since 1985)
Joy To The World (2002)
Arranged by Kathleen McGuire after the Mariah Carey version featuring two different songs: Joy To The World by 3 Dog Night, and the traditional carol.
Fruitcake (2003) Our 2003 version included a tribute to Martha Stewart. This year, Julia Child!
Triumphant Light Fanfare and Hymn the the Winter Solstice (1994 - World Premiere!) By Donald Skirvin: http://www.yrmusic.com/v2/artists/bios/artist.php?ID=14 Conductor: Paul Saccone (SFGMC assistant conductor)
Today, the composer of this work wrote and confirmed that SFGMC did, indeed, present the world premiere of Triumphant Light in 1994: "I'm delighted to hear that the SF Gay Men's Chorus is going to perform Triumphant Light again! It has been performed by other choruses in both the men's and mixed voicings. But I recall very much enjoying the energy and strength that the chorus brought to its premiere. With best regards, Don."
Coming Out On Christmas (2000) By Dean X. Johnson: http://www.artistswithaids.org/artforms/music/catalogue/johnsond.html Parody of Hark The Herald Angels Sing. Featured on SFGMC's HFTH CD.
Not In Our Town (2005) By Fred Small arr. Kevin Robison: http://www.yrmusic.com/v2/artists/bios/artist.php?ID=270
True story about the residents of Billings, Montana who responded to an upsurge in hate violence by standing together for a hate-free community. In 1993, hate activities in Billings reached a crescendo. KKK fliers were distributed, the Jewish cemetery was desecrated, the home of a Native American family was painted with swastikas, and a brick was thrown through the window of a six-year-old boy who displayed a Menorah for Hanukkah. More info: http://www.pbs.org/niot/about/niot1.html
In our concert, SFGMC will display paper Menorahs that were colored this December by students at Orion Elementary School in Redwood City, where chorus member Robert Frederick is a teacher.
O Holy Night (1996) Arr. Jay Kawarsky: http://www.rider.edu/13049_5732.htm
Conductor: Carl Pantle (SFGMC associate artistic director)
Santa Claus Is Coming To Town (2007) Arranged by Anne Albritton, who for many years arranged and accompanied for Turtle Creek Chorale and the Women's Chorus of Dallas. Anne passed away a few years ago from breast cancer. More info: http://www.corsicanadailysun.com/obituaries/local_story_286222039.html Choreography by Steve Valdez (SFGMC member since 1994)
Sing-along medley: Jingle Bells, O Come All Ye Faithful, Silent Night / Stille Nacht, Deck the Hall
We sing Silent Night in both English and German to commemorate the 1914, World War I "Christmas Truce"(Silent Night): http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas_truce and remember all those around the world who are in places of conflict, wishing them peace in the near future.
CONDUCT-THE-CHORUS AUCTION: NEW SONG FOR 2009:
The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire) (2005)
By Mel Torme, from A Charlie Brown Christmas, piano arr. Vince Guaraldi Guaraldi was a SF native: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vince_Guaraldi. Charles M. Schultz, creator of the Peanuts comics, lived in Sebastapol and Santa Rosa for many years: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_M._Schulz. SFGMC orginally sang this as part of a medley commemorating the 40th anniversary of the TV special: A Charlie Brown Christmas.
(There’s No Place Like) Home For The Holidays (1995)
Arr. Robert Seeley Featured on both of SFGMC's holiday CDs
In This Very Room (1993) By Ron and Carol Harris
Before Robert Seeley arranged "Home For The Holidays," In This Very Room was used as the concert closer in the early years.
2010 CALIFORNIA FREEDOM TOUR
SFGMC will go on tour again in 2010. SFGMC's first tour was the historic national tour of 1981, which inspired the formation of many LGBT choruses around the country and the world. In 2001, SFGMC toured to Washington D.C. and New York City to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the national tour.
In 2010, we will stay closer to home, with a tour visiting Redding and Chico (January), Fresno and Bakersfield (May) and Tracy (July). Proceeds from the tour will benefit local organizations.
Tickets for the first leg of the tour are already available! Visit: https://shastaartscouncil.org/Gay_Men_s_Chorus.html
Why Is The Tour Important?
The passage of Prop 8 showed that there is still a great deal of work to bedone in our own backyard when it comes to acceptance of LGBTs.
We believe that to accept us, you must know us. It is by telling our stories, through our culture, that this happens.
Why SFGMC?
The Chorus can be that face and change hearts and minds in places where our voices need to be heard. The positive experiences of our performances in places like Modesto and Vallejo show that we do make a difference!
How Is The Tour Being Funded?
The Tour has been made possible by generous contributions from individuals. If you would like to make a contribution towards the Tour, please contact the Chorus office: info@sfgmc.org, ph: 415-865-3650, or donate online and make a note CA Freedom Tour.
Happy holidays! I look forward to seeing you at a concert soon!
- Kathleen
The OUTMusic Awards were held in New York City on December 8, 2009. SFGMC won the award for Outstanding New Choral Song, for the song "We Looked To The Future," which is the opening track on our double CD set, Creating Harmony, featuring highlights from our 30th season (2008). The track was recorded live at Davies Symphony Hall on May 15, 2008, and features soloist Edward "Moose" Maravilla, along with the full chorus and the Community Women's Orchestra. The song, with lyrics taken from Thomas Jefferson's writings, was written by gay composer Steve Milloy, (pictured), who is a renowned composer, arranger, voice teacher and pianist, published by Oxford University Press and Yelton Rhodes Music. Steve allowed me to orchestrate the song for our concert, so it was a real team effort. To hear an excerpt of the song, visit: https://www.sfgmc.org/mediaplayer/index.htmlSFGMC also received nominations for our 2009 recordings Tune In, Turn Up, Sing Out and A Few Licks, and for our 2008 DVD, U.S.S. Metaphor.
STOCKING STUFFERS - SFGMC HOLIDAY CDS
Speaking of the OUTMusic Awards, did you know that one of our holiday CDs was also an OUTMusic Award winner? Home For The Holidays - Live At The Castro Theatre, featuring concert highlights from 2000 - 2004, won the OUTMusic Award for Outstanding New Choral Recording in 2005. Home For The Holidays was SFGMC's second holiday CD. The first, Our Gay Apparel, was released in 1995. It was re-pressed several years ago. Selections from BOTH of these CDs are featured in our holiday concerts this December as part of our 20th Anniversary celebration of Home For The Holidays.
Both CDs are available at SFGMC's website ($15 each) and via iTunes as individual tracks or the full albums.
HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS - PROGRAM PREVIEW
Many of you responded to our poll to find out your SFGMC holiday favorites spanning the last 20 years! Here are the pieces that were selected, showing the year in which SFGMC first performed each song and a little history about each piece.We Need A Little Christmas (1993) From the Broadway musical Mame by Jerry Herman. This arrangement is extracted from Christmas At Court by renowned musician and former SFGMC member, Wayne Love: http://www.artistswithaids.org/artforms/music/catalogue/love.html
Here's an excerpt from his bio:
Love's last work is thought to be Christmas At Court, an extended arrangement for men's chorus and small orchestra commissioned for the San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus by its artistic director, Dr. Stan Hill. The group premiered Christmas At Court in 1995 [actually 1993] and recorded two excepts on Our Gay Apparel.
Do You Hear What I Hear? (2006) arr. David Maddux: http://www.yrmusic.com/v2/artists/bios/artist.php?ID=19
Our Stockings (2009) From This House Shall Stand- Songs of My Family
Conductor: Garry Hanna (SFGMC assistant conductor)
Commissioned by the Gay Men's Chorus of Washington, DC, music by Robert Seeley, lyrics by Robert Espindola. Premiered at the Kennedy Center, Washington,DC, 2007. Songs of My Family reflects the joys and sorrows, challenges and achievements of GLBT relationships with our biological families and with our families of choice. Composer Robert Seeley and lyricist Robert Espindola were members of SFGMC. Seeley also served as SFGMC's composer-in-residence. Among many works, he wrote for SFGMC NakedMan (1996), and 'the Roberts' together created Exile (2000).
A Musicological Journey Through The Twelve Days Of Christmas (1994)
By Craig Courtney, revoiced for men's chorus by Stan Hill (AD, SFGMC, 1990 - 2000)
Featured on SFGMC's OGA CD
Note: this piece will NOT be performed on December 24.
Also recorded by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, a reviewer on Amazon wrote: Composer Courtney developed a Pops arrangement of what can sometimes be a boring and repetitious carol to deliver a wonderfully crafted chronological sampling of musical style periods from Gregorian Chant to early twentieth century Sousa. "A Musicological Journey Through The Twelve Days of Christmas" is an unforgettable jaunt through Vienna, Rome, France, Germany and Russia to the USA.
God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen (2009)
Arranged by Alex Rybeck: http://www.yrmusic.com/v2/artists/bios/artist.php?ID=301
Let There Be Peace On Earth (2009)
Premiere! Arranged by Tony McIntosh (SFGMC member since 1985)
Joy To The World (2002)
Arranged by Kathleen McGuire after the Mariah Carey version featuring two different songs: Joy To The World by 3 Dog Night, and the traditional carol.
Fruitcake (2003) Our 2003 version included a tribute to Martha Stewart. This year, Julia Child!
Triumphant Light Fanfare and Hymn the the Winter Solstice (1994 - World Premiere!) By Donald Skirvin: http://www.yrmusic.com/v2/artists/bios/artist.php?ID=14 Conductor: Paul Saccone (SFGMC assistant conductor)
Today, the composer of this work wrote and confirmed that SFGMC did, indeed, present the world premiere of Triumphant Light in 1994: "I'm delighted to hear that the SF Gay Men's Chorus is going to perform Triumphant Light again! It has been performed by other choruses in both the men's and mixed voicings. But I recall very much enjoying the energy and strength that the chorus brought to its premiere. With best regards, Don."
Coming Out On Christmas (2000) By Dean X. Johnson: http://www.artistswithaids.org/artforms/music/catalogue/johnsond.html Parody of Hark The Herald Angels Sing. Featured on SFGMC's HFTH CD.
Not In Our Town (2005) By Fred Small arr. Kevin Robison: http://www.yrmusic.com/v2/artists/bios/artist.php?ID=270
True story about the residents of Billings, Montana who responded to an upsurge in hate violence by standing together for a hate-free community. In 1993, hate activities in Billings reached a crescendo. KKK fliers were distributed, the Jewish cemetery was desecrated, the home of a Native American family was painted with swastikas, and a brick was thrown through the window of a six-year-old boy who displayed a Menorah for Hanukkah. More info: http://www.pbs.org/niot/about/niot1.html
In our concert, SFGMC will display paper Menorahs that were colored this December by students at Orion Elementary School in Redwood City, where chorus member Robert Frederick is a teacher.
O Holy Night (1996) Arr. Jay Kawarsky: http://www.rider.edu/13049_5732.htm
Conductor: Carl Pantle (SFGMC associate artistic director)
Santa Claus Is Coming To Town (2007) Arranged by Anne Albritton, who for many years arranged and accompanied for Turtle Creek Chorale and the Women's Chorus of Dallas. Anne passed away a few years ago from breast cancer. More info: http://www.corsicanadailysun.com/obituaries/local_story_286222039.html Choreography by Steve Valdez (SFGMC member since 1994)
Sing-along medley: Jingle Bells, O Come All Ye Faithful, Silent Night / Stille Nacht, Deck the Hall
We sing Silent Night in both English and German to commemorate the 1914, World War I "Christmas Truce"(Silent Night): http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas_truce and remember all those around the world who are in places of conflict, wishing them peace in the near future.
CONDUCT-THE-CHORUS AUCTION: NEW SONG FOR 2009:
The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire) (2005)
By Mel Torme, from A Charlie Brown Christmas, piano arr. Vince Guaraldi Guaraldi was a SF native: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vince_Guaraldi. Charles M. Schultz, creator of the Peanuts comics, lived in Sebastapol and Santa Rosa for many years: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_M._Schulz. SFGMC orginally sang this as part of a medley commemorating the 40th anniversary of the TV special: A Charlie Brown Christmas.
(There’s No Place Like) Home For The Holidays (1995)
Arr. Robert Seeley Featured on both of SFGMC's holiday CDs
In This Very Room (1993) By Ron and Carol Harris
Before Robert Seeley arranged "Home For The Holidays," In This Very Room was used as the concert closer in the early years.
2010 CALIFORNIA FREEDOM TOUR
SFGMC will go on tour again in 2010. SFGMC's first tour was the historic national tour of 1981, which inspired the formation of many LGBT choruses around the country and the world. In 2001, SFGMC toured to Washington D.C. and New York City to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the national tour.
In 2010, we will stay closer to home, with a tour visiting Redding and Chico (January), Fresno and Bakersfield (May) and Tracy (July). Proceeds from the tour will benefit local organizations.
Tickets for the first leg of the tour are already available! Visit: https://shastaartscouncil.org/Gay_Men_s_Chorus.html
Why Is The Tour Important?
The passage of Prop 8 showed that there is still a great deal of work to bedone in our own backyard when it comes to acceptance of LGBTs.
We believe that to accept us, you must know us. It is by telling our stories, through our culture, that this happens.
Why SFGMC?
The Chorus can be that face and change hearts and minds in places where our voices need to be heard. The positive experiences of our performances in places like Modesto and Vallejo show that we do make a difference!
How Is The Tour Being Funded?
The Tour has been made possible by generous contributions from individuals. If you would like to make a contribution towards the Tour, please contact the Chorus office: info@sfgmc.org, ph: 415-865-3650, or donate online and make a note CA Freedom Tour.
Happy holidays! I look forward to seeing you at a concert soon!
- Kathleen
