DEAR FRIENDS,This month, read about:
- RockAria Concert - Davies Symphony Hall & Mission High School
- Celebratory Dinner at Jardinière
- Background about the CD of the month
- SFGMC performs with Bay Area Rainbow Symphony
- Garry Hanna is our new Music Assistant
- Out And Loud Choral Festival, New Zealand
ROCKARIA! CONCERT - DAVIES SYMPHONY HALL & MISSION HIGH SCHOOL
The members of the Chorus have been hard at work learning new music since returning from our triumphant first leg of the California Freedom Tour. RockAria!, which takes its name from Jeff Lynne's song made famous by the band Electric Light Orchestra, is the title of the concert that features some of the best rock and "crossover" songs spanning four decades, from Led Zeppelin to Beyoncé! If you enjoyed SFGMC's Woodstock tribute at Davies last May, think of RockAria! as the sequel. The program includes arrangements that have comes to us from other gay men's choruses (e.g. New York City, Columbus, London, and Cincinnati), a couple of selections from SFGMC's renowned 2002 Queen concert, plus some brand new arrangements I've put together including a Rockin' Sing-Along and Great Rock Ballads. The chorus will be accompanied by a rock band supplemented with some strings to create that authentic modern rock sound.
The concert at Davies Symphony Hall will take place on Thursday, April 22, 8 pm. Tickets are available now at: CITY BOX OFFICE
MISSION HIGH SCHOOL ALLIANCE
In addition to the performance at Davies, SFGMC has formed a new alliance with Mission High School and will perform a free lunchtime preview concert at the school a week earlier, on April 15. We believe that music is an essential element of a complete education and should be part of the curriculum for every California school student. Unfortunately, music is disappearing from many school programs, but SFGMC can make a difference. With this in mind, we are very pleased to announce that, following months of careful preparation and in conjunction with an emerging strategic vision at the board level, we are entering into an historic partnership with Mission High School.
Mission High School recently re-launched its music program and a new choir has been formed. Working with the school's music faculty, we hope to work with the school choir and have them perform with SFGMC in the RockAria! concerts. The preview concert will be presented in the school auditorium for the entire school and other visiting schools from the neighborhood on Thursday, April 15 as part of a school-wide educational and awareness-raising week of events leading up to the National Day of Silence (April 16, 2010).
The National Day of Silence is coordinated by the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network and brings attention to anti-LGBT name-calling, bullying and harassment in schools. Each year, hundreds of thousands of students come together to encourage schools and classmates to address the problem of anti-LGBT behavior. The concert on April 15 will be the centerpiece of this effort. We have also invited the school choir to have the once-in-a-lifetime experience of joining SFGMC on stage at Davies Symphony Hall on April 22. Up to fifty of their classmates will be invited to attend the concert in the audience, on the condition that they then try out for the school choir.
Our goal in bringing this program to Mission High School is to entertain, inspire, affirm, and educate the students: entertain with great music; inspire students to connect with their artistic and humanitarian spirit; affirm the sexual orientation and/or gender identity of all student; educate by teaching music and providing a positive image of LGBT contributions to community life.
CELEBRATORY DINNER AT JARDINIÈRE
You are invited to join me at Jardinière - San Francisco's premier dining establishment located at 300 Grove Street - at a special, celebratory dinner honoring my tenth season with SFGMC. The dinner will be held on Tuesday, April 20 at 8:15 pm. The dinner is a fundraiser for the chorus, with a goal of raising $10,000: that's $1000 for each year I've served on the podium. There are 20 seats available at this very special one-time, all-inclusive event, for a donation of $500 per head. If you wish to attend, please contact Teddy Witherington: teddy@sfgmc.org, ph: 415-865-3650.
CD OF THE MONTH
This month's featured SFGMC CD is TUNE IN, TURN UP, SING OUT, featuring the live performance recorded at Davies Symphony Hall in May, 2009, with special guests Joan Baez, local psychedelic rock band the Whoa Nellies, and guest conducted by Dr. Timothy Seelig. In preparation for our RockAria concert in April, re-live last year's concert again (or hear it for the first time) on this wonderful CD. Remember: if you buy this month, you get a $3 discount! On SFGMC's website you can listen to excerpts of the tracks.
Tracks List:
The members of the Chorus have been hard at work learning new music since returning from our triumphant first leg of the California Freedom Tour. RockAria!, which takes its name from Jeff Lynne's song made famous by the band Electric Light Orchestra, is the title of the concert that features some of the best rock and "crossover" songs spanning four decades, from Led Zeppelin to Beyoncé! If you enjoyed SFGMC's Woodstock tribute at Davies last May, think of RockAria! as the sequel. The program includes arrangements that have comes to us from other gay men's choruses (e.g. New York City, Columbus, London, and Cincinnati), a couple of selections from SFGMC's renowned 2002 Queen concert, plus some brand new arrangements I've put together including a Rockin' Sing-Along and Great Rock Ballads. The chorus will be accompanied by a rock band supplemented with some strings to create that authentic modern rock sound.The concert at Davies Symphony Hall will take place on Thursday, April 22, 8 pm. Tickets are available now at: CITY BOX OFFICE
MISSION HIGH SCHOOL ALLIANCE
In addition to the performance at Davies, SFGMC has formed a new alliance with Mission High School and will perform a free lunchtime preview concert at the school a week earlier, on April 15. We believe that music is an essential element of a complete education and should be part of the curriculum for every California school student. Unfortunately, music is disappearing from many school programs, but SFGMC can make a difference. With this in mind, we are very pleased to announce that, following months of careful preparation and in conjunction with an emerging strategic vision at the board level, we are entering into an historic partnership with Mission High School.
Mission High School recently re-launched its music program and a new choir has been formed. Working with the school's music faculty, we hope to work with the school choir and have them perform with SFGMC in the RockAria! concerts. The preview concert will be presented in the school auditorium for the entire school and other visiting schools from the neighborhood on Thursday, April 15 as part of a school-wide educational and awareness-raising week of events leading up to the National Day of Silence (April 16, 2010).
The National Day of Silence is coordinated by the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network and brings attention to anti-LGBT name-calling, bullying and harassment in schools. Each year, hundreds of thousands of students come together to encourage schools and classmates to address the problem of anti-LGBT behavior. The concert on April 15 will be the centerpiece of this effort. We have also invited the school choir to have the once-in-a-lifetime experience of joining SFGMC on stage at Davies Symphony Hall on April 22. Up to fifty of their classmates will be invited to attend the concert in the audience, on the condition that they then try out for the school choir.
Our goal in bringing this program to Mission High School is to entertain, inspire, affirm, and educate the students: entertain with great music; inspire students to connect with their artistic and humanitarian spirit; affirm the sexual orientation and/or gender identity of all student; educate by teaching music and providing a positive image of LGBT contributions to community life.
CELEBRATORY DINNER AT JARDINIÈRE
You are invited to join me at Jardinière - San Francisco's premier dining establishment located at 300 Grove Street - at a special, celebratory dinner honoring my tenth season with SFGMC. The dinner will be held on Tuesday, April 20 at 8:15 pm. The dinner is a fundraiser for the chorus, with a goal of raising $10,000: that's $1000 for each year I've served on the podium. There are 20 seats available at this very special one-time, all-inclusive event, for a donation of $500 per head. If you wish to attend, please contact Teddy Witherington: teddy@sfgmc.org, ph: 415-865-3650.CD OF THE MONTH
This month's featured SFGMC CD is TUNE IN, TURN UP, SING OUT, featuring the live performance recorded at Davies Symphony Hall in May, 2009, with special guests Joan Baez, local psychedelic rock band the Whoa Nellies, and guest conducted by Dr. Timothy Seelig. In preparation for our RockAria concert in April, re-live last year's concert again (or hear it for the first time) on this wonderful CD. Remember: if you buy this month, you get a $3 discount! On SFGMC's website you can listen to excerpts of the tracks.Tracks List:
- Opening Medley (Celebrate, Good Lovin', Spinning Wheel, 59th Street Bridge Song, I Get Around)
- Yesterday
- I Dig Rock and Roll Music
- California Dreamin'
- I Call Your Name
- Aquarius
- Monday, Monday
- San Francisco (Be Sure to Wear Some Flowers in Your Hair)
- Hair
- Let the Sun Shine
- Woodstock 40th Anniversary Remarks
- Summertime
- Joan Baez Introduction
- Swingin' with the Saints
- Reach Out of the Darkness
- Leaving On a Jet Plane
- Bridge Over Troubled Water
- Abraham, Martin and John
- The Sound of Silence
- Imagine
- Turn! Turn! Turn!
- We Shall Overcome
- Stonewall 40th Anniversary Remarks
- Make Your Own Kind of Music / New World Coming
- Bonus Tracks:
- Middle Child - The Lollipop Guild
- Three Old Friends - Vocal Minority
SFGMC PERFORMS WITH BAY AREA RAINBOW SYMPHONY
On Friday, March 26, 8 pm (at First Unitarian Universalist Church) and Saturday, March 27 , 8 pm (at San Francisco Conservatory of Music), members of SFGMC will appear for the first time as guests of the Bay Area Rainbow Symphony (BARS). In addition to performing works on their own, SFGMC will sing with the orchestra Brahms' stunningly beautiful Alto Rhapsody, featuring mezzo soprano Marla Volovna. To learn more about the performance, visit: www.bars-sf.org
GARRY HANNA IS NEW MUSIC ASSISTANT
We are currently phasing in some changes to our staffing structure in order to maximize our efficiency and the use of organizational resources. As part of this, Thaddeus Pinkston's time with us as Principal Pianist concluded at the end of February. Beginning March 1st, Assistant Conductor Garry Hanna (pictured left) assumed additional responsibilities as Music Assistant, freeing up Carl Pantle to assume the Principle Pianist position as part of his role as Associate Artistic Director. Pantle is also the Music Director of SFGMC ensemble Vocal Minority.
We are extremely grateful to Thaddeus for his service to SFGMC, and anticipate calling on him in future, as needed, as a pianist, vocal coach, or arranger.
Garry Hanna has been a member of SFGMC since 2006 and has served (and will continue to serve) in a voluntary capacity as a Bass Section Leader and as Assistant Conductor. His new responsibilities as Music Assistant will include such tasks as creating rehearsal tracks, licensing arrangements, responding to external music-related inquires, supervising the music library, leading the Ambassadors, and so on. Garry brings to SFGMC considerable experience, including an almost-completed Master’s Degree in music and experience as a music teacher. Garry recently decided to pursue music leadership professionally. We are excited to welcome Garry to our artistic team in this new role.
Formerly a resident of South Carolina, Mr. Hanna has called San Francisco home since 1996. He earned his undergraduate degree from Furman University in Greenville, South Carolina ,and completed postgraduate work at Winthrop University in Rock Hill, South Carolina. His degree and studies are in vocal performance with an emphasis in Choral Conducting and Music Education. He was a Choral Conductor in the South Carolina high school and college systems from 1983 – 1993 and was named Teacher of the Year in 1990. From 1988 – 1993 he was the Chairman of the South Carolina All State Chorus program. He also has a fifteen-year history as a church music director and vocal coach. Mr. Hanna has an extensive history touring throughout the States and Europe as a singer and choral conductor. He has performed several years in the Spoleto USA and Piccolo Spoleto music festivals, Charleston Opera Company, and numerous local and regional performances. Mr. Hanna currently is a vocal coach. He has been a member of SFGMC since 2006 and loves the opportunity to again be part of an organization whose goal is to create quality music experiences for its members and audiences alike.
OUT AND LOUD CHORAL FESTIVAL, NEW ZEALAND
At the beginning of April, I will represent the Gay and Lesbian Association of Choruses, and also SFGMC, traveling with singers from various US LGBT choruses (including SFGMC) to participate in the Out And Loud Choral Festival in Auckland, New Zealand. The Out And Loud Choral Festival occurs every two or three years and is organized by choruses in Australia and New Zealand. Previous Out And Loud Choral Festivals have been held in Australia in Sydney and Melbourne; this will be the first one held in New Zealand, and the first one where US singers have been invited to participate.
On Friday, March 26, 8 pm (at First Unitarian Universalist Church) and Saturday, March 27 , 8 pm (at San Francisco Conservatory of Music), members of SFGMC will appear for the first time as guests of the Bay Area Rainbow Symphony (BARS). In addition to performing works on their own, SFGMC will sing with the orchestra Brahms' stunningly beautiful Alto Rhapsody, featuring mezzo soprano Marla Volovna. To learn more about the performance, visit: www.bars-sf.org
GARRY HANNA IS NEW MUSIC ASSISTANT
We are currently phasing in some changes to our staffing structure in order to maximize our efficiency and the use of organizational resources. As part of this, Thaddeus Pinkston's time with us as Principal Pianist concluded at the end of February. Beginning March 1st, Assistant Conductor Garry Hanna (pictured left) assumed additional responsibilities as Music Assistant, freeing up Carl Pantle to assume the Principle Pianist position as part of his role as Associate Artistic Director. Pantle is also the Music Director of SFGMC ensemble Vocal Minority.We are extremely grateful to Thaddeus for his service to SFGMC, and anticipate calling on him in future, as needed, as a pianist, vocal coach, or arranger.
Garry Hanna has been a member of SFGMC since 2006 and has served (and will continue to serve) in a voluntary capacity as a Bass Section Leader and as Assistant Conductor. His new responsibilities as Music Assistant will include such tasks as creating rehearsal tracks, licensing arrangements, responding to external music-related inquires, supervising the music library, leading the Ambassadors, and so on. Garry brings to SFGMC considerable experience, including an almost-completed Master’s Degree in music and experience as a music teacher. Garry recently decided to pursue music leadership professionally. We are excited to welcome Garry to our artistic team in this new role.
Formerly a resident of South Carolina, Mr. Hanna has called San Francisco home since 1996. He earned his undergraduate degree from Furman University in Greenville, South Carolina ,and completed postgraduate work at Winthrop University in Rock Hill, South Carolina. His degree and studies are in vocal performance with an emphasis in Choral Conducting and Music Education. He was a Choral Conductor in the South Carolina high school and college systems from 1983 – 1993 and was named Teacher of the Year in 1990. From 1988 – 1993 he was the Chairman of the South Carolina All State Chorus program. He also has a fifteen-year history as a church music director and vocal coach. Mr. Hanna has an extensive history touring throughout the States and Europe as a singer and choral conductor. He has performed several years in the Spoleto USA and Piccolo Spoleto music festivals, Charleston Opera Company, and numerous local and regional performances. Mr. Hanna currently is a vocal coach. He has been a member of SFGMC since 2006 and loves the opportunity to again be part of an organization whose goal is to create quality music experiences for its members and audiences alike.
OUT AND LOUD CHORAL FESTIVAL, NEW ZEALAND
At the beginning of April, I will represent the Gay and Lesbian Association of Choruses, and also SFGMC, traveling with singers from various US LGBT choruses (including SFGMC) to participate in the Out And Loud Choral Festival in Auckland, New Zealand. The Out And Loud Choral Festival occurs every two or three years and is organized by choruses in Australia and New Zealand. Previous Out And Loud Choral Festivals have been held in Australia in Sydney and Melbourne; this will be the first one held in New Zealand, and the first one where US singers have been invited to participate.
LGBT singers in Sydney, 2001
I will lead the American Compilation Choir in a gala concert at Auckland Town Hall on Sunday, April 4. In the gala concert, each participating chorus will present a short set, and then all festival participants (approximately 200 in all) will sing together in a grand finale. Four combined pieces include a new commission - sung in a mixture of the native Maori language and in English - by composer David Hamilton, written especially for the Festival. The entire concert will end with my arrangement of "Anthem" from the musical Chess, which I originally arranged for the Opening Ceremony of the Gay Games in Chicago in 2006. In addition to preparing for the gala concert, there will be workshops led by New Zealand's finest choral directors, and also networking sessions for chorus leaders. In my role as a member of the GALA Choruses Association Services Committee, I will lead a discussion regarding GALA Choruses's role as an international organization, with a goal of working more effectively in future with out antipodean counterparts.
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