From The Podium

July 2010

2010-07-13T16:38:00.000-07:00

DEAR FRIENDS,

Welcome to the July issue of From The Podium. I hope you enjoyed the 40th Annual San Francisco Pride in June. Can you believe it has been forty years?! We have achieved a lot in four decades, but there is still plenty for us to do. And SFGMC will be there every step of the way, ready for the next chapters in the quest for LGBT justice and equality.

Although it's summer, SFGMC has had a busier time than usual. Read on to learn what we've been up to!

San Francisco Pride activities
Vallejo in review - final leg of the CA Freedom Tour
CD of the Month: Oh, Happy Day!

SAN FRANCISCO PRIDE ACTIVITIES

As per usual, SFGMC was very busy during San Francisco's annual Pride celebrations at the end of June. On June 24 and 25, thirty members represented the chorus as its Ambassadors at the 32nd Annual Pride Concert held at Mission High School, presented by the Lesbian/Gay Chorus of San Francisco (celebrating its 30th anniversary) and the San Francisco Lesbian/Gay Freedom Band. Also on the program were Golden Gate Men's Chorus, Voices Lesbian Choral Ensemble, and Cheer San Francisco (also celebrating its 30th anniversary). The concert was also the swansong for conductor Stephanie Lynne Smith. This was her final concert with LGCSF as she is leaving them after eight years for other professional pursuits.

Stephanie Lynne Smith leads LGCSF in a comic tribute to Carmen Miranda

32nd Annual Pride Concert, June 25, 2010

Traditionally, SFGMC's newest members (aka "newbies") put together the Pride float each year. The 2010 newbies, led by Jeffrey Huang, really set a new standard this year. They raised additional funds that led to the design of a professional float and resulted in another Absolutely Fabulous contingent award for SFGMC from the Parade judges.

SFGMC also provided a huge number of volunteers for a margarita booth at the Pride Celebration, and we hosted our own merchandise booth. I participated in the 40th anniversary of SF Pride as a returning Grand Marshal, along with the likes of Sharon McNight and Marion Abdullah.

SFGMC members at the SF Pride margarita booth

Sunday, June 27, 2010

VALLEJO IN REVIEW - FINAL LEG OF CA FREEDOM TOUR
The chorus is often on "hiatus" during the summer after San Francisco's Pride celebrations, but this July we extended our activities to include a final leg of the California Freedom Tour.

SFGMC members & staff in front of the Empress Theatre marquee

Vallejo, Saturday, July 10, 2010

On Saturday, July 10, eighty members of SFGMC performed at the Empress Theatre in Vallejo, marking the third and final leg of the 2010 Tour. In addition to Vallejo, the chorus performed in Redding and Chico in January, and Fresno and Bakersfield in May. Vallejo's was the only county in California that supported Prop 8. An SFGMC supporter asked me why we would go to a city that is so close to San Francisco, and since there is a sizable gay community in Vallejo. The facts speak for themselves with the Prop 8 vote and also the mayor's open disdain for the LGBT community. One of our primary goals for the Tour was to build community and to instill courage in those who live in the cities and towns we visited. In Redding, for instance, an audience member remarked that he had no idea there were so many gay people in his town! I was told: "We never get this many people at our Pride events. I had no idea. Now we can get organized and make things happen!"

An audience of several hundred attended, and proceeds benefited the Vallejo Community Arts Fund's Children's Project. With drastic government cuts to arts education funding, the work of VCAF in the area is of great importance.

Joining SFGMC on stage was the Oakland East Bay Gay Men's Chorus directed by Michael Patch. OEBGMC brought about 20 members, so when both groups combined for the grand finale, a whopping 100 voices filled the intimate theatre. In this acoustically luscious space, it was a powerful experience for all.

One of the big hits of the concert is the penultimate piece on the program, "Oh, Happy Day!", with Sanford Smith taking the vocal lead and inciting the audience onto their feet and into the aisles. The performance in Vallejo was no exception.

CD OF THE MONTH: OH, HAPPY DAY!

SFGMC's Summer Madness CD Sale continues throughout the summer, but don't wait too long to buy those stocking stuffers. At only $5.00 a pop, that's even cheaper than buying our albums on iTunes!

Some of our physical CDs are already sold out, however, including July's CD of the Month: Oh, Happy Day! But you can still purchase each individual track on iTunes. Follow this link to listen to excerpts or purchase tracks: http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/oh-happy-day/id256446074

Oh, Happy Day! was recording live in concert at Mission High School in April, 2004, with special guests Transcendence Gospel Choir and Kim Kuzma. Gospel, Motown and spirituals all came together in a joyful celebration of African American musical heritage and the reclamation of everyone’s right to sing praise. The chorus went on to sing selections from Oh, Happy Day! at the GALA Choruses Festival VII in Montreal a few months later.

Track List

Plenty Good Room
Bless the Lord
Operator
Every Time I Feel the Spirit
We're Not Lost, We're Here
Never Alone
Respect
Stir Up the Gift
Total Praise
The Battle, It's the Lord's
Maybe God's Trying to Tell You Something
The Presence of the Lord is Here
Bless Me (The Prayer of Jabez)
Anthem of Praise
Stepping Out On Your Word
Oh, Happy Day

The performance in Montreal was immortalized in SFGMC member Bud Dillon's award-winning DVD, Why We Sing. You can purchase the DVD at SFGMC's website. Here is an excerpt:

JUNE, 2010

2010-06-08T00:31:00.001-07:00

This month From The Podium has gone MULTI-MEDIA! Enjoy video clips including excerpts from our California Freedom Tour, sneak preview performances of our next concert, and even a Pre-Concert Chat!

This coming Saturday, June 12, is our CLASSICS Concert titled Magnificat. For the first time, SFGMC is joining forces with the San Francisco Girls Chorus Alumnae. Another first is that this will be the first time SFGMC has presented a concert at Old First Church. The venue is near and dear to some in our Chorus who are members of this open and affirming congregation, and two chorus members, Dan Joranstaad and Bob Hermann, were married there.

As well as providing a stunningly beautiful setting for this program, the acoustics are positively dreamy. Below, you can learn more about our program by clicking on a video of me presenting a Pre-Concert Chat about John Rutter's Magnificat.

This month's From The Podium topics:

MAGNIFICAT Pre-Concert Chat ONLINE!
New Awards from KQED and The American Prize
CD of the Month: California Freedom Tour 2010
California Freedom Tour - 2nd Leg In Review

CONDUCTOR'S PRE-CONCERT CHAT ONLINE!
No, you don't have to show up early before the concert on Saturday. Instead, you can enjoy the Conductor's Pre-Concert Chat right now in the comfort of your own home or office! Simply click below. (Thank you, Ken McPherson and Bud Dillon, for filming and producing this clip).

Also, view the two clips below for concert preview/promo (the first was produced by Sean Chapin). The audio provided in all clips were recorded at rehearsals over the last two weeks. (Thank you, Joseph Pritchard, for your assistance with audio recording.)

I hope these videos will encourage you to come and enjoy the whole concert on Saturday!

In rehearsal on Monday, June 7 at Old First Church, San Francisco:

AWARDS NEWS...

2010 marks the inaugural presentations of The American Prize. The American Prize is a series of new, non-profit national competitions unique in scope and structure, providing cash awards, professional adjudication and regional, national and international recognition. Each year, The American Prize rewards the best recorded performances of music by individuals and ensembles in the United States at the professional, community/amateur, college/university, church and school levels.

"...in cities large and small all across the United States, great music is being made–in schools and churches, in colleges and universities, and by community and professional musicians. The media does not always tell us about these artists, but they are there, entertaining audiences, educating young people, and contributing to the quality of life in the communities they serve. It is time their work was recognized. That is the reason for The American Prize..."

—Preamble to Creating the American Prize, 2008

SFGMC has been selected as a Choral Performance Finalist, and I have been selected as a Choral Conducting Finalist. Winners will be announced later this month. Fingers crossed! Even if we don't win, being selected as Finalists is a great honor as there were many applicants from across the United States.

Here is an excerpt from a media release published May 16, 2010:

12 of 22 COMMUNITY CHORUS SEMI-FINALISTS ADVANCED to FINAL ROUND
Twelve of twenty-two semi-finalists in the community chorus division for The American Prize in Choral Performance have been advanced to the final round of the competition. In making the announcement, chief judge David Katz was exuberant in his praise of the applicants.

"Of all the spring 2010 contests of The American Prize, the most exciting may be the competition for The American Prize in Choral Performance in the community chorus category. Just to select the twelve finalists from the original twenty-two was a challenge. Here is everything any judge could wish for—committed, exciting, vibrant and beautifully sung recordings in a broad repertoire, presenting a level of technical skill and bravura that is truly astonishing.

"If there is any area of music-making in this country that is too often overlooked by the broader national media, it may be our community choruses, and to that end, The American Prize hopes to help by offering regional, national and international visibility. Each ensemble is worthy of praise on its merits, worthy of our admiration, and our heartfelt thanks. We must pick a winner from among them all, but happily, the decision-making is shared. It will not be easy. Ultimately, in this company, there can be no loser." - David Katz, chief judge, The American Prize

To view a complete list of finalists, visit:
http://theamericanprize.blogspot.com/

SF LGBT Pride turns 40 this years, and as part of its celebrations, organizers have invited all of the Community Grand Marshals to be honored once more for their contributions towards 40 years of Pride in San Francisco. I was a Grand Marshal in 2006, so I will be one of the 40th Anniversary Grand Marshal this year. Keeps your eyes peeled for me in the Parade, also for SFGMC's fabulous Parade Float. The guys are really putting a lot into the Float this year!

KQED celebrates the richness and diversity of the greater San Francisco Bay Area by commemorating Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Month. In June, KQED Public Televison, KQED Public Radio, and KQED's digital television channels broadcast a special lineup of programs focused on LGBT themes and issues. For a listing of programs, visit kqed.org/heritage.

This year, I am proud and humbled that KQED has selected me as a 2010 LGBT Local Hero, along with Shane Snowdon (LGBT Resource Center, UCSF), Gloria Soliz (The Last Drag), and Anne Tamar-Mattis.(Advocates for Informed Choice). You are invited to attend the Awards Ceremony at the Castro Theatre on Tuesday, June 29, 6:30 pm. The ceremony will be followed immediately by a free screening of the film, The Castro. If you wish to attend, you must RSVP. Details are below.

FREE SCREENING OF "THE CASTRO"
KQED celebrates LGBT Pride month with a special free screening of their award-winning documentary The Castro. Join KQED President and CEO John L. Boland as KQED honors local heroes from our community, followed by a screening of "The Castro," the 90-minute documentary that tells the dramatic story of how a quiet corner of San Francisco became the cornerstone of a movement--an international symbol of gay liberation.

Tuesday, June 29, 2010, 6:30–8:30pm
The Castro Theatre, San Francisco
Please click here to RSVP and register for tickets

CALIFORNIA FREEDOM TOUR - 2ND LEG
On the weekend of Harvey Milk's Birthday, two bus loads of chorus members traveled to Fresno and Bakersfield, performing at the Tower Theatre and Fox Theatre in those cities. Performing to audiences of about 400 in each venue (exceeding our expected 300), the chorus brought its unique brand of fun and important messages to these conservative locales. In Fresno, SFGMC was joined by Fresno Gay Men's Chorus, and in Bakersfield, the Rainbow Voices.

Pictured above: SFGMC performs "If You Were Gay at the Tower Theatre, Fresno. Photo by Howard K. Watkins.

Sean Chapin put together the next video to commemorate SFGMC's participation in this first, official Harvey Milk Birthday day in California:

Below: SFGMC performs in Fresno, May 22, 2010

CD OF THE MONTH:
CALIFORNIA FREEDOM TOUR 2010
SFGMC's Summer Madness CD Sale continues (only $4.99 each for back catalog CD), AND you can avail yourself of SFGMC's brand new, hot off the press California Freedom Tour CD!

May 22 (Milk's birthday) was the release of SFGMC's California Freedom Tour CD, which was recorded on the first leg of the tour back in January, when the chorus visited Redding and Chico. The new CD features music from the Tour. Sales will help to cover the cost of touring so that local nonprofits as well as co-presenter PFLAG will benefit fully from the tour.

CD Insert Notes:
If there were ever any question as to the role that culture plays in social change, that question was answered by the Chorus and its partners when the 2010 California Freedom Tour debuted in Northern California in January.

Voices were raised, lives were changed, and hearts were opened on both sides of the footlights. Chorus members, audiences, local residents, and communities communicated in the universal language of music to begin a process of healing and change. The theatres were sold-out; audiences rose spontaneously - not once, not twice, but three times - as transformation after transformation moved them. The impact was immediate and palpable, and will continue to resonate in the lives of all who were touched by this memorable occasion.

We hoped that it would be an affirming experience for everyone touched by our music and energize grass roots organizing for social change. The tour – SFGMC’s gift to the people and communities of California – is exceeding our wildest dreams.

We shall always remember this time as a mountaintop experience and hope that, as you listen to the live, unedited magic, you will be inspired in your own personal quest for freedom.

- Dr. Kathleen McGuire, Artistic Director and Conductor
- Teddy Witherington, Executive Director
May 22, 2010

Tracks List:

California Here I Come
Seasons Of Love from Rent
In This Very Room
William’s Song
My Rising Up
Over The Rainbow from The Wizard Of Oz as performed by Israel Kamakawiwo'ole
If You Were Gay from Avenue Q
Michael's Letter To Mama from Tales of Michael Mouse
Abraham, Martin, John
Not In Our Town
Oh, Happy Day
Make Your Own Kind Of Music / New World Coming

MAY, 2010

2010-05-11T10:00:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends,

Thank you to everyone who came to our RockAria! concert in April. If rock music's not your thing, then you'll love our Classics Series concert in June. We're also gearing up for the second leg of our California Freedom Tour. This time, we're heading south to Fresno and Bakersfield.

This month:

Magnificat concert
CD of the month
California Freedom Tour 2nd Leg: Fresno & Bakersfield
Special dinner at Jardiniere

MAGNIFICAT - CLASSICS CONCERT
Saturday, June 12, 2 pm & 8 pm
Old First Presbyterian Church, 1751 Sacramento Street @ Van Ness Avenue

Those of you who have been fans of SFGMC for a while will remember that we performed John Rutter's exuberant Gloria at Home For The Holidays in 2004. It is included on our Home For The Holidays CD. We have another Rutter treat in store for you this summer: Rutter's glorious Magnificat.

2010 is the year of Rutter's 65th birthday, and also the 20th anniversary of his Magnificat, which received its world premiere at Carnegie Hall on May 26, 1990. The piece also has personal meaning for me. Since it's my tenth season with SFGMC, I wanted to include a work for which I had particular passion. I met John Rutter (pictured) in 1995 when I was in England. The subject of my master's dissertation was the Life and Music of John Rutter. Rutter agreed to meet me in person so that I could interview him for my study. His wife picked me up at the train station and drove me to their lovely home. I sat with Rutter for over an hour in his private studio. Rehearsing the music for Magnificat has been a real treat for me and for the singers. If you're not familiar with the work, here's a link to the FIRST MOVEMENT.

Since it was composed for men's and women's voices, we are joining forces for the very first time with the San Francisco Girls Chorus Alumnae, directed by Susan McMane. San Francisco Girls Chorus is highly revered as a world-class arts organization, having won many awards, including FIVE Grammys. Frederica Von Stade described them "as important to San Francisco as the Golden Gate Bridge." Founded in the same year as SFGMC, this will be the first time that our organizations have worked together.

Another "first" for this performance is the venue: Old First Presbyterian Church. Long established as one of San Francisco's finest classical music venues, it provides a stunning setting for this program. One of the Bay Area's most active independent concert series, Old First Concerts has been presenting performances of chamber and recital repertoire on a year-round basis since 1970. Artists are attracted by the excellent acoustics and the superb Steinway concert grand piano.

When you enter the building, take a moment to enjoy the lobby (exonarthex - pictured right) and read a small plaque. You will learn that the lobby was lovingly painted by a homeless man who offered his services as an artist if the church would take him in. After a time he died of AIDS, but he is remembered for this enduring contribution.

As well as the Magnificat, each of the choruses will perform a set of music on its own. SFGMC's set will include selections from our California Freedom Tour, plus Mendelssohn's "Thou Lord Our Refuge" and "Never Ever" from NakedMan.

Here is a sneak peek of the program notes:

San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus:

California Here I Come
By Al Jolson (1886 - 1950), Buddy G. DeSylva (1895 - 1950), and Joseph Meyer (1894 - 1987), arranged by Paul Saccone
Not In Our Town
by Fred Small (b. 1952), arranged by Kevin Robison
Mark Para, solo

Lux aurumque (Light of Gold)
Text by Edward Esch, Latin translation by Charles Anthony Silvestri, music by Eric Whitacre (b. 1970)
performed by Vocal Minority, sung in Latin

Poem by Edward Esch:

Light
Warm and heavy as pure gold
And the angels sing softly
To the newborn baby

Nella Fantasia (Gabrielle’s Oboe) from The Mission
by Ennio Morricone (b. 1928) and Chiara Ferraù, arranged by Alan Berrington and Tim Seelig
performed by The Lollipop Guild, sung in Italian

English translation:
In my imagination I see a just world,
Everyone lives in peace and in honesty there.
I dream of souls that are always free,
Like the clouds that fly,
Full of humanity in the depths of the soul.
In my imagination I see a bright world,
Even the night is less dark there.
I dream of souls that are always free,
Like clouds that fly.
In my imagination there exists a warm wind,
That breathes on the cities, like a friend.
I dream of souls that are always free,
Like clouds that fly,
Full of humanity in the depths of the soul.

Thou Lord Our Refuge
by Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy (1809 - 1847), arranged by Katherine K. Harris

Material Madrigirl
by Peter Brown (b. 1953) and Roberta Rans, arranged by Anne Albritton
conducted by Garry Hanna

Never Ever from NakedMan
by Philip Littell (b. 1950) and Robert Seeley (b. 1956)

SFGC Alumnae:
Susan McMane, Artistic Director
The Alumnae Chorus
Susan McMane, conductor
Susan Soehner, piano

Dona Nobis Pacem by Richard DeLong

Noël des enfants qui n’ont plus des maisons by Claude Debussy (1862-1918)

Workin’ for the Dawn of Peace - Civil War Songs, arr. Ron Jeffers

Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy by Don Raye and Hughie Prince, arr. Ed Lojeski

Over the Rainbow by Harold Arlen (1905-1986), arr. Ben Kendall

Notes and Translations:

Dona Nobis Pacem
American composer Richard DeLong combines the familiar, ancient Latin text with the English translation of the “Prayer for Peace” of St. Francis of Assisi. The gentle, yet slightly dissonant setting is a prayerful and powerful plea for peace.

Dona nobis pacem (Give us peace)
Where there is hatred, let us sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is discord, union;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, Hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
Where there is sadness, joy.
Grant that we may not so much seek to be consoled as to console,
to be understood, as to understand,
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned.

Noël des enfants qui n’ont plus de maisons
Claude Debussy (1862-1918) wrote both the words and music of this piece in 1915, amidst the chaos of World War I. Sung by the orphaned French children as they beg in the streets at Christmas time, it grimly depicts the horrible aftermath of war.

Nous n’avons plus de maisons!
Les ennemis ont tout pris,
Jusqu’à notre petit lit!

Ils ont brûlé l’école et notre maître aussi.
Ils ont brûlé l’église et monsieur Jésus Christ,
Et le vieux pauvre qui n’a pas pu s’en aller.

Bien sûr! Papa est á la guerre
Pauvre maman est morte!
Avant d’avoir vu tout ça.
Qu’est c’que l’on va faire?

Noël! Petit noël!
N’allez pas chez eux,
N’allez plus jamais chez eux,
Punissez-les!

Vengez les enfants de France!
Les petits Belges, les petits Serbes,
Et les petits Polonais aussi!
Se nous en oublions, pardonnez-nous.
Noël! Noël!

Surtout, pas de joujoux,
Tâchez de nous redonner le pain quotidian
Pour les petits Belges, pour les petits Serbes,
Pour les petits Polonais aussi

English translation:

We no longer have homes!
Enemies took all we had,
Even our own little bed!

The school they burnt; they burnt our teacher too.
They burnt the church and Mister Jesus Christ,
The poor old beggar too, who could not get away!

Surely Daddy has gone to the war,
Poor Mommy is in Heaven!
Died and before having seen all this.

What shall we do now?
Santa! dear Santa!
Don’t go to their houses,
Don’t go back to them ever,
Punish them all!

Avenge the children of France!
The little Belgians, the little Serbians,
And the Polish children, too!
Yet should we forget some, pray forgive us!
Noël! Noël!

No toys! We want no toys!
But may we please get back again our daily bread!
For the little Belgians, for the little Serbians,
For the Polish children too!

Workin’ for the Dawn of Peace
This piece is an arrangement of two famous Civil War songs by Oregon composer and publisher Ron Jeffers. The first song, “Two Brothers,” depicts the mournful story of two brothers fighting on different sides of the war. Jeffers combines this lament with “Tenting Tonight,” originally published as “Tenting on the Old Camp Ground” by singer Walter Kittredge (1834-1905). Kittredge was drafted into the Union army in 1863, and his piece became popular with both civilians and soldiers on both sides. The last line of the song, “waitin’ for the dawn of peace,” is the hopeful strain that ties the pieces together to illustrate the human desire for war to cease.

“Two Brothers”
Two brothers on their way,
one wore blue and one wore gray.

One wore blue and one wore gray,
as they marched along their way,
the fife and drum began to play,
all on a beautiful mornin’.

One was gentle, one was kind,
one came home, one stayed behind.

One wore blue and one wore gray,
as they marched along their way,
the fife and drum began to play,
all on a beautiful mornin’.

“Tentin’ Tonight”
Many are the hearts that are weary tonight,
waitin’ for the war to cease,
many are the hopes, the hopes once high and bright,
that sleep with those at peace.

Waitin’ tonight, workin’ tonight,
workin’ that the war might cease!
O many are the hearts that are working for the right,
waitin’ for the dawn of peace.

Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy
"Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy", a wartime radio song about a virtuoso trumpet player, is an iconic World War II tune written in 1941, and made popular by the Andrews Sisters. It was recorded a year before the United States entered the war, after the start of the peacetime draft that was put into place to expand the armed forces in anticipation of American involvement.

Over the Rainbow
This familiar song, made famous by Judy Garland, was first heard in the 1939 MGM film The Wizard of Oz. Harold Arlen’s melody, which contains an octave leap in the first two notes, exquisitely matches text by E.Y. Harburg. The song remains a favorite of audiences today.

Act II:

Magnificat
by John Rutter (b. 1945)
Traditional Latin and 15th century English texts
Chamber orchestra: members of the Community Women's Orchestra

I. Magnificat anima mea
II. Of a rose, a lovely rose
III. Quia fecit mihi magna
IV. Et misericoridia
V. Fecit potentiam
VI. Esurientes
VII. Gloria patri

English translation:

I. My soul doth magnify the Lord:
and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.
For he hath regarded the lowliness of his handmaiden:
for behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.

III. For he that is mighty hath magnified me:and holy is his Name.
Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God of hosts.
Heaven and earth are filled with thy glory.
Hosanna in the highest.

IV. And his mercy is on them that fear him throughout all generations.

V. He hath shewed strength with his arm:
he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
He hath put down the mighty from their seat, and hath exalted the
humble and meek.

VI. He hath filled the hungry with good things:
and the rich he hath sent empty away.
He remembering his mercy hath holpen his servant Israel.
As he promised to our forefathers,
Abraham and his seed for ever.

VII. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Holy Mary, succour those in need,
help the fainthearted, support the weak:
pray for the laity, assist the clergy,
intercede for all devout women:
may all feel the power of your help,
whoever prays for your holy aid. Alleluia.
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen.

(English Translation of the Magnificat from the 1662 Book of Common Prayer.)

More About the San Francisco Girls Chorus Alumnae:
For over 30 years, the San Francisco Girls Chorus has been recognized as one of the world’s most respected choral organizations. Musicians, critics, and audiences laud its level of training, performance, quality, range, and leadership in commissioning new music for treble voices. Thousands of women have been trained in exemplary choral singing through the organization’s Chorus School and professional level performing ensembles.

The mission of the Alumnae Chorus is to enhance and expand the opportunities for musical growth for SFGC alumnae and to continue the organization’s mission of excellence in music performance and education. Now in its third season, the auditioned ensemble of talented, dedicated alumnae, give three concerts each year in the Bay Area.

The San Francisco Girls Chorus is a regional center for choral music education and performance for girls and young women ages 5-18. Four hundred singers from 45 Bay Area cities participate in this internationally recognized program, deemed “a model in the country for training girls’ voices” by the California Arts Council. The organization consists of a professional level performance, recording and touring ensemble and the Alumnae Chorus, both conducted by Artistic Director Susan McMane; the four-level Chorus School training program, supervised by Director Elizabeth Avakian; and a Preparatory Chorus for 5-7 year olds.

SFGC has won many honors, including five Grammy® awards, the prestigious Margaret Hillis Award, and two ASCAP Awards for Adventurous Programming. The Girls Chorus is invited annually to perform with musical organizations including San Francisco Opera, San Francisco Symphony, Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra, and others. The Chorus has been honored to sing at many national and international venues, including the World Choral Symposium in Kyoto, Japan in 2005. SFGC has been featured at the American Choral Directors Association Western Division Convention in Salt Lake City and represented North America in the prestigious World Vision Children’s Choir Festival in Seoul, Korea, and in the Gateway to Music Festival at the Forbidden City Concert Hall in Beijing. In it’s 30th Anniversary season, 2008-2009, the SFGC was selected to sing on the U.S. Capitol steps for President Barack Obama’s swearing-in ceremony, and also, to perform a debut concert at Alice Tully Hall at New York’s Lincoln Center.

CD OF THE MONTH & SUMMER MADNESS SALE!
This month our featured CD is Divas' Revenge: Opera And Broadway Our Way. Recorded at Davies Symphony Hall in 2005, Divas’ Revenge - Opera and Broadway Our Way was the highly successful spring concert of the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus’s 27th Season. Joining forces for the first time with the Community Women’s Orchestra proved to be a wonderful collboration. The selections on this CD will take you on a journey from the sublime to the ridiculous, with some very traditional fare receiving some not-so-traditional (but oh, so San Francisco!) treatment.

Act I features selections spanning almost three hundred years of operatic repertoire. If you think opera’s not really your thing, you may be surprised by how much of this is familiar to you. Borodin’s Polovtsian Dances, for instance, includes music that was adapted in the musical Kismet, and the Humming Chorus from Madama Butterfly became the basis for the hit song from the Broadway musical, Les Miserables. SFGMC’s ensemble, The Lollipop Guild, will help deepen your understanding with an hilarious examination of how opera can be fun, and if that’s not enough, we have our own Three Tenors singing "Nessun dorma." Move over, Pavarotti!

Act II brings us to the modern era of musical theater (1927-2003), with Broadway tunes you know and love plus a few new gems. When the chorus members were asked to list their favorite Broadway tunes of all time, the overwhelming subject was songs that spoke to them as gay men. Imagine, if you will, “Tonight” as the setting not for a fight, but for 200 homosexuals “armed” with hair products getting ready for a night on the town! “Get Me to the Church on Time” and selections from The Sound of Music are the backdrop for the marriage of a reluctant tuxedo-ed gay man and a drag queen (Donna Sachet), presided over by San Francisco’s Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence! With a little bit of luck - and imagination - you’ll soon see that we certainly do opera, and Broadway, “our way.”

CD SUMMER MADNESS SALE!
To help you stretch your entertainment dollar, and keep you and your friends in music all summer long, SFGMC is having a one-time only CD sale at one-time only sale prices. SFGMC's entire back catalog of CDs is on sale from now until August 31 for $4.99. This represents a 66% - 83% savings from retail pricing, AND is way less than the cost of buying the same titles on iTunes. The full SFGMC CD Catalog is available HERE.

CALIFORNIA FREEDOM TOUR - 2ND LEG: FRESNO & BAKERSFIELD
Recognizing Harvey Milk's birthday (May 22), the 2nd leg of our highly successful California Freedom Tour takes place the weekend of May 22 and May 23. Please spread the word and help us fill the houses! The second leg of the tour is presented in partnership with Central California Alliance and Bakersfield LGBTQ. The concert will be presented at the Tower Theatre in Fresno on Harvey Milk Day, May 22 and at the Fox Theater in Bakersfield Sunday, May 23. Full details are listed below.

This is the first time that San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus has embarked upon a tour of California and the first time that the Chorus is collaborating with local charities in these communities to raise funds to help them with their work. 100% of all concert proceeds will be invested back into local community programs. The objective is to reach out to diverse communities in the universal language of music with an inspiring and affirming message of acceptance.

The final leg of the tour will take the Chorus to Vallejo, July 10, at the Empress Theatre.

Fresno, CA
Saturday, May 22, 2010, 7:30 PM
Tower Theatre
815 E. Olive Avenue
Fresno, CA
With Special Guest: Fresno Gay Men’s Chorus
Benefiting Central California Alliance

Bakersfield, CA
Sunday, May 23, 2010, 2 PM
Fox Theater
2001 "H" Street
Bakersfield, CA
With Special Guest: Rainbow Voices of Bakersfield
Benefiting Bakersfield LGBTQ

SPECIAL DINNER AT JARDINIERE
On April 20, Jardiniere hosted a special dinner in honor of my tenth season with SFGMC, which was also a fund raiser for SFGMC. Among the two dozen guests were Dennis Coleman (conductor of the Seattle Men's and Women's Choruses - pictured) and Marriage Equality USA's Molly McKay. I am extremely grateful to everyone who attended or contributed to the event, and also to Jardiniere for generously hosting the dinner.

Kathleen McGuire & Dennis Coleman

Photo by Steven Underhill

APRIL, 2010

2010-04-08T13:38:00.000-07:00

DEAR FRIENDS,

In this month's issue:

Sneak preview: RockAria! Concert
SFGMC Partners with Mission High School
Out And Loud Choral Festival, New Zealand
CD of the Month

SNEAK PREVIEW: ROCKARIA! CONCERT
On Thursday, April 22, 8 pm, SFGMC will present RockAria! at Davies Symphony Hall. We will encourage you to take your seat and fasten your seatbelt as together we fuse classic rock, choral music, choreography and social media on an epic scale. During the concert, we will give you cues to take photos, post, and tweet so that you can share the experience with your friends! And, speaking of (new) friends, we are excited to welcome our special guests, the Mission High School Chorus (read on - more details about this below).

The songs in our program represent the four decades in which SFGMC has existed. Following on from the success of last year’s ‘60s concert, Tune In, Turn Up, Sing Out, members of the chorus were eager this year to bring you some of their favorites from the ‘70s to the present day. Narrowing down four decades was certainly a challenge; the songs selected are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the many wonderful tunes that have created the soundtracks of our lives.

The chorus has been working hard for months not only practicing their music, but also rehearsing complicated choreographed routines. The full chorus will dance, plus a group of specialty dancers (trained by our very talented Steve Valdez) will "wow" you as only SFGMC can! Also joining us on stage will be Cheer SF.

Our program is divided into several categories. We begin with Classic Rock, including our concert title piece, “Rockaria!” by the Electric Light Orchestra. ELO’s quintessential strings are restored here by members of the Community Women’s Orchestra, who appear again in Act II. Also in Act I are songs made famous by Women In Rock, and artists who found their roots in the Motown label and Rhythm and Blues. Mission High School Chorus brings us “Love” by Kirk Franklin. Although this is a gospel/R&B rather than rock selection, R&B hits have crossed over into the rock arena since the ‘60s.

In Act II, we bring you hits made famous by bands from the San Francisco Bay Area, Rock Ballads, a fabulous Rockin’ Sing-Along Medley, and hits of the New Millennium. Gay artists are represented along the way via Freddie Mercury ("Somebody to Love", "We Will Rock You"), Elton John ("Crocodile Rock"), and if you list very carefully, you may even hear a tribute to recently "out" Puerto Rican singer, Ricky Martin (pictured right).

Here's is complete list of the program, including 29 fabulous rock hits. I look forward to seeing you on April 22 for a very special, high-energy night of incredible entertainment!

RockAria! Act 1

CLASSIC ROCK

Rockaria!
by Jeff Lynn (Electric Light Orchestra), arranged by Kathleen McGuire
Solo: Erik Green (Ken Graham) / Frank Federico (Chris Wardell)

Living On A Prayer
by Jon Bon Jovi, Richie Sambora and Desmond Child (Bon Jovi), arranged by Tim Sarsany

Leave It
by Trevor Horn, Trevor Rabin, and Chris Squire (YES), performed by The Lollipop Guild
Paul Saccone, Music Director

Somebody to Love
by Freddie Mercury (Queen), arranged by Kathleen McGuire
Solo: Edward Moose Maravilla (Jose “Sapo” Lizarraga)

WOMEN IN ROCK

Venus
by Robbie van Leeuwen (Shocking Blue), arranged by Kathleen McGuire

Material Madrigirl
by Peter Brown and Roberta Rans (Madonna), arranged by Anne Albritton, conducted by Garry Hanna (Assistant Conductor)

Mickey
by Michael Chapman and Nicky Chinn (Toni Basil), arranged by Steve Milloy, choreography by Sanford Smith
Special Guests: Cheer SF

RHYTHM & BLUES

Don’t You Worry ’Bout A Thing
by Stevie Wonder, arranged by Steve Milloy, performed by Vocal Minority
Carl Pantle, Music Director

Love
by Kirk Franklin, directed by Steven Hankle, performed by Mission High School Chorus
Pianist: Eric Young

MICHAEL JACKSON MEDLEY
arranged by Kurt Schneider, re-voiced for men’s chorus by Kathleen McGuire
originally performed by Sam Tsui on YouTube

Solo: Gregory J. Gorman / Edwin Morales / Oky Sulistio
Beatbox: Joseph Klaypeen S. Peralta

I’ll Be There
by Berry Gordy, Bob West, Hal Davis, and Willie Hutch

Man In The Mirror
by Siedah Garrett and Glen Ballar

Thriller
by Rod Temperton

Beat It
by Michael Jackson

Smooth Criminal
by Michael Jackson

Billie Jean
by Michael Jackson

RockAria! Act 2

SAN FRANCISCO ROCK

Don’t Stop Believin’
by Steve Perry, Neal Schon and Jonathan Cain (Journey), arranged by Adam Anders and Tim Davis, re-voiced for men’s chorus by Kathleen McGuire

Black Water
by Patrick Simmons (Doobie Brothers), arranged by Tim Sarsany

GREAT ROCK BALLADS
arranged by Kathleen McGuire
Solo: Jimmy White (Robbie Huddleston)
Recorder: Asa Stern
Stairway To Heaven by Jimmy Page and Robert Plant (Led Zeppelin)
Two Out of Three Ain’t Bad by Jim Steinman (Meat Loaf)
Eternal Flame by Billy Steunberg, Tom Kelly, and Susanna Hoffs (The Bangles)
A Horse With No Name by Dewey Bunnell (America)

ROCKIN’ SING-ALONG MEDLEY
arranged by Kathleen McGuire
Solo: Terrence J. McLaughlin (Stephen Camarota) / Sean Chapin (Steve Garber)
Rock And Roll All Nite by Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons (KISS)
I Love Rock ‘N’ Roll by Alan Merrill and Jake Hooker (Joan Jett)
We Will Rock You by Brian May (Queen)
It’s Still Rock And Roll To Me by Billy Joel
Crocodile Rock by Elton John and Bernie Taupin, arranged by Tim Sarsany

NEW MILLENIUM ROCK

Viva La Vida
by Guy Berryman, Jim Buckland, Will Champion and Chris Martin (Coldplay), arranged by Kathleen McGuire

I Gotta Feeling
by Will Adams, Allan Pineda, Jaime Gomez, Stacy Ferguson, David Guetta and Frederic Reisterer (The Black Eyed Peas), arranged by Mark Brymer, re-voiced for men’s chorus by Kathleen McGuire
Performed with Mission High School Chorus

Single Ladies (Put a Ring On It)
by Thaddis Harrell Jr., Beyoncé Knowles, Terius Nash, Christopher A. Stewart (Beyoncé Knowles), arranged by Steve Milloy

SFGMC PARTNERS WITH MISSION HIGH SCHOOL
For five years, Mission High School in San Francisco was without a music program. Recently, however, the school's new principal, Eric Gutherz, hired choral director Steven Hankle and the music program has come back to life. SFGMC is devoted to encouraging music education in schools, and is presenting a special lunchtime preview concert at Mission High School on Thursday, April 15. The concert will include selections from SFGMC's RockAria! concert. The 65-voice Mission High School Chorus will sing with SFGMC the Black Eyed Peas' hit, "I Gotta Feeling." Last week, I visited the school and taught the song to some of the students. Mission High School is a mostly African-American and Hispanic student body, and although there is a Gay-Straight Alliance group at the school, most students have little interaction with the LGBT individuals or the nearby Castro neighborhood.

The preview concert will be presented in the school auditorium for the entire school 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.

CD OF THE MONTH: SFGMC DOES QUEEN
In April, 2002, SFGMC presented a tribute to Freddie Mercury and the British Rock Band: Queen. A CD was made of the concert, and we pressed 3000 copies, all of which sold in the next few years, making it one of the most successful CDs in SFGMC's history. All of the tracks are now available online via such outlets as iTunes. This month, SFGMC will reprise a couple of arrangements from this album in the RockAria! concert, most notably the epic anthem "Somebody To Love." Portland Gay Men's Chorus is also planning a performance later this month including most of the Queen concert (paired with selections from SFGMC's ExtrABBAganza).

OUT AND LOUD CHORAL FESTIVAL, NEW ZEALAND
In Auckland, New Zealand, April 2 - 4, 2010, the first ever gay and lesbian choral festival was held. I was fortunate to attend (representing the Gay And Lesbian Association of Choruses) and participate as conductor of the American Compilation Choir. This was also a "first," as it was the first time individuals had traveled from the United States to participate in the antipodean festival that had previously been held in Sydney (2001) and Melbourne (2007). The small group of singers from the US (pictured below, including SFGMC member Gary Kukus) were supplemented by singers from Melbourne, Canberra, and Auckland, resulting in a group of about 25 singers in all. We performed "Will I" from the musical Rent, and Bernice Johnson Reagon's "We Are the Ones" from the vocal ensemble, Sweet Honey In The Rock.

The Festival included workshops for chorus leaders and for singers, and a gala finale concert at the Auckland Town Hall. All ten participating choruses from around Australia and New Zealand performed in the concert as individual groups, and they also joined forces as a massed chorus of over 200 singers. The massed chorus opened the concert, performing "One Voice" (which had been written for the Gay Games in Sydney in 2002) and "Pokare Kare Ana" (a traditional Maori song), conducted by Stephen Bowness (Music Director, Gay And Lesbian Singers, Auckland). The massed chorus also performed at the end of the concert, premiering a stirring new commission by New Zealand composer David Hamilton for two mixed choirs and featuring the newly-refurbished organ and the recorded sound of a native bird. The concert, before an audience of over 500, concluded with my arrangement of "Anthem" from the musical Chess, which had been performed previously at the Opening Ceremony of Gay Games in Chicago in 2006.

The choruses that participated in the festival included:

American Compilation Choir (formed for the Festival)
Brisbane Lesbian and Gay Pride Choir, Australia
Canberra Gay and Lesbian Qwire, Aust.
Gay & Lesbian Singers, Auckland, New Zealand
GLOW Singers, Hamilton, NZ
Gay and Lesbian Singers of Western Australia
Homophones, Wellington, NZ
Melbourne Gay & Lesbian Chorus, Aust.
Outloud Gay & Lesbian Choir, Cairns, Aust.
Sydney Gay & Lesbian Choir, Aust.

Guest conductor Dr. Karen Grylls (pictured right) directed the final two pieces. Grylls is Associate Head of Undergraduate Studies, Associate Professor in Conducting, and Head of Choral Studies at the University of Auckland. She took up the position of Artistic Director of the New Zealand Youth Choir in 1989, and founded Voices New Zealand in 1998. In addition to being the current Artistic Director of both these national choirs, Dr. Grylls also directs the University of Auckland Chamber Choir.

A graduate of both Otago and Auckland Universities, Dr. Grylls studied post-graduate Conducting and Music Theory at the University of Washington, Seattle. In 1985 she returned to New Zealand to teach at the University of Auckland, and to take up the directorship of the Auckland Dorian Choir. Under Dr. Grylls' leadership, both the New Zealand Youth Choir and Voices New Zealand have enjoyed notable international successes. Dr. Grylls has many CD recordings to her credit and is in demand as an adjudicator and choral clinician.

MARCH, 2010

2010-03-08T15:18:00.000-08:00

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:

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.

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.

FEBRUARY, 2010

2010-02-10T09:45:00.001-08:00

This month in From The Podium:

Lights, Camera, Action! Ensembles Concert at UNION SQUARE!
CD of the Month
CA Freedom Tour - the first leg in review
RockAria! gets underway at retreat
Annual chorus awards presented by board of directors

LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION! Ensembles Concert at UNION SQUARE, Saturday, March 6 - 4pm & 8 pm, Marines' Memorial Theatre - The Lollipop Guild & Vocal Minority, with special guest JAN WAHL
Kicking off our 32nd Season, and joined by movie reviewer Jan Wahl, SFGMC's feature ensembles - The Lollipop Guild and Vocal Minority - will entertain with hit songs made famous in the movies. The program ranges from the Bee Gees' Saturday Night Fever to light-hearted favorites from Disney movies. I have to say I've never heard our two ensembles sound better. Under the direction of Paul Saccone and Carl Pantle, their respective of ensembles are truly a showcase for SFGMC. The two groups will perform one their own and also combined, with almost 50 men onstage. They will be supported by a 3-piece band, including myself on bass. We are also thrilled to be partnering with the Academy of Friends, which will benefit from concert proceeds.

One of the most exciting this about this concert is the location in UNION SQUARE!

NEW VENUE: I have already fallen in love with the Marines' Memorial Theatre, the venue for this season's ensembles concert. For the first time ever, SFGMC will perform at Union Square's Theatre District. The staff at the Theatre has been extremely welcoming. This is a fully professional theatre with an historic lobby adorned with movie star posters - the perfect setting for Lights, Camera, Action!

GETTING THERE: The theatre is located at 609 Sutter Street at Mason Street.

There are several reasonably priced parking lots within a block of the Theatre, and the Sutter-Stockton Parking Garage is also close by if you want to walk a few minutes and pay even less for parking. And of course public transportation is always an option!

DINING/COCKTAILS: We have timed our two performances so that you can dine out or enjoy a cocktail after the 4 pm performance or before the 8 pm performance. The Marines' Memorial Club has a bar and restaurant right upstairs: Leatherneck Steakhouse & Lounge. I ate there recently and enjoyed not only a wonderful (and reasonably priced) meal, but a great view of the city!
To view a menu, go to: http://www.marineclub.com/images/pages/LSHmenu_AUG2009.pdf

The service was excellent in this classic, refurbished historic building. Happy Hour is 4 - 6 pm daily. To make reservations at the Leatherneck Steakhouse, call (415) 673-6672 ext. 254.

CD OF THE MONTH - COWBOYS, BOAS & BEARS, OH MY!
Featuring our two fabulous ensembles, The Lollipop Guild and Vocal Minority, this CD is an energetic journey of classic and contemporary country and Western favorites. Yep, we got both kinds o' music here!

In November, 2005, SFGMC's ensembles presented a remarkable concert of boot-scootin' cowboy music. Not only was it the first time the Chorus had included a concert of ensembles as part of its season, the event at the ODC Theater was an enormous success and audiences begged for a recording. Their wish came true!

The music on this CD includes selections from that concert, along with some special additions. “Truck Drivin' Man” was part of the ensembles’ repertoire on tour to Washington DC in May, 2006, celebrating the 25th Anniversary of the Gay Men's Chorus of Washington DC (which formed as a result of SFGMC's 1981 National Tour). "Louisiana" was performed by an expanded group including three ensembles–with the Chorus's newest ensemble, del Castro, and soloist Asa DeMatteo – in December 2005 as homage to those who suffered in the wake of Hurricane Katrina and the ensuing devastating floods of September, 2005.

One of my personal favorites on the CD is the Dixie Chicks' "Cowboy, Take Me Away," arranged by SFGMC's own Tony McIntosh, and including violinist Anne Nesbet (concert master of the Community Women's Orchestra). Another is "The Ballad of Mrs. Nash" from SFGMC's 1996 commission, NakedMan, by Robert Seeley and Philip Littel.

The men of the ensembles – including singers, conductors and pianists – are all members of SFGMC and rehearse year-round with their respective ensembles as well as with the larger Chorus. This CD is a tribute not only to the "Cowboys" concert, but also to the men of the ensembles who give so much of their time and talent.

Track List:

Cowboy Take Me Away
That Good Old Country Music
Country Music!
San Antonio Rose
Are You Lonesome Tonight?
I Can't Stop Loving You
Rocky Top
Truck Drivin' Man
Ghost Riders In The Sky
Home On The Range
Lyin' Eyes
1878 - The Ballad of Mrs. Nash
Forever and Ever Amen
Dedication
Louisiana 1927

CA FREEDOM TOUR - IN REVIEW
The first leg of our CA Freedom Tour took us to Redding on Saturday, January 30, and Chico on Sunday, January 31. 100 men of the chorus traveled in two buses - along with members of the press - and were received by sold-out houses and standing ovations. The tour exceeded our wildest dreams! In Redding and in Chico, the members mixed with audience after each performance (the pic of me to the right was taken at the reception in Redding with an audience member), and heard heart-warming story after story from the lives of those who were so deeply affected by our concert.

Below are two links where you can experience part of the tour. The first includes video footage from a performance and some behind-the-scenes images. The second is a link to the San Francisco Chronicle's front page article about the tour (published February 1, 2010).

http://www.norcalpride.org/

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2010/02/01/MND31BQG14.DTL

We are grateful to everyone who participated in the Tour, and also to those who made it possible through their generous donations. There will be additional costs to defray in the coming months for subsequent legs of the Tour, and also the CD we're producing, so please contact our office or our Donations page online if you would like to make a contribution.

ROCKARIA! GETS UNDERWAY AT RETREAT
February 5 - 7, members of SFGMC attended a rehearsal retreat at Camp Newman, north of Santa Rosa. We rehearsed music for our spring concert, RockAria! The program includes rock music from the '70s through to the present, including a Rockin' Sing-Along that opens with the KISS classic "Rock And Roll All Nite" and ends with Elton John's "Crocodile Rock." A stunning a cappella Michael Jackson medley has the chorus in as many as 12 different vocal parts, and Beyonce's Grammy Award winning "Single Ladies" promises to be a big hit (complete with choreography, of course). RockAria! will be presented at Davies Symphony Hall on Thursday, April 22, 2010. Tickets for the whole 32nd Season are now on sale.

ANNUAL CHORUS AWARDS PRESENTED BY BOARD OF DIRECTORS
SFGMC's annual meeting was held on Monday, February 8. Two awards were presented:

The tenth annual John B. McLeod Leadership Award was presented to Thom Vindiola (pictured left, with president Michael Tate). Thom is one of those "behind the scenes" volunteers whose work is essential but is largely invisible to the public. Thom joined as a singing member in September, 1999. A few years later he stepped down as a singing member, and has continued to serve on our Production Committee ever since. In particular, he has served regularly as our Stage Manager, bringing his expertise from his “other” life as a Color Guard Director and Designer. He has also contributed countless bolts of fabric, sewed costumes, helped with choreography... the list goes on and on. When receiving the award, Thom said that the chorus literally saved his life. We are indeed grateful to Thom for his many years of service to SFGMC.

The award is named after former SFGMC member and long-time president, John B. McLeod, and is given to a volunteer who has made outstanding leadership contributions to the organization. Past recipients of the John B. McLeod Leadership Award:

2000: Gary Richards
2001: Roy Jenkins
2002: Brian Armbrust
2003: Bud Dillon
2004: Edward John Munoz
2005: Steve Valdez
2006: Kevin Jones & Kevin Koerner
2007: Jim Haungs
2008: Tom Burtch
2009: Thom Vindiola

Inaugural JON REED SIMS AWARD for Outstanding Artistic Contribution
This award, named after SFGMC founder Jon Reed Sims, was awarded to Paul Saccone (pictured left). As music director of The Lollipop Guild, Paul has taken the group to new heights musically and in representing SFGMC admirably in new and varied milieu. TLG has grown significantly in size and in stature, serving as a showcase for our organization. Paul conducted The Lollipop Guild on two ensemble CDs: Cowboys, Boas and Bears, Oh My! and A Few Licks, and also on other CDs with the full chorus. He has toured with TLG to GALA Choruses Festivals in Montreal and Miami. He led The Lollipop Guild on tour to Various Voices in London, marking SFGMC's European debut in May, 2009.

As assistant conductor, Paul has taken on additional responsibilities, such as directing all three performances of the full chorus on December 24, 2008, during my sabbatical. He has also composed numerous music arrangements for TLG and for the full chorus, also as a volunteer. He has given of his time and talent generously and to great effect. He is a most worthy recipient of this inaugural award.

JANUARY, 2010

2010-01-15T17:27:00.000-08:00

Dear Friends,

In this issue, read about:

California Freedom Tour begins this month
**NEW FEATURE: CD of the Month, FREE TRACK**
Home For The Holidays in review
New Member Auditions

CALIFORNIA FREEDOM TOUR BEGINS THIS MONTH!
The passage of Prop 8 showed that there is still a great deal of work to be done in our own backyard when it comes to acceptance of the LGBT community. The Chorus changes hearts and minds in places where our voices need to be heard. We believe that to accept us, you must know us. It is by telling our stories, and through our culture, that this happens. In 2010, SFGMC will embark on a tour of five California cities: Redding, Chico, Fresno, Bakersfield, and Tracy. The tour is in three trips with the first leg in Chico and Redding later this month; the second will take us to Fresno and Bakersfield in May. The final leg will be Tracy in July.

Approximately 100 chorus members will travel by bus to each destination. Funds are still being sought to underwrite the trip. If you feel inclined to make a contribution, please contact the SFGMC office: Ph 415-865-3650; info@sfgmc.org

TOUR BENEFICIARIES
The tour is being co-presented by Parents, Families & Friends of Lesbian & Gays. 50% of the proceeds from the concerts will be going to PFLAG, and the other 50% to local LGBT-friendly organizations.

REDDING, JANUARY 30, 2010 - 7:30 pm
Cascade Theatre
Benefiting PFLAG and Shasta County Arts Council
TICKETS: CascadeTheatre.com / 530-243-8877

Venue: The Cascade Theatre was constructed in downtown Redding in 1935 as a movie palace and vaudeville stage. One of the few theatres built during the heart of the depression, the Cascade Theatre is a magnificent example of California's art deco architecture. A major community-based campaign to restore the theatre was completed in 2004. Updated with state-of-the-art lighting and sound equipment, it the place to be seen and heard in Redding, with a seating capacity of 999.

Local Partner: The Shasta County Arts Council (SCAC) was established in 1981 as a non-profit corporation to promote artistic awareness and participation in the Shasta County area. www.ShastaArtsCouncil.org

CHICO, JANUARY 31, 2010 - 2 pm
Harlen Adams Theatre, California State University Chico (CSUC)
Benefiting PFLAG and Stonewall Alliance Center
TICKETS: ChicoPerformances.com / 530-898-6333

Venue: Harlen Adams Theatre is the principle performing arts venue of Chico School of Arts at CSUC, with a seating capacity of 486.

Local partner: The Stonewall Alliance Center (SAC) was formed in 1990 to create a safe space for the gay and lesbian, bisexual and transgender community of Butte County and the Northern Sacramento Valley. Established in 1992. wwwStonewallChico.org

SPECIAL GUESTS
On the first leg of the Tour, SFGMC will be joined by special guests, Doin' It Justice - a mixed community chorus based in Chico. Doin' It Justice, directed by Warren Haskell, is dedicated to promoting peace and justice, sharing the love of music, improving their members singing ability, and inspiring others. Just three years old, they are now a member of the Gay and Lesbian Association of Choruses.

RADIO BROADCAST
KCHO Radio, the Public Radio Station of CSUC, will recording the Chico performance. The edited program will be broadcast at a later date on national public radio.

CD RECORDING
Music from the tour will be compiled into a special CA Freedom Tour CD, including:

We Are Coming Out
By SFGMC member Sean Chapin (premiere)

California Here I Come
By Al Jolson, Buddy De Silva, and Joseph Mey, arranged by SFGMC assistant conductor Paul Saccone (premiere)

Seasons Of Love from Rent
By Jonathan Larson, arranged by Paul Saccone

In This Very Room
By Ron Harris, Carol Harris, arranged by Kathleen McGuire

William’s Song
My Rising Up
From New World Waking - Songs On The Road To Peace
By Steve Schalchlin, arranged by Kathleen McGuire

Over The Rainbow from The Wizard Of Oz
By Harold Arlen and E.Y. Harburg, arranged by Kathleen McGuire

If You Were Gay from Avenue Q
By Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx
Arranged by Alex Rybeck

Michael's Letter To Mama from Tales of Michael Mouse
Words by Armistead Maupin, music by David Maddux

Abraham, Martin, John
By Richard Holler

Not In Our Town
By Fred Small, arranged by Kevin Robison
Artwork by students at Orion Elementary School, Redwood City, CA

Oh, Happy Day
By Edwin R. Hawkins
Arranged by Kathleen McGuire

Make Your Own Kind Of Music / New World Coming
By Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil, arranged by Danny Ray

NEW FEATURE: CD OF THE MONTH
Each month in From The Podium, I will select a "CD of the Month" from SFGMC's collection, along with a free track to download, plus a 20% discount if you purchase the CD from SFGMC's website!

This month's CD is A Few Licks - SFGMC's first mega-single, featuring The Lollipop Guild, directed by Paul Saccone. The Lollipop Guild began in 1979 and is the world's oldest sub-set ensemble of a gay chorus. Each year, our ensembles perform a concert of their own as part of the SFGMC season (this year's is Lights, Camera, Action, featuring The Lollipop Guild and Vocal Minority, March 7, 2010, at the Marines Memorial Theatre). The Lollipop Guild is an ensemble of more than two dozen members of SFGMC, which specializes is performing a cappella. A Few Licks includes songs recorded at the 2008 ensembles concert. Tracks include:

Up The Ladder To The Roof
Danny Boy
Africa
Lullaby
Goodnight, Sweetheart

Your free download for this month is the traditional Irish favorite, "Danny Boy." To get the free download, email info@sfgmc.org with "Danny Boy" in the subject line and you will receive an email from yousendit.com with details of how to download the file. This offer remains open until midnight on January 26, 2010. Please allow 5 business days for fulfillment.

HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS IN REVIEW
Last month, we celebrated the 20th annual Home For The Holidays in nine performances. The holiday season included our annual tour to Modesto, Santa Rosa, and Santa Cruz. SFGMC has toured since 2001, helping to raise over $400,000 for local charities.

Tour highlights, December 2009:

December 5, Modesto Jr. College, Modesto
SFGMC with guests: Lesbian/Gay Chorus of San Francisco
Beneficiary: Stanislaus Community Assistance Project

December 12, Santa Rosa - Center For Spiritual Living
SFGMC and The Lollipop Guild
Beneficiary: Face To Face/Sonoma County AIDS Network

December 19, Santa Cruz - First Congregational Church
SFGMC and Vocal Minority
Beneficiaries: GLBT Endowment, First Congregational Church & Santa Cruz AIDS Project

In San Francisco, performances were held at First Unitarian Universalist Church, December 15, 16, and 17, and the season ended with our traditional three performances on Christmas Eve at the Castro Theatre.

At the 9 pm performance on December 24, we were joined once again by the Lesbian Gay Chorus of San Francisco, and star of stage and screen Sharon Gless (pictured). The traditional conduct-the-chorus auction was led by SFPD officer Lenny Broberg. Sharon Gless is currently appearing in the play, A Round Heeled Woman, at Z Space.

NEW MEMBER AUDITIONS
Have you always wanted to sing in the San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus? Here's your chance to join up! We're especially looking for basses at the next auditions in January. Help us spread the word!

The audition process is not as challenging or scary as you might think. We even hold an Audition Clinic before the audition (aka "everything-you-ever-wanted-to-know-about-SFGMC-auditions-but-were-afraid-to-ask) where we walk you through the audition process with other audition candidates. You do not need to prepare a song. The entire audition takes about 4 or 5 minutes. You may also visit a rehearsal, which gives you the chance to "audition" the chorus and see if you feel comfortable.

SFGMC auditions for new members twice yearly. Our next auditions will be held January 20, 2010, at 44 Page Street, San Francisco.

Audition Clinic & Informational Meeting:  Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Auditions:  Wednesday, January 20, 2010
First Rehearsal for New Members: Monday, January 25, 2010

To sign up or to learn more, please click on this link:
https://www.sfgmc.org/about_audition.shtml

DECEMBER, 2009

2009-12-09T11:18:00.000-08:00

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

NOVEMBER, 2009

2009-11-09T12:34:00.001-08:00

DEAR FRIENDS,

This month, read about:

SFGMC's 31st Birthday Celebration
Holiday Season Outreach Appearances

SFGMC'S BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION

SFGMC's first-ever rehearsal was held on October 30, 1978. Each year, we commemorate the chorus's birthday at a rehearsal. At a recent rehearsal - November 2nd, 2009 - current and former chorus members gathered to celebrate and to remember those who are no longer with us.

Significantly, a film crew from France was at the rehearsal. In the early 1990s, an award-winning documentary, Singing Positive, was made for French TV about members of SFGMC who were ill with AIDS. A follow-up documentary is being made about the chorus, showing the progress that has been made with AIDS/HIV and also how we are coping with the disease today.

Chorus member Ross Camarillo made and decorated a stunning cake, which we all shared (it says "32" as we're about to start our 32nd season).

Another tradition at this annual birthday celebration is the presentation of "milestone" service pins. You may have noticed that the chorus wears tiny pins on their tuxedo lapel. The pins represent the years of service. At the birthday celebration, members who have served for 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, or 30 years received special recognition. These were the "milestone" service pin recipients in 2009:

25 years (joined 1984):

Gary Richards

20 years (joined 1989):

Domenic Viterbo

15 years (joined 1994)

Doug Curran
Jim Gibson
Craig Gotfried
Steve Valdez

10 years (joined 1999)

Michael Bankert
Edward Caruso
Bruce Friedrichsen
R. Karl Hebenstreit
Thom Vindiola

5 years (joined 2004):

Douglas Brewster
Asa De Matteo
Aidan Dunn
Jim Freeman
Jeff Ford
Michael Lynch
John Paul
Mark Sorensen
David Thormann

HOLIDAY SEASON OUTREACH APPEARANCES
In addition to many concerts in December in San Francisco, Modesto, Santa Rosa, and Santa Cruz, SFGMC also makes special outreach appearances in the community. Here are some of the events planned for this year's holiday season:

MONDAY NOVEMBER 30, 6 PM - TREE LIGHTING CEREMONY, HOSTED BY MERCHANTS OF UPPER CASTRO & MARKET (MUMC)
For many years, SFGMC has participated in this fabulous event in the Castro (this year at 501 Castro Street at 18th Street in front of the Bank of America), hosted by MUMC. This wonderful community event, which also includes the San Francisco Lesbian/Gay Freedom Band, the Lesbian/Gay Chorus of San Francisco, MCC choirs, Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, Donna Sachet and others, brings our community together at a time when many need to support of their "chosen" families.

MUMC consists of a membership of about 250 local businesses led by a thirteen member Board of Directors. Part of MUMC's work is in civic efforts and small business issues. It lobbies The City for the well-being of its merchants and strives to maintain harmony within the neighborhood. MUMC has been successful in its efforts to maintain diversity, dissuade panhandling, preserve historic architecture, direct beautification projects and produce events and activities that reflect the community’s appreciation of a good time for all.

The public is invited to attend the Tree Lighting, which will take place on Monday, November 30, 6 pm in front of the Bank of America (Castro & 18th Streets). Holiday music, merry-making, and revelry will abound!

TUESDAY, DEC. 1, 12:00 PM - WORLD AIDS DAY, - NATIONAL AIDS MEMORIAL GROVE
December 1st is recognized internationally as World AIDS Day. This year, SFGMC will appear at noon at 16th annual observance of World AIDS Day at the National AIDS Memorial Grove. The chorus will sing "Seasons of Love" from the musical, Rent, by Jonathan Larson. SFGMC will be joined by VOICES Lesbian Choral Ensemble. The two combined groups will also sing "Would You Harbor Me?" by Ysaye Barnwell (of Sweet Honey In The Rock renown), with the stirring lyric: "Would you harbor a person living with AIDS?" The choruses will also lead the traditional round, "Dona nobis pacem" ("give us peace"). The Local Unsung Hero Award will be presented to Bishop Yvette Flunder of Ark of Refuge, and the National Leadership Recognition Award will be received by Stephen F. Morin, PhD, Director, Center for AIDS Policy Research, AIDS Policy Research Center, UCSF.

A light lunch follows the event, which is free and open to the public. For more information, directions, and to RSVP, please visit: http://www.aidsmemorial.org/world-aids-day

HOSPICE CAROLING

Another annual tradition, members of SFGMC don their Santa hats and pile into a bus one night in December and visit half a dozen hospices, strolling through wards and singing holiday songs to patients. This is a tradition that began during the worst of the AIDS years when so many from our community were in the hospitals. The tradition has continued and SFGMC has become a welcome part of the holiday fabric at Maitri, Davies, SF General and other facilities. Some chorus members who participate have even been sung to as patients when they were in the hospital themselves. From time to time, we even come across the occasional celebrity; I remember a woman coming to me and requesting for a patient "The Little Drummer Boy." Shortly thereafter, we learned that the patient was her husband - drummer of The Doobie Brothers. This year's hospice caroling will take place on Tuesday, December 8th.

I look forward to seeing you at one of our many appearances this December, and wish you a very happy Thanksgiving.

- Kathleen

OCTOBER, 2009

2009-10-07T11:21:00.000-07:00

DEAR FRIENDS,

This month:

Cabaret - sneak preview
OUT Music Awards - HELP US WIN (AGAIN)!
This week at rehearsal - We Are Coming Out

CABARET - WHAT A WONDERFUL WORLD

SFGMC's annual Cabaret became part of our official season 8 years ago. We're now in a fancy venue, with a glossy souvenir program, and a 'star'-studded cast to boot! The cabarets give you an opportunity to hear some of the wonderful solo voices the chorus has to offer, including long-time favorites like Cecil Johnson and Steve Valdez, plus plenty of newer members of the chorus that you may not yet have heard. They will be accompanied by a 3-piece band and joined by our very special guest, Donna Sachet.

Did you know?

Donna Sachet is in truly fine form at the moment! She wowed thousands at the ball park recently, singing the National Anthem, and I saw her at the Rrazz Room on September 26 being interviewed by QTalk (pictured). Donna was absolutely hilarious!

SFGMC's fabulous ensemble, Vocal Minority, will also perform at the cabaret, directed by Carl Pantle. So you're in for a real treat at the Cabaret, Oct. 23 (8 pm) and 24 (2 pm & 8 pm). Note that the matinee is a benefit for Larkin Street Youth Services - net proceeds will all go to this wonderful organization that serves homeless youth in San Francisco.

Did you know?

SFGMC's cabarets are performed with cabaret-style seating, so you can sit at a table with a few friends while sipping a cocktail. It's a very classy event at the Regency Center Lodge (pictured). On our website now you even select your seats from a floorplan. Check it out:
https://www.sfgmc.org/events_calendar_details_WonderfulWorld.shtml

CABARET PROGRAM

Here's a sneak preview:

ACT I

Vocal Minority
Another Op’nin’, Another Show from Kiss Me Kate by Cole Porter, arranged by Ed Lojeski

Make Them Hear You from Ragtime by Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty, arranged by William Miller

Sean Higgins
I Love a Piano by Irving Berlin

Lynden Bair
Peace Train by Cat Stevens
With Walter Guerra, Erik Green, Joseph Peralta, Gregory Sandritter

Bob Connett (Friday)
Old Man River from Show Boat by Jerome Kern

Trace Hollenbeck (Matinee)
Swinging On a Star from Going My Way by Johnny Burke and Jimmy Van Heusen

Jim Nickerson (Sat Eve)
My Stupid Mouth by John Mayer

Ross Woodall
No Time At All from Pippin by Stephen Schwartz

James Machado
Corner of the Sky from Pippin by Stephen Schwartz

Mark Sorensen (Friday)
For Once In My Life by Ronald Miller & Orlando Murden

Don Ruthroff (matinee)
Taylor, The Latte Boy by Zina Goldrich & Marcy Heisler

R. Karl Hebenstreit (Sat Eve)
Feeling Good from The Roar Of The Greasepaint - The Smell Of The Crowd by Leslie Bricusse & Anthony Newley

Oky Sulistio
A Change Is Gonna Come by Sam Cooke

Ray Perez and Vocal Minority
Home from The Wiz by Charlie Smalls, arranged by Kathleen McGuire
Over the Rainbow from The Wizard of Oz by Harold Arlen & E.Y. Harburg, arranged by Mark Hayes

Frank Federico and Vocal Minority
Save the Country by Laura Nyro

Vocal Minority
What a Wonderful World by Bob Thiele and George David Weiss, arranged by Thaddeus Pinkston (premiere)

ACT II

Donna Sachet
Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered by Lorenz Hart and Richard Rodgers

Vocal Minority
Angel Eyes by Matt Dennis and Earl Brent, arranged by Thaddeus Pinkston

Kenyon DeVault and Vocal Minority
Moonshine Lullaby from Annie Get Your Gun by Irving Berlin

Larry Cruz
My Foolish Heart by Victor Young & Ned Washington

Peter Jacobs (Evenings)
Everybody's Girl from Steel Pier by John Kander and Fred Ebb

Jim Donohue (matinee)
Sixties medley: The Birds And The Bees by Herb Newman, Game of Love by Clint Ballard Jr., Love Potion Number 9 by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller

Moose Maravilla
Close to You by Burt Bacharach

Steve Valdez
My Buddy/Old Friend by Ann Hampton Callaway

Zack Wilde
Carousel by Jacques Brel, arranged by Zack Thomas Wilde
With Justin Donohue, Dustin Finkle, Jim Graham, Steve Harvey, Ian Harwood (tuba), Skip Leasure, Mark Sorensen, Steve Valdez

Cecil Johnson
Grateful by John Bucchino

Gregory Marks and Dan O'Leary
Come What May from Moulin Rouge by David Baerwald

Stephen Camarota and the Cabaret Cast
Coming Together by Jason Robert Brown, revoiced for men’s voices by Carl Pantle

OUT MUSIC AWARDS - HELP US WIN (AGAIN)!

The OUT Music Awards (formerly the GLAM Awards - Gay and Lesbian American Music) has been around now in one form or another since the late 1990s. SFGMC has been the recipient of several awards, and has been a finalist for almost every submission in the category: Best New Choral Recording. The OMA went through a leadership transition over the last few years, but is now back on track. They are currently receiving submissions of recordings released in 2007, 2008 and 2009. SFGMC made three CDs and a DVD during that period, so we're now faced with the challenge of deciding which tracks to submit. The way it works is that we submit a track or two from each recording, and then the entire album is considered if it's selected as a finalist.

Albums we're submitting for OUT Music Award consideration:

Tune In, Turn Up, Sing Out

A Few Licks

Creating Harmony Disc 1: 30th Season Highlights

Creating Harmony Disc 2: New World Waking

U.S.S. Metaphor

Did You Know? You can listen to excerpts from all of SFGMC's CDs on our website in a really cool Media Player. Just go to the SFGMC website and click on "LISTEN TO OUR MUSIC!" Click on the album you want to hear, then the individual track. You can also find excerpts from our DVD: U.S.S. Metaphor on SFGMC's YouTube Channel (in "Favorites").

We would like to include your opinions in our track selection process. We've put together a SHORT survey with a small number of quick questions! Please let us know which are your favorite tracks. Here's a link to the survey. Please note that the survey will close at midnight on Saturday (the deadline for submissions is Monday). Thanks for your help!

CLICK HERE TO TAKE SURVEY

THIS WEEK AT REHEARSAL: WE ARE COMING OUT
We've been rehearsing music for the holiday concerts since the end of August, but on Monday, October 5th we also started learning some new music in preparation for the California tour we've planned for 2010. We began with a wonderful new song by chorus member Sean Chapin (pictured). Since the passing of Proposition 8, Sean has chosen to take a new path in his life and has become an activist for human rights and social justice.

Sean has written several uplifting protest song. The one we learned and then recorded on Monday is called We Are Coming Out. CLICK HERE to listen to the recording we made.

Did you know... Another Sean Chapin song was played to pump up the crowd in Washington D.C. on October 11 for the equality march! Congratulations, Sean. Called "Equality Now," you can hear it for yourself at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FuWCN-IMf9U

I must say, Monday's rehearsal was one of the most exciting I can remember - the chorus members and I were so inspired by Sean's song and the prospect of taking it "on the road" next year. Sean spoke to us briefly about the commitment he has made in his life to fight for our rights. This reminded me that many of our newer members told us in their chorus auditions that they wanted to join us at this time because they wanted to make a difference. While Prop 8 may have been a step backwards for our rights, it has inspired more people to actively participate for positive change. This week, one such chorus member, Lynden Bair, sent me this comment in an email:

Singing and recording this piece at last Monday's rehearsal was one of the most powerful moments I've had with the chorus so far. What a great gift from you and Sean! I too have admired Sean's passion, talent, and activism for the short time that I've known him and being in that room as that final "We Are Coming Out" rang followed by that huge ovation - indescribable, and so well deserved. It was the passage of Prop 8 that finally compelled me to join the chorus and become more involved in the community and the activist side of what we do is really important to me. - Lynden Bair, SFGMC baritone & associate pianist

Whether you went to Washington D.C. this weekend, or marched locally, or sing in a gay chorus, or perhaps you made a donation to help SFGMC get to Chico-Redding-Tracy-Fresno-Bakersfield next year, or even if you just sit at home and pray for a day when we truly have equality for all, thank you for being with us as part of the SFGMC family on this journey to equality. It is my dream that a day will come when SFGMC will sing in celebration of our complete and equal rights. Until then, we will continue to "come out" and sing for our lives.

- Kathleen

SEPTEMBER, 2009

2009-09-07T02:32:00.001-07:00

DEAR FRIENDS,

SFGMC's fall rehearsals started on August 31st, following our summer "hiatus," and I'm excited to report that the conclusion of our 31st Season is going to be great - thanks to almost 300 of you who contributed to our survey of holiday music. Read on to learn more...

In this month's column:

New Member Auditions
Fall Rehearsal Retreat
Holiday Concert Music - Survey Results
New: "Did You Know" facts about SFGMC!

New Member Auditions

Earlier this month we auditioned, and then accepted, 34 new members (aka "newbies") into the chorus. Several come to us from other gay choruses, including Philadelphia and Los Angeles. SFGMC's audition process is very important to us, allowing each candidate the opportunity to learn about what will happen at his audition and the opportunity to "audition" the chorus by attending a rehearsal.

Each newbie is assigned a Big Brother: an established chorus member who helps the newbie navigate his way through the maze of new music, hundreds of chorus members, ordering a tux, and so on. Part of the newbie orientation process includes attending the fall rehearsal retreat, a Big Brother Brunch, special rehearsals to learn SFGMC's Songbook repertoire (e.g. Irish Blessing and San Francisco), and various other social activities.

Did you know...
In order to be eligible to audition for the chorus, candidates must identify as male, be at least 18 years of age, and support the chorus' mission statement.

ALL SFGMC rehearsals are "open." Feel free to drop by on a Monday night, 7 - 10 pm, at 44 Page Street. We'd love to see you!

Map of 44 Page St San Francisco, CA by MapQuest

Fall Rehearsal Retreat

Along with weekly rehearsals, the chorus prepares for concerts by attending additional, intensive rehearsals. Twice each year, the members of the chorus travel to Camp Newman north of Santa Rosa for a weekend of rehearsals, fun, and camaraderie. The retreat is planned by a committee. The chorus rehearses on Friday night for three hours, Saturday morning and afternoon, and again Sunday morning. Some of the rehearsals are split, with the tenors rehearsing in one room and the baritones and basses rehearsing in another. This helps the members to learn their music quickly. To balance the intense rehearsals, plenty of social activities are held, including a "welcome newbies" party on Friday night, a pool party on Saturday afternoon (weather permitting), cocktail party, sober space, and a fabulous Faux Talent Show where members strut their stuff!

The rehearsal retreats often include a guest clinician. This fall, we welcome Dr. Jonathan Palant (pictured), artistic director of Turtle Creek Chorale. Dr. Palant will put the chorus through its paces on Saturday morning, and in the afternoon lead a conducting master class for SFGMC's associate artistic director Carl Pantle and our assistant conductors Garry Hanna and Paul Saccone. The chorus will sing while Dr. Palant works with each conductor on the technical aspects of directing. Not only is this a wonderful opportunity for our conductors to develop and hone their skills, it provides chorus members with a deeper understanding of how (and what) conductors communicate from the podium.

Did you know...

Donna Sachet was "born" at an SFGMC retreat!

Holiday Concert Music - Survey Results
A month ago, many of you participated in an online survey of SFGMC's holiday music from 1990 - 2008. Yes, it was a LOT of titles to wade through, but your survey responses, along with your comments, have helped shape a wonderful program for the 20th Annual Home For The Holidays!

Here is a list of the music that was selected:

We Need A Little Christmas from Mame, arranged by Wayne Love
Do You Hear What I Hear? arranged by David Maddux
A Musicological Journey Through The Twelve Days Of Christmas by Craig Courtney, re-voiced by Stan Hill
Coming Out On Christmas by Dean X. Johnson
God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen arranged by Alex Rybeck
Let There Be Peace On Earth arranged by chorus member Tony McIntosh (premiere!)
Joy To The World - Mariah Carey version, arranged by Kathleen McGuire
Fruitcake (aka homage to Julia Child!)
Triumphant Light by Donald Skirvin (for Solstice)
Not In Our Town by Fred Small (for Hanukkah)
O Holy Night arranged by Jay Kawarsky
Our Stockings by Robert Seeley and Robert Espindola
Santa Claus Is Coming To Town arranged by Anne Albritton
Carols Sing-Along
Home For The Holidays arranged by Robert Seeley
In This Very Room arranged by Kathleen McGuire

Additional selections will be performed by our ensembles - The Lollipop Guild and Vocal Minority - including music for Hanukkah.

(Some selections will be omitted on December 24 due to time restrictions)

AUGUST 2009

2009-08-04T11:34:00.000-07:00

DEAR FRIENDS,

This month:

Auditions: Join The Chorus!
Catered By The Chorus
Paula West sings at SFGMC's Crescendo
Holiday Music Survey - Thanks!

CATERED BY THE CHORUS
This month is SFGMC's Catered By The Chorus! Chorus members host dinners in their homes or at restaurants. There are still several dinners available. This is a great chance to get to know me or a chorus member in an intimate setting.

Click here to learn more or sign up for a dinner: https://sfgmc.musetta.org/catered_by_the_chorus_meals

There are still a few seats available at my dinner on Wednesday, August 12, 6:30 pm. Please visit: https://sfgmc.musetta.org/catered_by_the_chorus_meals/27

Hope to see you there!

PAULA WEST SINGS AT CRESCENDO
Dinner guests from Catered By The Chorus then go to the Crescendo gala party (Sat. Aug. 15, 7 PM - this weekend!), which is included in the cost of dinner. (Separate tickets are also available to Crescendo for patrons not attending a dinner.) This year's Crescendo is bigger and better than ever, held at the San Francisco Westin Market Street, including unique auction items, the Walls Of Wine, and a performance by the inimitable jazz singer Paula West.

ABOUT PAULA WEST: With a particular dusky soulfulness, West has captured the hearts of critics and audiences alike from coast to coast. Known and respected for her creative and distinct repertoire, West adds her own depth and drama to whichever song she chooses for the moment, creating whole new frameworks of meaning for American favorites. Without fail, the songs come from a place of sincerity.

West has performed to sold out houses at The Rrazz Room in San Francisco and at The Oak Room in New York's Algonquin Hotel, increasing her international exposure through broadcasts and performances throughout Europe. West has also sung at major jazz festivals and has shared the bill with numerous jazz luminaries including the late Rosemary Clooney, Stacey Kent, Freddy Cole, Jimmy Scott, Oscar Brown Jr., Rita Rudner and Mavis Staples. Her critically acclaimed CDs include Temptation, Restless and Come What May, which received the California Music Award for Outstanding Jazz Album.

AUDITIONS: JOIN THE CHORUS!
Have you always wanted to sing in the San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus? Here's your chance to join up! We're especially looking for first (high) tenors and basses at the next auditions in September.

The audition process is not as challenging or scary as you might think. We even hold an Audition Clinic the week before the audition (aka "everything you ever wanted to know about SFGMC auditions but were afraid to ask) where we walk you through the audition process with other audition candidates. You do not need to prepare a song. The entire audition takes about 4 or 5 minutes. You can also come to an Open Rehearsal, which gives you the chance to "audition" the chorus and see if you feel comfortable.

SFGMC auditions for new members twice yearly. Our next auditions will be held September 1, 2009, at 44 Page Street, San Francisco.

Audition Clinic - Monday, August 24, 7 PM
Open Rehearsal - Monday, August 31, 7 PM
New Member Auditions - Tuesday, September 1. Auditions by appointment.

To sign up or to learn more, please click on this link:
https://sfgmcdb.org/audition_registrations/new

HOLIDAY MUSIC SURVEY - THANKS!
In July, we collected responses from chorus and audience members to learn which are your favorite holiday songs sung by SFGMC since 1990! Some of you were astonished by the length of the survey, but 20 years is a long time. We received 285 responses, which is great! Thank you to those of you who responded. We will use the responses to inform decisions about the program for the 20th Annual Holiday Concerts this December. The chorus will start rehearsing music for the holiday concert at the end of August. We look forward to seeing you in December, when you can see if your favorites were selected!

JULY, 2009

2009-07-14T14:37:00.000-07:00

DEAR FRIENDS,

It’s great to be back! In this month’s column, please read about:

My sabbatical in review
Fall Cabaret: What A Wonderful World
20th Annual Home For The Holidays: your help needed
Hope to see you at an SFGMC event this summer

MY SABBATICAL IN REVIEW

I am thrilled to be back from my sabbatical and excited to start up again with the chorus in the fall. I have returned well rested and newly inspired by my experiences in Australia. As you may have heard, the trip included some personal challenges, including my younger sister being diagnosed with lymphoma (she's now in full remission) and I fell off a horse and broke my arm! On the mend now, though. On behalf of my family, thank you to everyone for your encouragement, prayers and good wishes. (If you're interested in reading about some of my personal travel experiences, visit my Facebook Notes. You'll need a Facebook account, though!)

Professionally, I visited, sang with, and conducted choirs in Melbourne, Sydney and Canberra, and - on behalf of SFGMC - I welcomed to the gay choral movement in their very first concert a brand new chorus called =LOW REZ=, a men’s chorus based in Melbourne, specializing in pop music and identifying as “metrosexual.”

=LOWREZ=

at debut concert, Melbourne

A musical highlight of the trip was singing on the steps of the Sydney Opera House with the Sydney Philharmonia Choir in a Dawn Concert to raise funds for the victims of the tragic bushfires that occurred in Victoria on February 7 and 8. Another highlight was conducting the 80-voice Melbourne Gay & Lesbian Chorus in concert on May 16 in a tribute to the Beatles. My gay brother, Lawrence, founded MGLC in 1990 after hearing an SFGMC recording at a party. It was a great honor to work with this fine group of women and men in Melbourne, and in doing so, bringing queer choral history full-circle. Another highlight was attending rehearsals and a performance of Sydney Gay and Lesbian Choir's fully-stage production of Henry Purcell's The Fairy Queen as part of Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras - the first time an LGBT chorus has stage such an event! (To read more about my experiences with LGBT choruses in Australia, stay tuned for the next issue of GALA Choruses' GALAgrams.)

I am extremely grateful to the board of directors, staff, and the members of SFGMC for providing me with this time to refresh and renew. After nine years in San Francisco, it was time for me to step back and gain new perspective as my predecessor, Dr. Stan Hill, had done at the same point in time during his tenure with SFGMC.

My sincere thanks also to conductors Paul Saccone, Carl Pantle, and Dr. Timothy Seelig for doing such a fine job filling in for me during my time away. I am especially grateful to Tim for staying on an extra four weeks and conducting SFGMC in the Pride Concert. My return to San Francisco was unavoidably delayed due to my broken arm, but I am pleased to report that the arm is healing well and I’ll be conducting two-armed again in no time!

CABARET: WHAT A WONDERFUL WORLD

SFGMC has several exciting events coming in this fall. First off is the annual Cabaret. Titled “What a Wonderful World” (and featuring the song made famous by Louis “Satchmo” Armstrong, pictured), the chorus’s finest soloists will touch your heart with song to inspire and uplift your spirit. Joining the soloists will be SFGMC’s ensemble, Vocal Minority, led by Carl Pantle. If you heard Vocal Minority at the Pride Concert, you’ll know you’re in for a real treat!

Carl Pantle, who is fairly new to SFGMC having joined our staff at the end of 2008, is probably best known in the Bay Area for his work at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music’s opera department. He is a phenomenal pianist and singer (tenor) in his own right, and he is training the individual voices of Vocal Minority in order to strengthen the group. Carl will serve as music director of the Cabaret, which will be held at the magnificent Regency Center in October.

A new feature of the Cabaret this year is that the Saturday matinee performance will be a benefit for Larkin Street Youth Services. We look forward to being able to make a meaningful contribution through this special partnership.

20TH ANNUAL “HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS” - WE NEED YOUR HELP

For twenty consecutive years, SFGMC has presented “Home For The Holidays” at the Castro Theatre. To commemorate this achievement, we want to pay tribute to some of the fabulous music that has become synonymous with this iconic event. We are putting together a list of SFGMC’s holiday songs performed over the last 20 years. We invite you, our audience, to tell us which songs are your favorites! The most popular choices will be included in this year’s holiday concert. Stay tuned for information about an online survey where you can respond. We want to hear from you!

HOPE TO SEE YOU AT AN SFGMC EVENT THIS SUMMER...

CD LAUNCH PARTY

THURSDAY, JULY 30, THE EAGLE TAVERN, 10 pm, $5 a the door

Many of you experienced the sold-out concert at Davies on May 21, conducted by Dr. Seelig and with special guests Joan Baez and the Whoa Nellies, which was recorded and is now available on a fabulous new CD! I hope you’ll join me and Dr. Seelig at the CD launch party at the Eagle and enjoy once more the wonderful Whoa Nellies. CLICK HERE for more event details.

CRESCENDO - GALA PARTY

SATURDAY, AUGUST 15, 7 pm, The Westin San Francisco Market Street

SFGMC’s 4th annual Catered By The Chorus dinners will be held on various dates leading up to the culmination: Crescendo, a fabulous night of cocktails, silent and live auction (including the Wall Of Wine) and entertainment provided by the inimitable jazz songstress Paula West (pictured). To learn more about the dinners and Crescendo, visit: http://www.sfgmc.org

DECEMBER, 2008

2008-12-08T16:47:00.000-08:00

Happy Holidays!

This month's topics:

- NEW: Special Edition Double CD

- Guest conductors coming soon!

- Recent events in review: 30th anniversary concert; remembering Harvey Milk & George Moscone

LIMITED EDITION DOUBLE CD: CREATING HARMONY
We're pulling out all the stops this month to bring you a HOT OFF THE PRESS DOUBLE CD, produced in record time! The first half of our December 1 concert at Davies Symphony Hall will constitute one of the two CDs, which will be available for purchase at the Castro Theatre on December 24. The other CD is a compilation of highlights from throughout the 30th season. In all, the 26 tracks be a lasting memento of what has been a truly wonderful year for SFGMC. We're pressing only 1000 copies, so get yours soon - available on our website, too.

If you're reading this I know you're a special fan of SFGMC, so here is a sneak preview of the CD insert notes:

Creating Harmony features recordings of live performances held during the 30th season of the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus. The first choral organization in the world to openly identify as gay, SFGMC made its public debut on November 27, 1978. The Chorus’s illustrious history includes national and international tours in the world’s finest auditoriums, award-winning recordings, collaborations with celebrated artists, and a unique philanthropic focus on raising hundreds of thousands of dollars for worthy causes. SFGMC’s 30th season included several sold out concerts in our hometown as well as appearances at Miami’s Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts, an original DVD production (U.S.S. Metaphor), and numerous appearances in support of marriage equality. New works by gay composers were commissioned and premiered, several of which are included on this double-CD set. New World Waking! by Steve Schalchlin marked the triumphant finale of this memorable season. Performed with the Community Women’s Orchestra on World AIDS Day, 2008, New World Waking! comprises a suite of Songs On The Road To Peace, Inspired By John Lennon’s Piano. Schalchlin relates true stories of violence in the community and the world, calling upon each one of us to find a song that opens a door to peace. The suite’s timeless and hopeful message heralds the next chapter of SFGMC’s journey toward a better world for ALL people.

GUEST CONDUCTORS - COMING SOON!

If you've seen our fabulous brochure for SFGMC's 31st Season in 2009, you already know that I'm going on sabbatical! Like my predecessor, Dr. Stan Hill, did in his 9th season, I'm going away for several months to re-charge and re-fresh. During that time, some wonderful conductors will lead the Chorus. Two are from our own "backyard," and one will be coming to us from Texas! Here is some information about each of them. I hope you will support and applaud them, as I do, in their conducting debuts with SFGMC:

PAUL SACCONE - Home For The Holidays, Dec. 24, 2008 - Castro Theatre
Known for his versatility as a conductor, composer, arranger, and singer, Paul has appeared in concerts around the world. His work with SFGMC began five years ago; he serves as Assistant Conductor of SFGMC and as Music Director of SFGMC ensemble The Lollipop Guild. Paul's skills as a conductor, musical sensitivity, and ability to dynamically shape the sound of a chorus have earned him the highest respect of the singers and musicians with whom he works. Paul studied music at West Chester University and has performed under such esteemed composers and conductors as Robert Maggio and Paul Salumunovich.

CARL PANTLE - Seasons Of Love, First Annual Revue, Feb. 13 through 15, 2009 - Brava Theater Center
Carl is new to SFGMC, having started with us in November, 2008. Carl serves as Associate Artistic Director and Music Director of SFGMC ensemble Vocal Minority. Carl is an experienced singer and pianist, and has studied at Brigham Young University and SF Conservatory of Music. In addition to working with SFGMC, he is a staff pianist at SF Opera and pianist and Assistant Music Director of the opera program at SF Conservatory of Music. We are delighted to welcome Carl to our team.

DR. TIMOTHY SEELIG - TUNE IN, TURN UP, SING OUT: THE SPRING CONCERT, Davies Symphony Hall, Thu. May 21 - 8pm
Tim is a dear friend and mentor, and I am thrilled that he is taking time from his busy schedule to come and work with SFGMC in the spring. He is currently the artistic director in residence of the Gay and Lesbian Association of Choruses, he teaches vocal pedagogy at Southern Methodist University, and is best known for the twenty years he directed the Turtle Creek Chorale in Dallas, TX. Tim's daughter and her husband now live in San Francisco, and he is eager to spend more time with them. To read more about his many accomplishments, visit: www.timseelig.com

I will be back for the Pride Concert in June, and I look forward to seeing you all then.

RECENT EVENTS IN REVIEW

30TH ANNIVERSARY CONCERT, DAVIES SYMPHONY HALL, MON. DEC. 1, 2008
What a night it was! Act 1 began with the world premiere of Steve Schalchlin's New World Waking! Songs On The Road To Peace, Inspired By John Lennon's Piano. I was given the great honor of writing the choral and orchestral arrangements, so it was very exciting for me to see all of the various elements come together after months of work with SFGMC and the Community Women's Orchestra. Jennifer Holliday sang the finale: "My Rising Up." The photo here shows just how wonderful her high note was at the end!

Jennifer Holliday hits a high note while my jaw hits the floor!
Photo credit: Rick Gerharter

Act II was equally exciting, beginning with TV personality Jan Wahl introducing star of stage and screen, Piper Laurie. Laurie helped us to commemorate World AIDS Day, acknowledging our special concert partners and beneficiaries: Meals of Marin, Positive Resource Center, and Under One Roof. Award-winning Canadian songstress Kim Kuzma continued the World AIDS theme by dedicating the premiere of her new single, "Guardian Angels," to those who care for AIDS/HIV sufferers. Holliday returned with her signature song, "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going" from Dreamgirls, also dedicating it to those who battle with the pandemic.

The program concluded with holiday selections celebrating Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa, including three brand new arrangements created by SFGMC Principal Pianist Thaddeus Pinkston, long-time SFGMC member / box office manager Tony McIntosh, and assistant conductor Paul Saccone.

A surprise encore - the Hallelujah Chorus - incorporated a Proposition 8 protest from a group of "nuns". You really had to be there!

The program on Dec. 24 will include selections from the Dec. 1 program, plus some additional holiday music.

You can also catch New World Waking! in full - plus holiday music - in Santa Rosa on Saturday, Dec. 13 and in Santa Cruz on Saturday, Dec. 20. You can find more details on our website.

COMMEMORATING MILK & MOSCONE

The 30th anniversary of the assassinations of Harvey Milk and George Moscone occurred on Thanksgiving Day. A special memorial was held the following day, November 28, 2008, beginning on the steps of City Hall. An estimated 1000 people gathered. The event began with a memorial concert featuring SFGMC performing several songs, including the world premiere of David Conte's "The Promise" and SFGMC alumnus L. Peter Deutsch's "Brethren and Lovers", both with texts by Walt Whitman. We also reprised "Thou Lord Our Refuge" by Felix Mendelssohn - the same piece the Chorus sang that fateful night 30 years ago when SFGMC made its first-ever public appearance. The ever-circling news helicopters were a challenge to our acoustic music, but added weight to the importance of the occasion.

Holly Near led the Chorus and audience in a sing-along of the song she wrong in response to learning of the assassinations: Singing For Our Lives.

Music was interspersed with remarks from friends and family of Milk and Moscone, including Jon Moscone, Stuart Milk, Harry Britt, Tom Ammiano, Carol Ruth Silver, and Willie Brown. Rafael Mandelman - president of the Harvey Milk Democratic Club - served as emcee.

The SF Lesbian/Gay Freedom Band directed by Drum Major (and SFGMC member) Kim Boyd joined SFGMC and members of the Lesbian/Gay Chorus of SF and GLAM Youth Choir in a rousing finale of "If My Friends Could See Me Now," then led a candlelight vigil up Market Street to the Castro. In the Castro, the crowd gathered at the location that was formerly Milk's camera store. Senator Mark Leno, Supervisor Bevan Dufty, and City Treasurer Jose Cisneros spoke to the crowd.

Having served on the small committee of community leaders who put this event together, I have to say it was one of my proudest moments to see it all come together. I share Harvey Milk's birthdate, so even though I never met the man, I feel a special affinity with him as I continue - through my work with SFGMC - to do what I believe Harvey would have wanted us to do.

Finally, here is a message I received from Stuart Milk a few days ago. What a fitting tribute it is as SFGMC reaches the end of its remarkable 30th Anniversary Season:

It was an honor to represent the Milk family and the Chorus brought a deepness of beauty, respect, harmony and dignity that could have come from nowhere else! You are all truly the medicine that the world needs!

Thank you with all my love,

Stuart

FROM THE PODIUM - NOVEMBER, 2008

2008-11-11T23:31:00.000-08:00

DEAR FRIENDS,

You may have noticed that SFGMC has a wonderful new website. One of my favorite features is the calendar on the home page. The calendar includes not only our subscription series concerts; it also includes our SingOut appearances in the community. So, if you need an extra SFGMC "fix" between concerts, check it out! And don't forget you can always drop by rehearsals on a Monday night: 7 - 10 pm at the Kanbar Center, 44 Page Street.

This month's topics:

Recent SFGMC appearances
30th Anniversary Concert
Memorial concert for Milk/Moscone commemoration
Honoring Leonard Matlovich
SFGMC celebrates 30th birthday at rehearsal

RECENT SFGMC APPEARANCES

This has been the busiest November SFGMC can remember! In the last few weeks, the chorus has appeared at Bloomingdale's, the Marin Farmers Market in San Rafael, Glide Memorial United Methodist Church, and the Metropolitan Community Church. And our ensembles concert, In The Mood, was a wonderful success, including fabulous guests, Captain Smartypants. Click here to read a review in the San Francisco Bay Times.

Activities in support of No On Prop 8 and Equality For All also kept us very busy. I asked the organizers of No On Prop 8, "How can SFGMC best serve?" The response I received was, "Sing. We really need you to sing." So that's what we did! Although the outcome of Prop 8 wasn't what many of us had hoped, we are optimistic that NEXT time we'll win! The fight for equality reminds us why SFGMC is so important. Thirty years on we're often asked if we're still relevant as an organization; Prop 8 is just one example of why the collective voice of SFGMC plays a vital part in the world.

A group of 50 chorus members sang at Union Square on November 4, the night of the election. Here is a picture taken than night with a young fan who wanted to sing with us the Star-Spangled Banner:

SFGMC Ambassadors & fan
Union Square, Nov. 4, 2008

30th Anniversary Concert
Mon. Dec. 1, 7:00 pm
Davies Symphony Hall

Tickets are already selling fast, so get yours NOW to avoid disappointment! This will be an amazing night of music and memories. In the September and October editions of this column, I've told you a lot about our brand new commissioned work: New World Waking! - Songs on the Road to Peace, Inspired by John Lennon's Piano, by Steve Schalchlin. We have previewed some songs recently, with rave reviews. Steve asked me to create the choral and orchestral arrangements, and I've enjoyed every minute of it. Collaborating with Steve has been a real treat; we've become fast friends in the process.

The Community Women's Orchestra will accompany the chorus, Piper Laurie will narrate one of the movements, and the finale, "My Rising Up," will feature Jennifer Holliday! Ms. Holliday will also sing a selection from Dream Girls.

We're very proud to be presenting the world premiere of New World Waking! To learn more about the background and how Steve came to write these wonderful songs, visit: www.newworldwaking.com.

I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the men and women who have generously sponsored the commission:

Paul Frantz
Kathy and Vicki Zalewski
Bruce Carpenter
Craig Gofried
John H.J. Cashman
Carpenter/Robbins Commercial Real Estate, Inc.

If you would like to see YOUR name added to this illustrious list, please let us know! We still need to raise about $5000 to complete the funding needed for this amazing world premiere. If you wish to make a contribution, please contact the SFGMC administrative office: 415-865-3650, info@sfgmc.org.

Other music in the program includes a special tribute for World AIDS Day, featuring a new single by Kim Kuzma - a remake of Mario Lanzo's classic, "Guardian Angels." The single will be available for sale at the concert. The orchestral arrangement has been created by Yves Frulla, Celine Dion's pianist in Las Vegas. We will also reprise "I Shall Miss Loving You" from Kris Anthony's AIDS requiem, When We No Longer Touch.

The holiday portion of the program includes music for Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and Christmas. Long-time chorus member Tony McIntosh has put together a stunning arrangement of "Mary, Did You Know," and SFGMC principal pianist Thaddeus Pinkston penned his first arrangement for SFGMC: "Just In Time For Christmas." Paul Saccone - SFGMC assistant conductor and music director of The Lollipop Guild - created a medley of holiday favorites, which the audience will experience as the sing-along.

Our December 24 program at the Castro Theatre will include selections from the December 1 program (pared down into a one-act program). The Lesbian/Gay Chorus of San Francisco will join us for the 9 pm performance, and Kim Kuzma will be at all three shows, at 5pm, 7pm and 9pm.

MEMORIAL CONCERT
FOR MILK & MOSCONE ASSASSINATIONS
A memorial event will be held on Friday, November 28 at 4 pm to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the assassinations of Mayor George Moscone and openly gay Supervisor Harvey Milk. The program will begin with a concert on the steps of San Francisco City Hall, followed by a twilight march to Harvey Milk’s camera store on Castro Street. The event is free and open to the public.

SFGMC, City Hall steps Nov. 27, 2003

Moscone and Milk were assassinated by Supervisor Dan White at San Francisco City Hall on November 27, 1978. San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus’s first-ever public appearance was the night of the assassinations. The chorus had a rehearsal planned, but instead decided to participate in the historic candlelight vigil at City Hall. The chorus sang a beautiful Mendelssohn hymn that night, which we will include in the program on the 28th. We will also perform two premieres: "Brethren and Lovers" by SFGMC alumnus, L. Peter Deutsch, and "The Promise" by David Conte. The texts for both pieces are by Walt Whitman.

Holly Near will perform “Singing For Our Lives,” which she composed in reaction to learning of Milk’s assassination.

Speakers at the memorial will include family and friends of Milk and Moscone. The musical program will feature appearances by Holly Near, the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus, and members of the Lesbian/Gay Chorus of San Francisco, the San Francisco Lesbian/Gay Freedom Band, and GLAM Youth Choir.

Organizers of the event include the Harvey Milk Democratic Club, Alice B. Toklas Democratic Club, the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus, and the San Francisco LGBT Pride Celebration Committee.

SFGMC HONORS
LEONARD MATLOVICH

Saturday, November 15, 2008 - 12 pm
LGBT Community Center, 1800 Market Street, San Francisco

Members of SFGMC will sing at a special event on Saturday to commemorate the 20th anniversary of Matlovich's death. Assemblyman Mark Leno will unveil a plaque in Matlovich's honor, which eventually will be situated in the Castro.

Leonard Matlovich was a member of SFGMC in the early years. He was famous as a gay and AIDS activist, and probably best known for being featured on the cover of Time magazine as a gay serviceman (pre Don't Ask Don't Tell). One of the most recognizable gay men of the 1970s, Matlovich fought to stay in the military after coming out.

To learn more about Matlovich, visit: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leonard_Matlovich

SFGMC dedicated its recent DVD, U.S.S. Metaphor, to Matlovich for his years of service to LGBT persons serving in the miltary.

SFGMC'S 30TH BIRTHDAY PARTY
SFGMC's first rehearsal was held on October 30, 1978, led by founder Jon Reed Sims. Each year, we celebrate this momentous occasion at rehearsal, including a birthday cake (we sing "happy birthday to us!"), and we acknowledge members for their years of service. This year, the following members were presented with special "milestone" pins (the jewel pins worn by members on their tux jackets represent the number of years served; special pins are awarded for multiples of 5 years):

30 years
Robert Rufo
Terrence Chan
Martin O'Connell
Bob Emery

25 years
Joe Castrovinci
Marty Fenstersheib
Peter Franzi

20 years
Randy Lerner
Dave Gooding

15 years
Gary Kukus
Steve Gallagher

10 years
Dennis Chase
Edward Driskill
Edward Munoz

5 years
Mike Holland
Mike Craven
Dave Feldman
Skip Leasure
Sean Higgins
Paul Saccone
Steven Harvey

OCTOBER, 2008

2008-10-07T14:17:00.000-07:00

DEAR FRIENDS,

Topics this month:

In The Mood - details about our October 24/25 concert
Puna Men's Chorus - read about my trip to Hawaii!

Are you IN THE MOOD?
Fun & Frivolity Set The Tone For Ensembles Concert
San Francisco Debut of Special Guests, Captain Smartypants

Revitalized with new blood and fresh from ovation-winning performances in Miami over the summer, the chorus’ ensembles - The Lollipop Guild and Vocal Minority - return to the Brava Theater on Friday, October 24, 8pm and Saturday, October 25, 2pm and 8pm, to present the 4th annual ensembles concert: In The Mood. The mood will definitely be upbeat if not downright frivolous and risqué. If you think ‘Saturday Night Live meets Chanticleer,’ you’ll have a good idea of what’s in store!

Members of Vocal Minority have been preparing under the guest direction of Stephanie Lynne Smith (best known for her work with the Lesbian/Gay Chorus of San Francisco) perfecting their hilarious adaptations of Girls Just Wanna Have Fun, Love Train and Mighty Mouse. Known for its arresting a cappella arrangements, The Lollipop Guild, under the direction of Paul Saccone, will dazzle with divinely harmonious interpretations of classic hit songs including Ghost Riders, Africa, Danny Boy and Up The Ladder To The Roof.

Sharing the stage with The Lollipop Guild and Vocal Minority will be special guests Captain Smartypants (pictured left) - the acclaimed ensemble of the Seattle Men’s Chorus - under the direction of one of the nation’s foremost queer composers and humorists, Eric Lane Barnes. Long-time fans of SFGMC will recognize his name as we've performed many of his hilarious works over the years, including the recent "Gay Vs. Straight Composers" at Davies Symphony Hall in May.

Purportedly “discovered by Madame Curie in 1913 as she was emptying a test tube,” the radioactive slime sprouted legs and morphed into “nine homosexuals who won’t stop singing,” (AKA Captain Smartypants) according to the group’s website.

Captain Smartypants will perform “witty, pretty ditties, as well as the kind of side-splitting songs that make it advisable to bring a spare pair of panties,” said the irreverent Barnes, referring to “songs like our version of Something Stupid featuring quotes from Dubya and recently updated, by popular demand, with fresh fodder from McCain and Palin.” A hauntingly beautiful arrangement of the Dead Can Dance hit, The Carnival Is Over, will reveal the ability of Captain Smartypants to add touching as well as humorous moments to their San Francisco debut.

Special discounts are offered to members of GALA Choruses, and a $10 ticket is also offered for the matinee to unwaged audience members. For discounts, contact the box office: boxoffice@sfgmc.org, ph: 415-865-2787.

PUNA MEN'S CHORUS
A new 'brother' chorus for SFGMC

Photo opp at Puna Men's Chorus retreat, Sat. Sept. 27, 2008

As the "grandfather" of the gay choral movement, SFGMC has long felt a responsibility and desire to work with new choruses that might benefit from our 30 years of experience. In turn, by working with new organizations we benefit from the invigoration of new ideas and enthusiasm and through serving our mission as San Francisco's ambassadors. In an effort to formalize ways in which we might do this, we have begun to build a partnership with a new chorus in Hawaii.

Puna Men's Chorus was co-founded by SFGMC alumnus Daron Scarborough (pictured right) 18 months ago. Daron last sang with SFGMC in 2000, and then left his computer-focused job in the Bay Area to pursue the warm climes and black sands of Hawaii. He now works for an AIDS service organization, as well as conducting PMC. Daron has a music education degree and is a respected and well-loved leader in his new community. His energy, passion and strong musical ability (not to mention good looks!) bring people together in the "wild west" of Hawaii in a region that has become a popular alternative destination for gay men.

Daron reconnected with SFGMC to borrow some music from our library, and we started discussing ways in which our two organizations might work together. With SFGMC being the world's first gay men's chorus and PMC being one of the newest and the first chorus of its kind on the Big Island, and given our historic connection and physical proximity, we felt it would be a fruitful and rewarding relationship to pursue.

PMC rehearsal, Monday, Sept. 29, 2008
(yep, that's yours truly in the Hawaiian shirt)

As a first step, last weekend I flew out to Hawaii to participate in PMC's retreat and rehearsal, and also to meet with members of the PMC board to discuss "twinning" our organizations. The cost of the flight was shared between SFGMC and PMC. Puna is located on the south-east corner of the Big Island near Hilo, close to active lava flowing into the ocean (which I went to see by boat at dawn with Daron's brother Damon and a group of chorus men and their friends). I had a great time working with the chorus and made some wonderful new friends.

I also spent some invaluable time networking with Daron, sharing ideas and music. I was fortunate to be able to attend his rehearsal with a marimba ensemble and tyko drummers as they prepared some of Daron's fabulous arrangements. I was so taken with the music that I intend to include it in SFGMC's Pride Concert performance next June; some of the members of PMC are planning to come and join us for that concert, too!

Marimba ensemble rehearsal, Daron conducting (right)

PMC currently is preparing a collaborative, benefit concert for World AIDS Day (December 1) in Honolulu, Oahu, with the 20-year-old Honolulu Men's Chorus. Then, on December 5, the Honolulu Men's Chorus will travel to the Big Island and they will repeat the program together in Hilo. Both groups each consist of about 20 men. PMC's music selections are almost entirely from SFGMC's repertoire, including several movements from NakedMan, "I Shall Miss Loving You" from When We No Longer Touch, and recent favorites "Caravan of Love," and "Will I" from Rent.

Although small in number, the men make a wonderful sound together and have a lot of experience between them. They're capable of performing a wide variety of styles, from world music, to pop and show tunes, and classical repertoire. There are well-established, large, traditional men's choirs in Hawaii, but being the first and only chorus on the Big Island whose mission is to be a place of unity and healing for all men, irrespective of their orientation, poses such challenges for PMC as finding an audience, recruiting new members, and developing funds. The concerts in December, and the new relationship with SFGMC, promise to bring new visibility and growth to PMC.

Here are some comments I received from PMC re my visit:

I'm really sorry I wasn't there last Sat. because that woman was MAGIC!
-Don Boyd, Tenor 2

Thanks for organizing Kathleen to be here for the retreat and at Monday's rehearsal! I think everyone enjoyed her and hope that she can come back for a visit soon!
– Glenn Manaba, Tenor 1 and President of the Board

Having Kathleen here to work with us was truly a life altering experience. The growth in our group quality and individual commitment from just one short weekend has been outstanding. With the idea of a partnership between the Puna Men’s Chorus and SFGMC, I can better see the potential for changing this world we live in and I am looking forward to seeing more miracles happen around us.
– Daron Scarborough, Artistic Director

It was a great honor to work with PMC on behalf of SFGMC; I look forward to my next visit! We hope that the relationship that develops between our organizations will become a model to be adopted by other organizations within GALA Choruses.

To learn more about Puna Men's Chorus, visit the website: http://punamenschorus.org/index.php

SEPTEMBER, 2008

2008-09-08T11:47:00.000-07:00

DEAR FRIENDS,

This month, I'll tell you about the very special guests who are joining us for our ensembles concert, In The Mood, which will be held at the end of October, and also give you some more information about the wonderful pop/rock/folk song-cycle we've commissioned for our 30th Anniversary concert in December. Composer Steve Schalchlin has shared some personal thoughts about how the piece began. In preparation for the concert, the chorus has just spent a few days together in the woods on retreat with guest clinician, Dr. Timothy Seelig.

SPECIAL GUESTS IN OCTOBER:
CAPTAIN SMARTYPANTS

Captain Smartypants, directed by Eric Lane Barnes, is a small ensemble of the Seattle Men's Chorus. Their appearance with SFGMC's ensembles, The Lollipop Guild and Vocal Minority, will be the 'Pants's San Francisco debut! Hailed as one of the finest ensembles in GALA Chorus-dom, and certainly the funniest, this is a concert you shouldn't miss. Here is the group's published bio, which gives you a taste of their humor:

Captain Smartypants was discovered by Madame Curie in 1913 as she was emptying a test tube. The radioactive slime mold developed in the Paris sewers until it gained consciousness and crossed the Atlantic. Upon landing in America, this new life form sprouted legs and strode across the continent, singing Partridge Family songs all the while. They settled in Seattle where they became quickly known as ‘Those Nine Homosexuals Who Won’t Stop Singing.’

In 2004, Captain Smartypants toured the Puget sound region performing the show based on their astonishing CD titled UnderCover, which was called ‘… the best CD ever made in the history of music’ by Hyperbole Magazine. Their shows Trousers of Terror, and PowerPants! played to packed houses in Seattle and beyond. Look for their new show Cirque du Slaque in spring of 2008.

Captain Smartypants has performed with Ann Wilson, Melissa Manchester, Megan Mullally, Kristin Chenoweth and Lea Delaria, and was Seattle’s warm-up act for Margaret Cho when she filmed The Notorious C.H.O. in 2002. They all live together in a treehouse in Yelm, where they weave all their own clothing out of wild vines. Their favorite color is ‘plaid’ and they eat nothing but circus peanuts and fiddlehead ferns. Eric Lane Barnes, Assistant Artistic Director of Seattle Men’s Chorus, is their trepid leader.

In The Mood, October 24 and 25, will feature SFGMC's ensembles, along with Captain Smartypants, performing selections from their recent concerts at the GALA Choruses Festival in Miami. Featuring some of the finest SFGMC has to offer, here are the details:

IN THE MOOD
Come and hear what thousands heard in Miami, right here in San Francisco!

Featuring:
The Lollipop Guild directed by Paul Saccone
Vocal Minority directed by Stephanie Lynne Smith

Special guests:
Captain Smartypants directed by Eric Lane Barnes - small ensemble of Seattle Men's Chorus in their San Francisco debut

Fri. Oct. 24, 2008 - 8 pm
Sat. Oct. 25, 2008 - 2 pm & 8 pm
Brava Theater Center, 2781 24th Street, San Francisco

Tickets: www.sfgmc.org
Ph: 415-865-ARTS (2787)

REHEARSAL RETREAT

Members of the chorus have just returned from our fall retreat. The chorus goes away on retreat twice a year, usually at Camp Newman north of Santa Rosa. Retreats are galvanizing insofar as we spend concentrated time learning our music, and we also spend time getting to know each other. This is especially important for our "newbie" members who joined only a a few weeks ago. The Faux Talent Show on Saturday night is a wonderful way for members to showcase their 'talents' before a loving audience of peers.

Joining us at this retreat was guest clinician: Dr. Timothy Seelig from Dallas, TX (pictured left - photo by Erwin Barron). Dr. Seelig is an expert in vocal pedagogy and has written several best-selling books on the subject. He is the artistic director in-residence of GALA Choruses, and was the director of Turtle Creek Chorale for twenty years. In addition to enjoying the swimming pool and water slide in unusually glorious sunshine, the members spent rehearsal time with Dr. Seelig as he reinforced some important principles of vocal technique.

It also bears mentioning that Dr. Seelig was particularly impressed with the new music we were rehearsing. He said to me as he left: "I think you've got a hit on your hands." Some have likened it to "the next NakedMan" (SFGMC's 1996 commission) due to the work's accessibility, the breadth of the material covered, and topics relevant to today's gay and social-justic political climate.

SFGMC's 30th ANNIVERSARY CONCERT - NEW SONG-CYCLE:

by renowned gay composer/performer
Steve Schalchlin
(The Last Session, The Big Voice: God or Merman?)

This wonderful new pop/rock/folk song cycle will premiere on Monday, December 1, 2008, at Louise M. Davies Symphony Hall, commemorating the San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus's landmark 30th Anniversary.

Here are just a few of Schalchlin's awards and honors:

Best Score, L.A. Drama Critics Circle, 1997 & 2003
Best Musical, L.A. Ovation Awards, 2005
Best Musical, ADA Awards, 2005
Best Musical Director, ADA Awards, 2005
Best Lead Actor in a a Musical nomination, L.A. Ovation Awards, 2005
PFLAG-LA Oscar Wilde Award, 1997 & 2003
Best Concert of a Music, Best Original Writing, Desert Theatre League Awards 2005
Best Theatrical Production nomination, Off-Broadway & L.A. GLAAD Media Awards, 2004
Best L.A. Theatre Production, GLAAD Media Awards, 1997

To learn more about the composer and even hear some of the songs, visit Steve's blog: http://bonusroundblog.blogspot.com

Composer Steve Schalchlin wrote the following notes about how the work came to be. There are still opportunities available to sponsor the commission. If you are interested or would like more information, please contact the SFGMC administrative office, ph: 415-865-3650, info@sfgmc.org

THE MAKING OF NEW WORLD WAKING!
Songs on the Road to Peace
Inspired by John Lennon's Piano

by Steve Schalchlin

New World Waking! came together in my mind on the day I was selected by pop star George Michael (and his partner, art gallery owner Kenny Goss) to play John Lennon's IMAGINE Piano in the front yard of a house in Olympia, Washington as part of a photographic project. The piano was being taken to places where acts of violence occurred, such as Ford's Theatre, Dallas, Memphis, Oklahoma City and the kitchen of Alec and Gabi Clayton, where their son, Bill, had taken his life after a gay bashing.

I knew this family, the Claytons, and I had written a song about Bill and the aftermath of his suicide in a song called, "Will It Always Be Like This?" (Now the opening number of NWW, following the Prologue.)

I had been writing the songs over a period of four years, with a general idea of what it was about, but the thing hadn't come together. I didn't know what I was writing. I just knew these songs were making a lot of sense to me. (I've written the scores of both our shows in this Zen fashion, writing without a destination in mind.)

So that sunny day in Olympia, after the truck pulled up and delivered the piano beneath a shade tree in the front yard, I was sitting there looking down at John Lennon's cigarette burns, touching the keys he touched, and thinking about him. What was he thinking the day he wrote this song? How much of a difference did the feel and sound of the piano make in the creation of the number?

I sang "Imagine," remembering that the first time I played it was in a Columbus, Ohio airport hotel lounge the night he was killed. Played it perfectly all the way through that night, to an empty bar, without ever having played it before. My fingers just found the chords and my mouth sang the words. It was like magic, the way the song had imprinted itself in my brain.

And I thought how amazing it would feel to write a song of perfect peace. A song that reaches so far into your heart that it strikes a common chord of yearning we have as human beings for peace and justice (because one without the other is impossible).

That's when I saw the entire song cycle in my mind, as if John Lennon had given me a little gift.

THE SAN FRANCISCO GAY MEN'S CHORUS

Then, last year, Jim and I were in San Francisco performing our musical, The Big Voice: God or Merman? and I invited Doctor Kathleen McGuire of the SFGMC to attend. Afterwards, I told her I had a song cycle for peace and asked if I could audition it for her. Soon, we sat in a little rehearsal room and, on a tiny, well-worn upright rehearsal piano, I started at the beginning...

"Will It Always Be Like This...", the story of Bill and Gabi Clayton.

I feel like the SFGMC, especially because they were the first gay men's chorus in the history of our planet (well, except for the chorus at the Vatican) was the perfect fit because the thing about John Lennon is that his music and his life were political. His belief in peace and justice, and the open way he advocated and fought for it, his very existence was an activist act.

The San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus are political and social activists by their mere existence.
And, I suppose by virtue of my own existence, I became an activist.

PATIENT ADVOCACY & ONLINE HEALTH ACTIVISM
INTERNET PIONEER

It all began in March of 1996, the day I began keeping what Yahoo/GeoCities designated a "Landmark Website," my online AIDS diary called "Living In The Bonus Round." At the time, I was just trying to keep my family informed of how sick I was so they would know when they could order the casket because I was dying. Fast.

Modern blogs do this routinely, but back then, it was totally unique. In fact, my AIDS diary is the oldest, continuous AIDS diary online. But, again, I wasn't thinking in those terms. I was sick. I just needed help and I wanted to make a statement to the world before dying.

Unbeknownst to me, it became a source of crucial information for doctors, caregivers and medical students around the world who were facing HIV and AIDS for the first time, far from the rest of the world.

I became a sample case study played out in real time, worldwide. One of the first, I later learned. By writing about my treatments, my emotions, side effects, etc. they were learning about the disease on a personal basis. (I even got to meet Dr. Bruce Dorsey, the Merck scientist who created the drug that eventually saved my life).

I was then invited to Harvard University School of Public Health, where my diary was incorporated into the course curriculum materials for that year. The Harvard Gay and Lesbian Club sponsored a concert where I sang the songs from my musical about AIDS, The Last Session.

This continued exposure brought me into doing AIDS education programs for high schools, colleges, universities, churches, synagogues, theaters and other groups all over the country, including the prestigious Jonathan King Lecture at the Stanford University School of Medicine Center for Biomedical ethics.

And that's how I became a health advocate.

But the diary reached into more communities than I could have anticipated.

LGBT ACTIVISM

It led me to PFLAG where I became active online, talking to parents and scared gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender persons. I corresponded with a young man, for instance, named Jason Hungerford who, at 19, was creating safe spaces for teens at AOL. So, I helped in the creation of, and served as Board Chair of Youth Guardian Services, an online peer support group for GLBT youth and their straight friends. They've now counseled tens of thousands of GLBT youth and saved many lives.

I also, in that first year, encouraged a mother named Gabi Clayton to tell the story of her bisexual son's suicide. She has since become very active in the Safe Schools Coalition and helped found Families United Against Hate, for which I proudly serve on the Board of Directors. We provide comfort to the families of hate crime victims.

RELIGION AND NON-VIOLENCE

As a recovering Baptist, my diary also began attracting those who opposed not just the fact that I was openly gay, but that I totally accepted my homosexuality on a spiritual level. My confrontations with conservative religionists led me to reading the Soul Force principals about how to combat violence with non-violence.

I participated in the historic first March To Lynchburg to protest the hate language of Jerry Falwell.

We were supposed to have lunch with him and his church members. But Rev. Falwell, at the last minute, withdrew his offer of a lunch because, he said, 'the bible' told him not to eat with sinners. So, instead, we sat with his church members and drank water. It was a little like visiting strangers in prison.

THE START OF NEW WORLD WAKING!

The first songs for New World Waking! came from a stack of lyrics given to me by my friend, Rev. Peter J. Carman, the pastor of Lakewood Ave. Baptist church in Rochester, New York.

Peter had taken a bunch of standard "high church" hymns, few of which I'd even heard of since I was raised with a more rural Southern canon. He had written all new lyrics to the old melodies. And since I love writing music to finished lyrics, I took them with me.

Unlike a lot of newer hymns trying to be really theologically neutral, which I think sometimes can feel limp and bloodless, I found Peter's themes and words were deeply emotional and spiritually contemporary without seeming stiff or patronizing. I strung four of them, my favorites, together and played them over and over again.

Then, on New Year's Eve, 2004, I had a vision.

It was about 3am and I was sitting alone in the ship's piano bar playing through these songs when I suddenly saw, in my mind, an image of all the gods sitting around a bar not drinking and not talking to each other.

It felt like a reflection of society and the world's religions. Everyone in their own corners. No one really talking and no one really listening -- and I realized how there seem to be a dearth of role models of peace in the worlds of religion and politics and media.

Then, in my mind, I saw a huge hall. A beautiful piece of music was playing and everyone in the hall, of all ages, races, cultures and creeds, was at one with the music. This was before I played Lennon's piano. But at that moment, I realized that we musicians have the power, as creators of music, to bridge divides and reach across cultures.

I began furiously writing new songs. New lyrics about War. The mass media. Religious violence. But still not knowing what it was all adding up to; just trusting the process.

Fast forward a few years. I'm sitting there beneath and shade tree in the front yard at the Clayton's home in Olympia Washington about to put my hands where John Lennon's hands once were, the instrument whose sound inspired the song 'Imagine', and I knew in that moment New World Waking! was meant to be:

A simple song of peace from one gay man, and one gay chorus, one gay community, to the world.

And it all starts with "Will it always be like this?"

--Composer/lyricist Steve Schalchlin

AUGUST, 2008

2008-08-06T17:38:00.000-07:00

DEAR FRIENDS,

I'm writing not actually "from the podium" this month, but from a small town in Victoria, Australia, 200 km north of Melbourne. It's winter, and a stark contrast from the humidity of Miami we experienced just a few short weeks ago!

Sunrise at property where I'm staying in Australia

I'm here working on the choral arrangements for Pantheon Bar & Grill - a folk-rock peace cantata by renowned composer, Steve Schalchlin. Rehearsals for this new work begin at the end of the month, and the premiere will be at Davies Symphony Hall on Monday, December 1 as part of SFGMC's 30th Anniversary Concert. Those of you who were at Davies in May heard a sneak preview - the concert finale, "My Rising Up," was a movement from Pantheon. I'll be telling you more about this inspiring music in the months ahead.

Right now, the chorus is gearing up for its third annual Catered By The Chorus fund raiser. I'm hosting a dinner at AsiaSF on Wednesday, August 20. As I write this there are only 4 seats left, so don't miss out on this chance to spend a couple of hours with me in close-quarters! And of course I'll be at the Crescendo party on Saturday, August 23rd. If you've never been to the Palace Hotel, it's a real treat. The chorus sang there for the first time in May for the Academy of Gospel Music Awards, and we fell in love with the space.

The entertainment at Crescendo will be a real treat, too. Making her SFGMC-event debut, emcee and performer Terese Genecco is incredible. Her music spans many styles; the first time I heard her, she performed everything from jazz standards to pop classics. She's a great entertainer and her show has been described as "Frisky, retro fun!" Also on the entertainment bill are Dixieland Dykes + 3 (the "3" are the guys in the group!), and glam/electro/pop band, Ejector. Led by SFGMC alumnus Ben Holder, I have to admit I was pleasantly surprised when I visited the band's MySpace page and listened to some of their music. I thought, "Wow, I actually like this!" I'm sure you will, too.

I look forward to seeing you at the end of the month at this great event. For tickets, visit: http://www.sfgmc.org/

Cheers,
Kathleen

JULY 2008

2008-07-24T13:51:00.001-07:00

Dear friends,

This month's column includes details of our trip to Miami participating in the GALA Choruses festival, including:

SFGMC's Miami performance summary
Festival highlight: youth choruses
Reviews
Future travel plans

Last week, almost 120 members of the San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus were in Miami, Florida, participating with 5000 singers from North America and Europe in the Gay And Lesbian Association of Choruses' quadrennial Festival! The event was a huge success, and SFGMC's performances were well-attended and highly praised. If you're a regular SFGMC concert attendee, you have already heard some of what was presented in Miami. The good news is that our ensembles, whose programs are new, will present a special concert in October so that you'll get to hear what they did in Miami! You're in for a real treat, but more about that in the coming months.

SFGMC tenors sing "Safeer el-Layl" by Ilyas Iliya

Ziff Ballet Opera House, July 13, 2008
Photo: Rick Simon

WHY PARTICIPATE IN THE FESTIVAL?
The rewards of participating - as an organization and for the individuals who sing - are enormous. SFGMC re-established itself as a leader in the GLBT choral world, and the thrill of spending a week with 5000+ queer singers is almost indescribable. All of the choruses there sing for each other, so it's a great way to find new music and to network. We in San Francisco are accustomed to being around a lot of gay folks most of the time, but there are many coming from small, isolated areas for whom this is a rarity. As such, being there for those folks is very important in our role as ambassadors of San Francisco's LGBT community. It also helps us to feel connected to a wider GLBT community, both nationally and internationally, and to deepen our understanding of our part in it. Most importantly, though - it's fun! The friends made and stories to tell will stay with us for a lifetime.

YOUTH CHORUSES
One of the most moving experiences for me at the Festival was the concert block featuring GLBTA youth choruses. Four years ago, in Montreal, only one youth chorus participated. This time there were six choruses, including 75 singers. GALA Choruses went to great lengths to ensure youth participation, providing airfare and accommodation for many, and special youth-focused activities. The performances by the youth choruses were entertaining and extremely varied, and most of them were obviously youth-driven. San Francisco's own GLAM Youth Choir is in flux at the moment as they seek a new conductor, but they still had representation there with members participating in the first youth Festival chorus. GLASS Youth Choir from Vacouver - the world's first GLBTA youth chorus - was spectacular and as the longest-establish youth chorus truly set the bar.

VENUES

The main concerts took place at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts for Miami-Dade County. This new Center includes two massive, adjacent performance halls: the Ziff Ballet Opera House and the Knight Concert Hall, each seating at least 2500. Opening and Closing Ceremonies, and a mid-week event celebrating GALA Choruses's 25th anniversary, were held at the James L. Knight Center, which seats more than 4500.

SFGMC'S PERFORMANCES

In all, SFGMC presented six performances in Miami:

1) SFGMC's main set, Ziff Ballet Opera House, Sunday, July 13. This program included selections from our concert at Davies Symphony Hall. 35 members of the Community Women's Orchestra also came to Miami and accompanied the chorus.

2) Special performance of U.S.S. Metaphor at the Hilton Hotel's Symphony Ballroom, Monday, July 14. A standing-room-only crowd of approximately 1000 enjoyed the show, which was preceded by a 30-minute concert presented by the Community Women's Orchestra.

U.S.S. Metaphor rehearsal
Hilton Hotel Ballroom, Miami
Photo: Skip Leasure

3) No Talent Show, Jungle Island, Wednesday, July 16. Acts for the show were auditioned in advance via video, and SFGMC was selected! The "no talent" act was SFGMC's fabulous trio - Cecil Johnson, Sanford Smith and Michael Tate - performing "Lounging At The Waldorf." I also participated in the show, playing bass guitar.

4) SFGMC's newest ensemble, del Castro, performed at the Ziff Ballet Opera House on Saturday, July 19. Directed by Grace Renaud, del Castro performed music from several continents.

5) SFGMC ensemble Vocal Minority performed at the Ziff Ballet Opera House on Saturday, July 19. Grace directed the music and chorus member Zack Wilde did the stage direction. VM's set celebrated SFGMC's national tour of 1981.

6) SFGMC ensemble The Lollipop Guild performed at the Knight Concert Hall on Saturday, July 19. The largest of the SFGMC sub-groups, the lads looked resplendent in their red shirts and ties.

SFGMC had a strong presence in other areas throughout the week, including:

SFGMC booth at the Expo (the new U.S.S. Metaphor DVD was a big seller)
SFGMC member Sanford Smith led three cardio workout sessions at the Hilton Hotel
SFGMC's closing party at the Hyatt - reputedly the best Festival party ever! The party featured men and women go-go dancers from SFGMC and from other choruses. I'm still getting messages from other choruses saying how much fun they had and thanking us for including other choruses in this manner. And in case you're wondering, no, I didn't do any go-go dancing myself!

GETTING THERE - IT AIN'T CHEAP!
SFGMC's participation in the GALA Choruses festivals is funded almost entirely through the generosity of the individual members who pay their own way. Costs included event registration, accommodation, airfare, ground transportation, meals, and so on. Our members also take as many as seven vacation days in order to participate. Chorus members also participate in special fund raising efforts to assist those members who could not otherwise afford to participate. All of our staff and several of our contractors also attend, which is a significant expense for the organization.

FUTURE TRAVEL FOR SFGMC

The chorus is planning travel in the next few years. While not yet finalized, we hope to participate in the events listed below. If you are interested in helping to fund a trip, please let us know, ph: 415-865-3650, info@sfgmc.org

May 1 - 4, 2009 - Various Voices GLBT choral festival, London, UK
The Lollipop Guild hopes to sing in celebration of its 30th anniversary. Other members of SFGMC may also participate as members of a North American Festival Chorus, directed by Dr. Tim Seelig.

July 31 - August 7, 2010 - Gay Games Cultural Festival, Cologne, Germany
Should this trip come to pass, SFGMC will make its European debut! Coinciding with my 10th season with SFGMC, I have also been approached to lead a North American Festival Chorus in Cologne for this event. I am currently serving on behalf of GALA Choruses on the international General Assembly of the Federation of Gay Games, and I am a member of the Cultural Festival Committee.

July 2012 - GALA Choruses Festival 9, location TBA
Who knows - San Francisco?!

MIAMI PERFORMANCE REVIEWS:

Received from a fan - and member of the Turtle Creek Chorale - during the festival:

Dear Kathleen McGuire,

I had the pleasure of briefly greeting you Monday after the TCC’s [Turtle Creek Chorale's] rehearsal. It was a pleasure to be able to say in person what I have earlier said via email: Bravo! Bravo! Bravo!!!

I had a wonderful experience 8 weeks ago attending your “Making Our Dreams Come True” concert at Davies. It was both a treat and a privilege to be present for that. I was extremely impressed with that performance as my email about the concert – which I also passed along to Jonathan Palant and to Tim Seelig – surely made quite clear.

I am writing today to add further accolades upon what you and the chorus have accomplished this week at GALA.

Most notably, I must say that I was profoundly moved – no exaggeration to say so – by your performance of “USS Metaphor!”

I am confident that you will have heard hundreds of effusive compliments by now – all richly deserved – but I cannot withhold adding my own to the litany. Simply put, I think that “USS Metaphor” is a masterpiece! I have been a lifelong Gilbert and Sullivan fan, and have made something of a study of their works. (Though Berkeley offered no class on G&S when I was in school, nevertheless I and one of my music professors engaged in long and serious discussions of the merits of Sullivan’s music and Gilbert’s texts on several occasions, and these talks were always stimulating.) I have more recordings, DVDs, and books about G&S than I can readily catalogue. I love both strict interpretations (whatever that really might be) and revised productions. I am no “Savoy Purist,” and I do feel that Gilbert and Sullivan are well served by judicious modern updates to the texts and references.

How utterly delighted I was with “Metaphor,” then! I am convinced that it is *exactly* in the spirit of Gilbert’s works (though, given his Victorian life, he might well have recoiled from such a subject ;-) because Gilbert loved nothing so much as to burst the bubbles of the smug and self-satisfied. And “Metaphor” does exactly that and so much more!

It is refreshing – a tonic, really – to take in a gay-themed “cause” work which does not make me reach for my Kleenex in grief! Mind you, I was often dewy-eyed as I watched “Metaphor” Monday, but it was simply the result of an overpowering emotion of delight which kept recurring. When one is so stirred, even with joy, it’s hard to keep the eyes dry.

“Metaphor” is simply brilliant: an utterly contemporary and apt update of the original silly tale with lyrics that are at once up-to-date and timely, yet which serve the spirit and style of Gilbert’s own originals. (Gilbert once even penned a tongue-in-cheek parody of “He Is An Englishman” with the very phrase “He Is American,” but his was far more patronizing and condescending to us Yankees :-) As I listened and watched on Monday, I could hardly believe that what I was hearing was not actually Gilbert, though I knew for certain it could not be. Yet so completely was his style and spirit carried into the updated lyrics and text that it took an effort to recall that this was not Gilbert’s own.

The orchestra and the chorus and the soloists did the production proud! I was fully impressed with everyone’s contribution. From the first strains of the overture, I was captivated. It took no effort at all to stand through the whole performance (timing being what it was :-) because I was transported wholly into the show. The orchestra was excellent, and they did an amazing job for a relatively small ensemble. The chorus did outstanding work with both the singing and the choreography. I must extend my praise to everyone who was involved. And I must extend my thanks.

Naturally, I bought the DVD immediately after the show. It is already my favorite G&S DVD, and I do not blush to say that I have watched it twice since I returned home Tuesday evening. It bears the repetition.

Again, my sincere congratulations, compliments, and thanks for the performance. I will also be sending you a contribution check in recognition of how very grateful I am for the production.

Jamie Rawson, PSO Education Services, VMware, Inc.

For an overview of the entire week from one audience member's perspective (including mention of SFGMC's performance), go to: http://minnesotamist.blogspot.com

JUNE, 2008

2008-06-14T13:28:00.001-07:00

DEAR FRIENDS,

On Friday, June 13, KQED showed the documentary Why We Sing again (featuring SFGMC), and I was taken back once more to 2004 and San Francisco's same-sex marriages. Last month, on May 15, SFGMC sang at the LGBT Community Center in celebration of the CA Supreme Court's decision to allow same-sex marriages, and we will sing again on June 17 at City Hall to celebrate the beginning of this new era for our community. As I watched Why We Sing on Friday, I turned to producer/director Bud Dillon and said, "Isn't it great that we've come so far in the last four years?" I'm convinced that his film helped to change hearts and minds, which is also what SFGMC is all about. I'm so proud of what we do in our community for all of those who will benefit in the future. These are amazing times, and we have much to celebrate in Pride month this year.

In this month's issue of From The Podium, learn about the music you'll hear at the Pride Concert, and find out what SFGMC will be doing in Miami in July! I'll also introduce you to SFGMC's new Principal Pianist, and also members who serve as SFGMC's Assistant Conductors.

OUR MESSAGE IS MUSIC

30TH ANNUAL PRIDE CONCERT, June 26 & 27, 2008

June is Pride month, and SFGMC is gearing up for the 30th Annual Pride Concert! As in previous years, SFGMC will share the stage with the SF Lesbian/Gay Freedom Band and the Lesbian/Gay Chorus of SF. All three groups were founded by Jon Reed Sims, beginning with the Band. 1978 was the year that the Freedom Band first marched in the Pride Parade. The Pride Concert this year will commemorate the Band's 30th anniversary, with special guest conductors from the Band's past including Nancy Corporon and Jadine Louie.

SFGMC has some brand new arrangements to perform, including: "Seasons of Love" from Jonathan Larson's musical about AIDS: Rent arranged by SFGMC member Paul Saccone; "MacArthur Park" - yes, the Richard Harris pop classic, arranged by SFGMC member John Raines; and I have arranged the version of "Over The Rainbow" made famous by "IZ." We will also reprise the very popular "If You Were Gay" from Avenue Q, which was part of our Divas' Revenge concert in 2005.

If you're not familiar with this particular version of "Over The Rainbow," CLICK HERE to see it on YouTube. The performer known as IZ became widely popular in 1996 when National Public Radio did a feature on him. The following year, when IZ died, it was clear that he was the Bob Marley of Hawaii. His casket lay in state at the Capitol, and 10,000 fans came to say goodbye. When his ashes were poured into Makua Bay, thunderous cheers continued for an hour, and family members and friends ran into the ocean to be with IZ one last time.

In case you're feeling jaded about celebrating Pride this year, think back to when you or a loved one first came out. Pride celebrations are extremely important. They provide a sense of belonging and help many to realize that they're not alone. This year's Pride Concert title stems from a quote from Jon Sims. After the White Night riots, a reporter asked Sims how the Band would be involved in protests. He responded, very simply, that our "message is music." Come and celebrate what we've been doing - as the longest running event of its kind in the world - for 30 years. It truly will be a night to remember.

GALA CHORUSES FESTIVAL 8, JULY 12 - 19, 2008 - MIAMI

SFGMC - joined by the Community Women's Orchestra - is traveling to Miami in July, along with 5000+ LGBT singers from around the world, to participate in the eighth quadrennial festival of the Gay and Lesbian Association of Choruses. Approximately 120 men from SFGMC are making the trip. Most members pay their own way, and special fund raising efforts allow for others to participate also.

SFGMC will perform several times:

Sunday, July 13, 10:15 pm

Ziff Ballet Opera House

SFGMC official set, performing selections from the recent Making Our Dreams Come True concert at Davies Symphony Hall and selections from U.S.S. Metaphor

Monday, July 14, 11:30 am

Symphony Ballroom, Hilton Hotel

U.S.S. Metaphor

Wednesday, July 16

SFGMC is represented at the Talent Show by three tenors: Cecil O'Neal Johnson, Sanford

Smith, and Michael Tate, performing "Lounging at the Waldorf."

Saturday, July 19

SFGMC's three ensembles - del Castro, The Lollipop Guild, and Vocal Minority - will perform

SFGMC will host a party on Saturday night after the official closing ceremony, and SFGMC member Sanford Smith will host aerobics sessions throughout the week at the Hilton Hotel. In all, SFGMC will be extremely visible at the Festival, proudly earning its reputation as a leader in the LGBT choral movement.

NEW SFGMC MUSIC STAFF & VOLUNTEERS

PRINCIPAL PIANIST: THADDEUS PINKSTON

New to SFGMC this year (March) is Principal Pianist, Thaddeus Pinkston. Keisuke Nakagoshi, who was with us for the last couple of years, is now a staff pianist at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music and was unable to continue with us due visa restrictions. Thaddeus was a former pianist of the Oakland East Bay Gay Men's Chorus, and worked under SFGMC's first appointed artistic director, Dick Kramer. We are thrilled to have Thaddeus join our staff. He is an extremely versatile pianist, comfortable in all styles from classical to jazz. He is also an accomplished arranger, and we look forward to utilizing all of his skills in the future.

ASSISTANT CONDUCTORS: GARRY HANNA & PAUL SACCONE

SFGMC receives so many performance requests these days, it has become impossible for me to keep up with all of the appearances on my own. Chorus members Garry Hanna and Paul Saccone now serve as volunteer Assistant Conductors. Both are extremely capable musicians and are highly respected by the members of the chorus. Garry also serves as a Bass Section Leader, and Paul is also the Music Director of The Lollipop Guild. At a recent SingOut event, Senator-elect Mark Leno inquired: "where's Kathleen?", to which Paul responded, "Here I am!" We are fortunate indeed to have such talent in our midst.

APRIL, 2008

2008-04-27T08:12:00.000-07:00

DEAR FRIENDS,

In this month's issue you will read reviews from our Bump and Grind cabaret at the magnificent Regency Center, and learn about the wonderful process the chorus has experienced this spring working with composers and conductor Vance Y. George on the music for our forthcoming concert at Davies Symphony Hall: Making Our Dreams Come True.

But first, I have great news for you - our first DVD, U.S.S. Metaphor, is at the manufacturer and will be ready in May!

U.S.S. Metaphor DVD - hot off the press
A year ago, SFGMC performed and filmed U.S.S. Metaphor in concert at Davies Symphony Hall. With video direction by our own award-winning Lawrence "Bud" Dillon (Why We Sing), the release of the DVD in 2008 coincides with SFGMC's 30th anniversary season and with the 15th anniversary of the military's discriminatory Don't Ask Don't Tell policy. U.S.S. Metaphor is SFGMC's very own hilarious, tongue-in-cheek adaptation of Gilbert and Sullivan's H.M.S. Pinafore. The DVD includes two fabulous bonus tracks: a unique behind-the-scenes at Davies, including interviews with Jan Wahl, and a beautiful slide show of photographs taken by Barbara Meier and Rick Gerharter. We're very proud of this new release, which will be available on our website and at our May 16 concert at Davies Symphony Hall.

Next Concert: MAKING OUR DREAMS COME TRUE

Friday, May 16, 8 pm is the night we hope to make your dreams come true in a program celebrating music from the chorus's past and also premiering new music as we look to the future. The Community Women's Orchestra will accompany the chorus once more. The concert's title song - yes, it's from the Laverne and Shirley TV show - takes us back to the late '70s when the chorus first began. The lyrics are surprisingly poignant:

There is nothing we won't try,

Never heard the word "impossible,"
This time, there's no stopping us...

And we'll do it our way, yes our way,
Make all our dreams come true
For me and you.

The "looking back" part of our program features three movements from Randall Thompson's The Testament of Freedom, with words from letters and writings by Thomas Jefferson. The chorus has performed it on many important and significant occasions since 1981. Some of these include:

1981 spring concert (First Congregational Church & Trinity Episcopalian)
1981 national tour (incl. an impromptu a cappella rendition at Jefferson Memorial - pictured below)
1981 pride concert (when Diane Feinstein awarded SFGMC the Key to the City)
1982 gay games, Kezar Stadium
1986 GALA Choruses Festival, Minneapolis (protesting the supreme court's support of anti-sodomy laws)
1987 concert under Greg Tallman (accompanied by the Bay Area Women's Philharmonic)
2001 East Coast Tour (celebrating the 20th anniversary of the national tour, with performances at the Kennedy Center with Gay Men's Chorus of Washington DC and Carnegie Hall with New York City Gay Men's Chorus)

Dick Kramer conducts SFGMC singing The Testament of Freedom
Jefferson Memorial, Washington DC, June 1981
Photo: Jim Bohannon

The Testament of Freedom is about pioneering Americans standing up for their rights, and for SFGMC it symbolizes the chorus's 30-years of providing a voice for the gay and allied communities.

In this part of the concert, we also reprise "Tonight" from West Side Story, which was a big hit in 2005 at our Divas' Revenge concert. This time, however, we perform it with orchestra, and in usual SFGMC fashion, we make it our own - instead of dueling gangs, we have a "hair off." It defies description!

Vance Y. George, Grammy-winning conductor emeritus of the San Francisco Symphony Chorus, was a guest conductor of SFGMC in 1985. Vance (pictured) has been working closely with the chorus as we prepare for this concert. He is my mentor and colleague, and has lent to the chorus his expertise during our rehearsals. Vance is the quintessential expert on choral singing at Davies Symphony Hall, and our audience will certainly reap the benefit of his time with the chorus.

Vance has adapted and will conduct a piece by Franz Liszt especially in honor of SFGMC's 30th anniversary season. Originally "God Save The King" in Latin, Vance re-wrote the words; "Honor the Vision" pays tribute to SFGMC's bold statement as an out and proud group of gay men - something he was not able to do himself in the 1980s for fear of losing his job.

Act II - Looking Forward - includes some remarkable new commissions. Creating new works for our choral movement is so important. After all, if we don't tell our stories, who will? You will hear the world premiere of several new works by gay composers:

Safeer el-Layl (Ambassador of the Night) by Ilyas Iliya
Local gay composer, Ilyas Iliya, came to San Francisco from Lebanon in 1991. The performance of this new work, sung in Arabic, Ilyas believes will mark the first time a gay chorus has sung such a work by a gay Middle Eastern composer. The haunting music, using indigenous tonalities, is an a cappella antiphonal piece unlike anything SFGMC has ever performed. Ilyas has attended most rehearsals, working closely with the chorus to assist with pronunciation of the Arabic. The music represents the struggle faced by the gay community in the Middle East today.

Love by Philip Littell and David Conte
Long-time followers of SFGMC will recognize the names of lyricist and composer: Littell wrote the words for SFGMC's 1996 commission, NakedMan, and Conte (pictured) wrong the music of Invocation and Dance for SFGMC in 1986. Love is a lush piece, with orchestra, that speaks to the very essence of why our queer community exists: simply, love. Conte and Littell went back and forth for a while until they found the precise sentiment Conte wanted to convey. The 'punch line' says it all: "Love until there is no enemy."

Gay Versus Straight Composers by Eric Lane Barnes
SFGMC has performed many works by Seattle-based gay composer Eric Lane Barnes, but this is our first commissioned work by him. Eric (pictured with husband Paul on the right) is especially adept at writing satire and humor for the group he himself directs: Captain Smartypants (an ensemble of Seattle Men's Chorus). Gay Versus Straight Composers is hilarious. I sang it to the orchestra when rehearsing with them, and many of the players had tears rolling down their faces from laughing so hard. Lane Barnes satirizes famous classics such as Tchaikovsky's Piano Concert No. 1, Beethoven's Fifth Symphony, Copland's Appalachian Spring, Mozart's Eine kleine nacht Musik and others while "discussing" each composer's sexuality!

My Rising Up by Steve Schalchlin
Musical theater performer and composer, Steve Schalchlin (pictured) is a name many of you will recognize from his recent appearance at New Conservatory Theater in The Big Voice: God or Merman?, written by himself and partner Jim Brochu (Zero Mostel in Zero Hour). Steve is also renowned for his musical, The Last Session, about his personal struggle with AIDS, for which he received a GLAAD Media Award. Steve has written an amazing peace cantata called Pantheon Bar and Grill. "My Rising Up" is sneak preview of the entire work that will receive its full premiere at Davies at our 30th Anniversary Concert on December 1. Like NakedMan, Pantheon covers many aspects of our community, and also many styles of music. "My Rising Up" is an uplifting gospel-rock song; its inspired lyrics sum up SFGMC's rise from the decimation caused by AIDS and the many strides we've made for gay rights over the last 30 years.

Since we met last fall, Steve and I have become close friends, and he has asked me to write the choral and instrumental arrangements for the entire work. I plan to spend a few weeks on sabbatical this summer working on the music. Steve has been working on this amazing cantata for five years, and has been looking for the right vehicle to launch it. We are indeed honored that SFGMC will bring this wonderful music to life. If you are interested in sponsoring this project, please contact our office: info@sfgmc.org, ph: 415-865-3650.

AIDS QUILT ON DISPLAY
Honoring the Fifth Section - those members of the chorus who have passed away - SFGMC's segment of the AIDS quilt will be displayed in the lobby of the concert, and names will be updated from the original 30 or so.

I look forward to seeing you at Davies Symphony Hall on Friday, May 16 at 8 pm. If you don't have tickets yet, click here or call the box office: 415-865-2787.

BUMP AND GRIND CABARET - IN REVIEW
Not only were ticket sales up 7.5%, Bump and Grind was an artistic triumph. Since this is our 30th anniversary season, we decided to 'up the ante.' We expanded the band to 6 players (usually only 3 or 4); we moved to a wonderful new venue allowing for all patrons to be seated at tables; our guest artists were impeccable: Twilight Vixen Revue; we added "back up" singers for many of the solos; SFGMC's new Music Associate, Grace Renaud, served as Music Director, which allowed me to sit back and focus on quality control and the 'big picture,' and of course to enjoy watching the Twilight Vixens!

Here are a few of the comments received from patrons who enjoyed the show:

WOW! the building was beautiful, and so were all the performers. So happy to see Twilight Vixen Revue mixed in with the SF Gay Men's Chorus. Nice mix, my husband and I thoroughly enjoyed the entire performance. And kudos for having a full (cash) bar even though it was the 2pm matinee, it really added to the "caberet" atmosphere. Felt decadent drinking rum in the afternoon watching burlesque. Hurray!

The venue was amazing - beautiful and intimate. The best part of this show was the Twilight Vixen Revue. They were fabulous! Would love to see them again. The host [Jeff Sinclair] was funny too. I enjoyed the vocal talents of Sanford Smith the most... Overall, a very enjoyable show.

I had a great time last night as a volunteer usher....loved the setting, variety and the quality of the performances...and the Vixens were a terrific addition to the evening as well.....congratulations all--you've set a new standard for the cabaret!!

I went in as a skeptic --- burlesque has never really been my thing, even when I did productions of "Gypsy". I'm kinda more of a "Paris café society"-type guy than a "Prohibition honky-tonk"-type guy. But I was absolutely won over and blown away. This show was such a quantum leap forward in Cabaret Technology that the world of cabaret as we knew it is a thing of the past! Let me start with the venue. We simply could not have found a more perfect venue for the cabaret show. From the cachet of being whisked up to Lodge Level by an actual lift attendant, to the cheery fire surrounded by wing-back chairs, to the magnificent performance space itself, the whole place just dripped atmosphere and made for a wonderful experience before a note was sung. But, back to the cabaret show itself: wonderful, from start to finish. The professionalism up there was just at a level that had to be seen and heard to be believed. It was true: "even ze orchestra was bee-yooooo-tee-full". And Grace was simply the reincarnation of a speakeasy pianuh player: knew the material, knew the performers, knew the audience, right down to what they were drinkin' and how to time it all for applause. Both the instrumentalists and the backup singers were polished, professional, and a huge asset to the show. Too many great moments to list them all, but some that really stood out for me: Michael's, Sanford's, and Cecil's rendition of "At the Waldorf". Bob's version of "Flat Foot Floogey" (those backup singers really enjoyed this one, too :-) ). The finale. And.....well.......just many, many more. So congratulations, everyone involved in this show. A great show in a great venue, and I had a great time!

The total hit for [my partner] and I were the vixens!!! The venue was great - the atmosphere was awesome, Jeff did a great job - the backup singers were fun... [My partner] particularly enjoyed Sanford, Michael and Cecil - he wanted a reprise. You were right - our best cabaret ever.

Since some of you missed the cabaret, our concert in May will include a special reprise of one of the most popular numbers from Bump and Grind: "Lounging at the Waldorf."

That's all for now!

- Kathleen

MARCH, 2008

2008-03-11T18:06:00.000-07:00

DEAR FRIENDS,

Get ready for our raunchiest cabaret ever! Read on to learn more about this month's BUMP AND GRIND Cabaret at the fabulous Regency Center Lodge.

In this issue:

Bump & Grind Cabaret
Reviews from February's USS Metaphor
SFGMC SingOut Events coming soon
Reminder: GALA Choruses 25th Anniversary Project

BUMP AND GRIND CABARET

March 21 (Fri., 8pm); March 22 (Sat. 2 pm & 8 pm)

Regency Lodge Center, 1290 Sutter St. @ Van Ness Ave.

Grace Renaud, Music Director

SFGMC's cabarets, an annual subscription event since 2002, feature the chorus's finest soloists. This year, we break new ground in the 30th anniversary season with an adult-rated, edgy revamp. Some sexy and fresh changes are in store for patrons at a great new venue, and with special guests the Twilight Vixen Revue (pictured).

Grace Renaud, new on SFGMC's music staff, is Music Director for the production, which will include a 6-piece jazz band. Grace is also the Music Director of two of SFGMC's ensembles.

The Bump & Grind Cabaret's music creates the evocative speakeasy atmosphere of the 1930s, and our guest dancers add a saucy splash of lesbian-gangster-chic! The all-female burlesque troupe promise to be a pulse-raising complement to classic songs from such musicals as Porgy and Bess, Chicago, Dick Tracy, and Cabaret. Audiences will also enjoy some beloved jazz and blues standards. For a sneak preview of the lovely Vixens 'in action,' visit their promotional video.

There are three performances at the Regency Center Lodge, located on 1290 Sutter St. at Van Ness Ave. There is ample parking in the vicinity in garages, and limited street parking. While the two evening shows are "adult" rated, the matinee is suitable for the whole family. ALL seating is at intimate tables, and with three different prices ("uptown", "midtown" and "downtown"), there's something for everyone.

USS METAPHOR - IN REVIEW

Last month, on February 22 & 23, SFGMC, with the Community Women's Orchestra, performed USS Metaphor at Brava Theater Center to two full houses. Here are some of the great reviews we received:

Goldstar:

I was blown away [4 stars awarded]

Talkin Broadway:

I saw the SF Gay Men's Chorus and Community Women's Orchestra put on USS Metaphor - spoof of G&S HMS Pinafore at the Brava Theater. First, I've never been to this theater - what a nice facility. The show was great - it lasted 2 hours with intermission with a lot of changes to the lyrics and new storyline of two lads in love and one is engaged to Hillary type presidential candidate. Lots of laughs throughout. And the voices - wow, I haven't heard such good voices in local theater in a long time. And a 30 plus piece orchestra is wonderful for this score. And how can you tell the audience is mostly gay? They sat through the finale/exit music until the orchestra was done - only one person left during it - everyone else remained AND LISTENED - no talking. I think it ends tonight and highly reco

mmend it - best thing I've seen since... well... DrowsyC [The Drowsy Chaperone].

Twin Cities Gay Men's Chorus member, visiting from Minneapolis:

Wonderful performance last night! I really enjoyed the show and have already sent a note to the TCGMC that this is a must-see performance at GALA [GALA Choruses Festival in Miami, July 14, 2008].

Emmy Award-winning conductor, George Daugherty:

I wanted to let you know HOW VERY MUCH I enjoyed the performance last Saturday night! It was really wonderful. The "rethinking" of G&S was so incredibly clever, and your cast of principals was absolutely wonderful. I especially thought your Major General [i.e. Captain] was terrific - he could have really done that role (or the original) on any stage anywhere.

The lyrics were really really fantastic. So timely, and so perfectly satiric without being mean. A fine line to walk, and you did it fabulously - but still with bringing so much respect to the musical performance and with such an obvious knowledge of G&S traditions.

Your conducting was so wonderful, and I thought you mustered all your forces really beautifully. Your orchestra really follows you quite wonderfully. And there really were some stunning moments of quiet choral beauty that were quite breathtaking. You have them all very well trained ... It really was a delightful evening. You really should offer your version of this on rental out to choruses and companies everywhere -- I think people would love it.

Anyway, brava to you, bravi to your cast, orchestra, and chorus. And bravi to Messrs Gilbert and Sullivan - it's so wonderful to hear their music coming through loud and clear and delighting audiences. I think Sir Arthur and Sir William would have enjoyed your liberties with the lyrics, and would have greatly admired how much you and your entire company so joyously celebrated the very essence of that wonderful music.

When I think of that performance, I still get a smile on my face and feel quite joyful! Again, it was very special in so many ways, and you, the chorus, and your orchestra were just fantastic. I wish more "professional" concerts and productions I go to had as much joi de vivre and spirit. Truly!

SINGOUT EVENTS COMING SOON!

SFGMC has some important events coming up soon, which are open to the public:

Debra Kent Memorial Service

National AIDS Grove, Golden Gate Park

Sunday, March 30, 11 am

At this event, SFGMC will sing "Dona nobis pacem" as part of the worldwide "Song of Peace." Choirs from around the world, throughout March 2008, are singing songs of peace. For more information, visit www.songofpeace.org

The chorus will also sing "Seasons of Love" from Rent, newly arranged by Paul Saccone, which was requested by Debra.

37th Annual Gospel Academy Awards

Saturday, May 31, 6 pm

SFGMC members will once again don their red robes for this auspicious event. We'll open the program singing "Total Praise" by Richard Smallwood, who will be in attendance. Check back next month for more details.

GALA CHORUSES - HISTORY ARCHIVE PROJECT

GALA Choruses is celebrating its 25th anniversary and is collecting items for its history archive project. If you'd like to contribute, please contact Joel C. Davis, yoeli@nwlink.com, or read the instructions from last month's From the Podium.

FEBRUARY, 2008

2008-02-12T18:24:00.000-08:00

DEAR FRIENDS,

SFGMC's 30th Anniversary Season is gearing up to be one of our busiest seasons ever! Our January '08 class of newbies is stepping up very well as we prepare for exciting concerts in February, March, May, June, and July.

In this month's column:

USS Metaphor marks 15th anniversary of Don't Ask Don't Tell
Safe parking near Brava Theater - revealed!
SFGMC's first-ever DVD production
USS Metaphor 'sets sail' to Miami
Bump & Grind Cabaret - a sneak preview
GALA Choruses - history archive project

USS Metaphor, Feb. 22 & 23, Brava Theater Center

“The love that dare not speak its name” takes center-stage as San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus with the Community Women’s Orchestra present USS Metaphor: a tongue-in-cheek, hand-on-hip adaptation of the Gilbert & Sullivan classic, H.M.S. Pinafore.

Set to the original musical score composed by Sir Arthur Sullivan, USS Metaphor features some of the catchiest tunes ever written for the stage. I re-voiced the score for all-male chorus, and with SFGMC’s production team produced the sidesplitting libretto. Renowned composer and lyricist Eric Lane Barnes also contributed to the script.

W.S. Gilbert's original H.M.S. Pinafore libretto underwent some judicious modification, but it's amazing how much of the original stays intact! In the Metaphor version, the US Navy’s USS Metaphor is berthed in Boston Harbor (not Portsmouth, England); the sailor falls in love with the Captain’s son (not his daughter); Sir Joseph Porter's role is replaced by the Secretary of the Navy, Josephine Porter - a woman who wants to be President; and Buttercup, who knows the secrets that drive the plot, is Mister Buttercup and reveals a secret of his own!

The hilarious twists and turns of the plot - which take a savage swipe at Don’t Ask Don’t Tell and celebrate freedom to marry – make for a story with tremendous wit, satire and humor for seekers of entertainment and social comment alike.

USS Metaphor is a fully choreographed and costumed production. What better way to mark the 15th anniversary of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell than with a queer hornpipe? USS Metaphor continues the celebration of the chorus’ 30th anniversary season. The chorus was singing long before Don’t Ask Don’t Tell, and it will bring joy to audiences long after this heinous policy is a thing of the past.

Parking at Brava Theater Center

Back in October, we had our first-ever concert at Brava Theater. Patrons told me that they LOVE the venue, but some mentioned that they had trouble parking so here's the low-down. There is ample parking just a short walk (a few short blocks) from the theater at SF General Hospital's parking garage, located at 2501 23rd St. at Utah, just off Potrero. (Brava is on 24th St. @ York.) The fee is about $4 - $6 (depending on how long you're parked), CASH ONLY. There is also parking available on the grounds of the hospital. There is limited street parking in the area, too.

Our First DVD!

We're making a DVD of USS Metaphor - SFGMC's first-ever self-produced DVD. Chorus member Bud Dillon, who directed and produced the wonderful PBS documentary, Why We Sing, is also working on the SFGMC project. Ashley Moore, who has previously worked on many of our award-winning CDs (beginning with SFGMC Does Queen), is editing the audio. Already, many people have devoted hundreds of hours to the project. It's really going to be a must-have for your collection! Pre-orders are still available at a discount, so contact the SFGMC box office if you want to order your copies: boxoffice@sfgmc.org, ph: 415-865-2787. The DVD will be released in the spring.

USS Metaphor "sets sail" to Miami, July 12 - 19, 2008

In July, we're off to Miami for the quadrennial GALA Choruses Festival, joining 5000+ LGBT singers from around the world. The Community Women's Orchestra is coming with us - we'll be the only chorus in the history of the movement to travel with an orchestra. In addition to our official concert set (which will include some of the new commissions we're putting together for our concert in May), we'll present a special performance of USS Metaphor in its entirety, including costumes and choreography. If you'd like to travel with us to Miami, register today! You'll have the time of your life.

Bump & Grind Cabaret - Sneak Preview

Our 2008 cabaret is March 21 & 22 at the magnificent Regency Center Lodge at Sutter & Van Ness. There will be 64 tables for the audience, and we'll have a jazz band to accompany the chorus's finest solo voices. The theme of the program is the prohibition / gangster era of the 1930s. Songs include favorites from musicals Chicago, Dick Tracy, and Cabaret, as well as traditional jazz and blues.

Special guest are Twilight Vixen Revue, a popular and highly skilled lesbian burlesque dance troupe. Note that both of the evening performances are Adult-Rated... you'll have to come to the cabaret to find out why! For a sneak preview of the lovely Vixens, check out their promotional video.

GALA Choruses - History Archive Project

GALA Choruses is celebrating its 25th anniversary and is collecting items for its history archive project. Here are the details, if you have something you'd like to contribute:

From Joel C. Davis, yoeli@nwlink.com

"If you have GALA-related memorabilia you're willing to part with, please bring it [or arrange to have it delivered] to the Festival [in Miami, July 12 - 19, 2008]. At the EXPO site there will be a collection area where you may leave CLEARLY LABELED AND IDENTIFIED ITEMS (photos, recordings, publications) that you are willing to donate to the GALA History and Archive Project; some of these may eventually be included in a permanent archive and some may become part of future exhibits. Do not part with anything you want returned to you because that will not happen but PLEASE DO affix your name, e-mail address and phone number to any- and everything you donate. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions or suggestions."

DECEMBER, 2007

2007-11-09T10:46:00.000-08:00

DEAR FRIENDS,

It's alarming how quickly the holiday season is upon us already! SFGMC has already started singing carols; our first holiday appearance was at Bloomingdale's on October 25. Thanks to everyone who came, we raised more than $2600 to help get our members to Miami next July for the GALA Choruses Festival.

In this month's edition of From The Podium, I've provided details about our 18th Annual Home For the Holidays concerts (including our out-of-town appearances), as well as a review of our ensembles' recent We've Got Male! concert at Brava Theater.

SFGMC auditions for new members twice a year, so read on to learn more about our next auditions in January.

I also offer some fabulous gift-giving ideas, but first, here's a way to give yourself - or a talented friend - something very special:

FOUR COVETED "GUEST CONDUCTOR" OPPORTUNITIES

This year, four “Guest Conductor” spots are available at SFGMC’s web site (https://www.sfgmc.org/pub/support/conduct.asp) for tax deductible contributions of $1,000. Limited to four guest spots (one for each concert at the Castro Theatre), the “winners” will guest conduct the Chorus and audience sing-along of “Deck The Hall". They will each receive a souvenir baton and a video of their performance, with the option to be shown on YouTube! With four concerts, this guest conducting opportunity is an exclusive first-come, first-awarded opportunity.

18TH ANNUAL HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS

SFGMC will make the season 'bright and gay' in four performances of Home for the Holidays in San Francisco at the Castro Theatre:

Thu. Dec. 13 at 7 pm - in 2 Acts
Mon. Dec. 24 at 5 pm, 7 pm & 9 pm

...as well as three touring performances:

Modesto - Sat. Dec. 1, 7:30 pm
Santa Rosa - Sat. Dec. 8, 7:30 pm
Santa Cruz - Sat. Dec. 15, 7:30 pm

The on-tour performances are benefit concerts for three very special organizations. Since 2000, SFGMC has helped these organizations to raise fund to help hundreds of people in their communities.

In Modesto:

The concert on Dec. 1 benefits Stanislaus Community Assistance Project (SCAP). SCAP is dedicated to delivering comprehensive health and human service programs that improve the health and well-being of all underserved Stanislaus County residents. Their goal is to prevent the spread of STDs/HEP C/HIV/AIDS. This year, the founder of SCAP, Joseph, has joined SFGMC as an honorary member! He drives from Modesto to rehearsals each Monday night, and will perform with the Chorus in Modesto. SFGMC has been going to Modesto since 2000, and the event - which includes a Silent and Live Auction - raises up to $20,000 each year. For more information, ph: 209-572-2437

In Santa Rosa:

The concert on Dec. 8 benefits Face to Face / Sonoma County AIDS Network. They provide compassionate care to more than 500 people living with HIV and/or AIDS and their families, and prevention education to the entire Sonoma County community. The concert is preceded by a wine reception (of course!) hosted by La Crema Winery. For more information, visit: http://www.f2f.org/

In Santa Cruz:

This year's Santa Cruz concert, on Sat. Dec. 15, will celebrate the First Congregational Church's 10th anniversary as an Open and Affirming congregation. Funds raised from the concert will contribute to the church's GLBT Extravagant Welcome Endowment. The Endowment will ensure the continuity of special programs offered to GLBT adults, youth, families, clergy, and church goers in general. For more information, visit: http://www.fccsantacruz.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=116&Itemid=239

Music:

The Chorus’s annual Home for the Holidays concerts are renowned for being inclusive of many faiths; this year’s program includes the delightful “All-Purpose Carol,” paying tribute to Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Solstice, and Ramadan holidays.

The men will also sing a fun set of Santa songs for the entire family (including the grown ups!), with audience members getting a unique chance to ‘get their groove on’ in a conga line! The program also includes an always-thrilling Conduct-the-Chorus Auction (for the out-of-town appearances only), with the winner conducting “Deck the Hall.” Audience members are encouraged to bring jingle bells for the Chorus’s traditional sing-along.

As the first-ever openly gay chorus in the world, SF Gay Men’s Chorus has become known affectionately as the grandfather of the gay choral movement. Honoring this legacy, the program will include a variety of selections created by brother choruses from across North America. “Go Tell It” is an uplifting, contemporary gospel-style carol arranged by Seattle Men’s Chorus conductor, Dennis Coleman. A jazzy arrangement of “Santa Claus is Comin’ To Town,” was arranged by long-time Turtle Creek Chorale of Dallas accompanist, Anne Albritton, who passed away in October 2006. The sing-along carols were arranged by Neal Richardson from Gateway Men’s Chorus in St. Louis. Elizabeth Alexander’s “When Song of the Angel is Stilled,” arranged by Willi Zwodesky, conductor of Vancouver Men’s Chorus, includes text by Robert Thurman, who founded the USA’s first integrated church in San Francisco in the mid-1940s.

Composed around traditional Native American songs – and complete with flute and drums – Solstice, by Tim Sarsany from Columbus Gay Men's Chorus, is a concert centerpiece, featuring four short movements:

1. Friendship Dance
2. Song of the Spirit Dance
3. Medicine Wheel
4. Songs from the Ancient Lodge

Home for the Holidays also includes song contributions from within SF Gay Men’s Chorus itself, including Hanukkah music by Stephen Richards, father of SF Gay Men’s Chorus member Tazz, and Andrea Bocelli’s theme from the Turino Winter Olympics, beautifully arranged by Chorus member Matt Prather. The Gay Men’s Chorus will also reprise a get-out-of-your-seat, gospel-style version of the Hallelujah Chorus, which is featured on SFGMC’s award-winning holiday CD. The concert will conclude with the song “Home for the Holidays” arranged by SFGMC alumnus, Robert Seeley.

Drawing attention to the GLBT community in Eastern Europe – which still suffers today from homophobia – SF Gay Men’s Chorus will perform in Russian a movement from Sergei Rachmaninoff’s beloved Vespers.

HOLIDAY GIFT IDEAS
It's a good thing! Okay, so I'm not Martha Stewart, but here are some wonderful ideas from SFGMC:

SFGMC Season Tickets make great gifts; this historic 30th Anniversary Season is extended through December, 2008! There are two prices from which to choose: $150 for the 3 big concerts, plus $115 for 4 additional events.

Put away your Mormon Tabernacle Choir Christmas CD - we're re-pressing our sold-out, OUT Music Award winning CD, HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS! Buy one for yourself, or grab a bunch for stocking stuffers. Just $13.83 each.

Have family coming to visit for the holidays? Another great idea is concert tickets for the Holiday concert. Performances dates are Dec. 13 and Dec. 24 in San Francisco, Dec. 1 in Modesto, Dec. 8 in Santa Rosa, and Dec. 15 in Santa Cruz. Individual ticket prices range from $17 to $30.

Need a gift for someone who already has everything? How about making a donation to the chorus in their name. You'll both receive an acknowledgement in our concert programs throughout the 30th Anniversary Season, e.g. John Smith - in honor of my best friend, Harry Brown.

Another way to acknowledge a friend is as a sponsor SFGMC's first-ever DVD. We filmed our production of USS METAPHOR at Davies last spring, and the DVD will be released in February. DVD sponsors of $600 or higher will be listed in the DVD jacket notes and you may add a dedication if you wish. To sponsor the DVD, please contact the office, ph: 415-865-3650, info@sfgmc.org

AUDITIONS, NEW MEMBERS
SFGMC auditions for new members twice yearly, in January and August. Our next auditions will be held in January 2008, at 44 Page Street, San Francisco.

Open Rehearsal - 7:00 PM Monday, January 7
Audition Clinic - 7:00 PM Tuesday, January 8
New Member Auditions - from 7:00 PM Wednesday, January 9

To sign up, click on this link:

https://sfgmcdb.org/audition_registrations/new

WEV'E GOT MALE! - IN REVIEW

On October 20 and 21, SFGMC's ensembles, The Lollipop Guild (pictured right) directed by Paul Saccone, and Vocal Minority directed by Mike Steele, presented We've Got Male! at the Brava Theater. The program featured songs by "boy bands" ranging from The Turtles and The Beatles to Queen and *NSYNC. Joining them were special guest dancers from Man Dance Company of San Francisco.

This was SFGMC's first appearance at the lovely Brava Theater, which is located on 24th St. at York in the Mission District. Brava Theater seats 350 in stadium seating, so everyone has a great view of the stage. Although street parking can be challenging in the area, there is ample parking just 2 blocks away at SF General Hospital. SFGMC will be at Brava Theater again on Feb. 22 and 23, in an encore presentation of USS Metaphor with the Community Women's Orchestra.

For the first time, SFGMC sold tickets via Goldstar Events, which brought in around 200 new audience members. Here's what they said about the concert:

"We had a great time. Very fun and we laughed a lot. ...we enjoyed ourselves and we really loved the sing-along at the end."

"very entertaining... very enjoyable..."

"It was light-hearted and witty and fun. It made us laugh and there was great energy."

SEPTEMBER, 2007

2007-09-04T14:49:00.000-07:00

DEAR FRIENDS,

September marks the beginning of rehearsals for our 30th season. As the members of the chorus ready themselves for the season ahead, I find that it is also a time for reflection. In "From the Podium" this month I will share with you some of the thoughts I am experiencing at this important time in SFGMC's history, and also let you know about some exciting things coming up. I also review some of the chorus's summer activities. Even though we don't rehearse during the summer, it's remarkable how active the members are all year long.

30th SEASON - MAKING OUR DREAMS COME TRUE

On August 1st, I began my eighth year as Artistic Director of the San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus. What an amazing time it has been! And the year ahead is certainly going to be one to remember. SFGMC is the very first gay men's chorus in the world to celebrate its 30th Season. It is a time of reflection, with joy and nostalgia, and also a time of great hope as we dream of what our future will be. The performance season will begin with WE'VE GOT MALE! at Brava Theater Center, featuring SFGMC's ensembles on October 2o and 21. The program includes songs made famous by boy bands. Stay tuned for the October edition of Take Note for more details.

CATERED BY THE CHORUS - RESULTS!

Thank you to everyone who participated in this year's Catered By The Chorus fund raiser on August 11. The event raised $11,500. I had a great time co-hosting a dinner after-the-fact with Steve Valdez at his lovely home in the Castro. Celebrities Liam Mayclem (host of CBS5's Eye On the Bay) and the fabulous Connie Champagne were among the guests, and the meal was impeccibly prepared by SFGMC chorus member Peter Franzi. Peter has been in the chorus for more than twenty years, but we had no idea he had such remarkable culinary talents! We hope that next year's event will be even more successful, so start planning your dinner party now.

FAREWELL TO DICK KRAMER

On Saturday, August 25th, members of SFGMC and SFGMC's alumni association were joined by members of Oakland East Bay Gay Men's Chorus and Contra Costa Chorale to commemorate Dick Kramer's life. A capacity crowd at St. John's Episcopal Church in the Mission District sang and reminisced about a man who had a unique and lasting influence on many choral organizations. SFGMC alumnus Tim Agar presided over the service, and SFGMC was represented by SFGMC alumni Jay Davidson and Stephen Zendt. To read a review, visit: http://www.sfbaytimes.com/?sec=article&article_id=6789

Dick Kramer was brought in by SFGMC founder Jon Reed Sims to be the chorus's first appointed conductor. Dick told me that November 27, 1978, was the date of his first visit to a rehearsal, to "check out" the chorus. The date coincided with the assassinations of Harvey Milk and George Moscone, so instead of rehearsing, the chorus chose to march down to City Hall and sing Mendelssohn's "Thou, Lord, Our Refuge." Dick's first encounter with SFGMC was certainly a memorable one. He directed the chorus at its first official concert on December 20th at Everett Middle School, and also led the chorus on its renowned national tour in 1981.

FALL '07 NEWBIES

A brand new group of 21 chorus members were accepted at auditions held on Friday, August 31. Each time we bring a new group of men into the chorus, I am reminded why SFGMC exists. At the end of each audition, I ask each candidate to tell me why he wants to join the chorus. The most common answer is to find new friends and to be part of a community, while doing something worthwhile and giving back. One response this time really stuck in my head - a candidate said that we are all individuals with our own voice, but in the chorus we bring those voices together to find unity with one collective voice.

Welcome and congratulations to the "newbie" class of Fall, 2007:

Logan Alexander (returning)
Mark Alfaro
Ivan Amboy
Alan Bond
Jack Castillo
Clifford Coley
Doug Curran (returning)
Justin Donahue

Erik Green
Andrew Hochberg
David Jenkins
Scott Mills
Bernie Morrissey
Kevin Pattison
Joseph Peralta
Johnnie Pratt
Joseph Pritchard
Dan Richards
Marc Savitt
Doug Smith
Oky Sulistio

LOVE TO CLAP? JOIN THE NEW APPLAUSE SECTION!

SFGMC is launching a special interest group called the APPLAUSE SECTION. As a way of encouraging more women and their friends to enjoy SFGMC's concerts, the Applause Section will receive special group invitations to attend social events and activities (e.g. parties, dinners before concerts, barbecues etc.), as well as enjoying SFGMC concerts together.

A driving force behind the new Applause Section is board member, Dr. Betty L. Sullivan. "The Applause Section provides opportunities for audience members to get to know chorus members and the conductor, as well as others in the audience," say Sullivan - founder of the renowned Betty's List, who has been attending SFGMC concerts since the 1990s, and joined the board in 2004. "It's such a pleasure to watch a woman leading the men in excellent performances. We are building bridges that truly matter. We're so lucky to have this in San Francisco. The Applause Section exemplifies the important of our audiences, and sends a message of unity and hope that we are one as a community."

Since 2000, the number of women supporting the chorus and in the audience was only 10%. This number has increased significantly since then, and we look forward to the Applause Section helping to grow this number even further in order to be representative of our whole community.

For additional information about how to join the Applause Section, contact "Section Leader" Dr. Betty L. Sullivan: bettysnie@aol.com

DID YOU KNOW...

... that SFGMC has one of the largest volunteer groups participating each year at the street fairs (Up Your Alley, Folsom Street, Hairrison, and Castro) ? Volunteering raises thousands of dollars for SFGMC each year, as well as raising the visibility of the chorus in the community. Hundreds of volunteers are coordinated by SFGMC's Volunteer Manager Rachel Pokorny and also chorus member Kevin Jones, who serves as our Street Fair Coordinator.

JULY 2007

2007-07-18T16:59:00.001-07:00

DEAR FRIENDS,

SUMMER FUN - DINE WITH SFGMC MEMBERS -

AUDITIONS IN AUGUST FOR NEW MEMBERS!

Although we don't have concerts scheduled this summer, it is still a very busy time for all at SFGMC. Below you will find a summary of some of the activities we've been up to since the Pride Concert, and also an invitation to a very special event in August. Also, audition dates for new members are provided. Please spread the word to men who may be interested in auditioning. Season 30 promises to be one of the most exciting yet!

SATURDAY, AUGUST 11 is CATERED-BY-THE-CHORUS

You're invited to a VERY cool event - SFGMC's 2nd Annual CATERED-BY-THE-CHORUS. This is a wonderful opportunity to meet some of your favorite chorus members in the privacy of their own homes, and then gather with guests from all the dinners at the Dessert Soiree hosted by Donna Sachet, with live and silent auctions entertainment, no-host bar and (of course) dessert!

Two fabulous, local bakeries are donating desserts this year: Just Desserts and Sweet Inspiration Bakery.

The featured auction item is the Wall-of-Wine. Last year's wine collection of more than 100 bottles went for $2000 (valued at $3000)! It's a great way to start or supplement your cellar.

Entertainment will be provided by a combo from City Swing with Joyce Grant (pictured below), and the silent auction will be run by Pacific Auction Company. To read more about Joyce Grant and City Swing, CLICK HERE.

Tickets begin at $35 and include dinner followed by the Dessert Soiree.

Here are some of the dinners featured this year:

Celebrity/VIP Dinners ($100-$150)

Tuscan Treasures: An Evening in Italy with The Empress Donna Sachet at her Imperial Palace (Castro), with chef Joseph Lawrence Castrovinci and Sous-chef Albert Gordon Smith

A luncheon of sumptuous gaiety with TV's Jan Wahl, hosted by SFGMC Managing Director Teddy Witherington at the San Francisco Culinary Academy, prepared by chef Glenn Wielosinski

Dinner with Dr. Betty L. Sullivan of Betty's List at Tangerine Restaurant (Castro)

Dinner with SFGMC conductor Dr. Kathleen McGuire at the home of chorus member Steve Valdez (and possibly with a surprise celebrity from TV!)

Special Chorus Member Dinners ($35 - $100)

Dinner with French wines paired by a Certified Sommelier, hosted by Tom Burtch and Neil Austin
Fabulous dining at an historic mansion, hosted by Paul Olsen and Michael Tate
Elegant dinner with tour of art collection from around the world, hosted by Howard Steiermann
Wine pairings of Sonoma County hosted by Steve Gallagher and Jeffrey Van Dyk
Mediterranean dinner in the Oakland, hosted by Andrew Marsh
Seafood pasta prepared by Master Chef Tino Calenda, hosted by Bryn Rich
Triple birthday celebration in Alameda with poached salmon and ham - hosted by John Cashman, Kevin Koczela and Doug Brewster (aka "the birthday boys!")

For a complete list and detailed menus, visit: http://menucbtc.blogspot.com/

RSVP starting July 24:
Email Rachel: rpokorny@sfgmc.org
Ph: 415-865-3650

JULY IN REVIEW...

The first weekend of July, I went to Dallas, TX, and represented SFGMC at the Fond Farewell roast, brunch and concert honoring Dr. Timothy Seelig's twenty years as Artistic Director of the Turtle Creek Chorale. Tim is leaving TCC and will be succeeded by Jonathan Palant. We wish them both well.

July 13 was the date of a fabulous appreciation party for everyone who worked on Bud Dillon's wonderful documentary, Why We Sing, which aired on PBS nationally throughout June. If you missed it, you can buy your own copy on DVD at http://www.sfgmc.org/. We've received phone calls and emails from all over the country with nothing but the highest praise. A mother on the east coast emailed and asked if we could advise her as to how she might help her high-school-age, gay son, who is moving to a new city. This film has taken SFGMC and the GALA Choruses movement to far-reaching corners we could barely have imagined 30 years ago.

Congratulations to chorus members Kelly Shannon and Craig Van Spronsen who were married July 14. Kelly and Craig met in the chorus 5 years ago.

On July 15, a large number of chorus members participated in the AIDS Walk. SFGMC is proud to field one of the largest groups for this very worthy cause.

On July 27, SFGMC's Ambassadors will sing the National Anthem for the Giants game. This particular game is an annual fund raiser for Until There's a Cure.

Sunday, July 29 is Up Your Alley, and SFGMC's Street Fair Coordinator, Kevin Jones, has put together another stellar team of chorus volunteers. SFGMC receives thousands of dollars each year for its volunteer efforts.

SEASON 30 APPROACHES...

Some dates for your calendar:

Monday, August 27, 7 pm: first reheasal for Season 30, including Season Presentation and "open rehearsal" for new member candidates

Tuesday, August 28, 7 pm: New Member Audition Clinic (everything you need to know to prepare for your audition)

Friday, August 31: New Member Auditions

Please spread the word if you know men who are interested in auditioning. They should contact: auditions@sfgmc.org or call 415-865-3650.

Look for your Season 30 brochure in the mail and get your Season Tickets!

"From the Podium" author:

Dr. Kathleen McGuire
Artistic Director and Conductor
San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus
Copyright © 2007

_________________________________

JUNE, 2007

2007-06-12T09:13:00.001-07:00

DEAR FRIENDS,

It's time once more for our High Holy Days, and we have a FABULOUS concert lined up for the 29th Annual Pride Concert. We're in a new venue and have returned to a two-act format with two concerts (Thu. June 21 & Fri. June 22), allowing plenty of time for you to hear your FAVORITE chorus! We also expect a visit to our stage from a surprise celebrity!!!

In addition to our official media release, I've provided for you a summary of SFGMC's songs, along with some information about how I work with a Music Input Committee to select the music.

PLUS, I have some information about our pride float, and how YOU can be involved. If you've always longed to be in the parade, fret no more - you're invited to come join us!

IN REVIEW...

Earlier this month, members of the chorus performed with WomenSing in a benefit for Catherine's House. The two concerts on June 2 and 3 raised more than $7300 for this very worthy cause, and the concert participants had a wonderful experience in collaboration with one another.

SFGMC ON PBS!
I'm thrilled to report that the documentary film, Why We Sing - featuring SFGMC - is being shown this month around the country on PBS.

Produced and directed by SFGMC member Bud Dillon, it will be aired in San Francisco on Thursday, June 28 at 8 pm, and you can also buy your own copy of the DVD. Check local schedules to find out when it will be aired on PBS in your area.

Happy Pride, everyone!

CLICK HERE TO READ THE MEDIA RELEASE

PRIDE CONCERT - SFGMC'S MUSIC SELECTIONS

Caravan of Love
By Erine Isley, Chris Jasper and Marvin Isley
Arranged by Kathleen McGuire for Pride Concert 2007 after the Housemartins version
Stephen Camarota, solo

The Isley Brothers had a hit with this song in the United States in the mid-1980s, and a subsequent version by an independent a cappella group from England, the Housemartins, made the song famous in Europe and Australia in 1987. Its simple message – to stand up and be proud in the name of love – stands true twenty years later in the context of our Pride Concert. Soloist Stephen Camarota is fairly new to the chorus and this is his first solo with us!

Adiemus from Songs of Sanctuary
By Karl Jenkins
While the music is conceived in the European tradition, the vocal sounds – which are invented words – are akin to those in ethnic or world music. According to the composer, “the sound is universal, as is the language of music.” You'll recognize this new-age piece as it was used on a Delta Airlines commercial. Written for women's chorus, the men sing the song "at pitch" using falsetto. It's a wonderful effect, which will sound incredible in the beautiful acoustic at First Unitarian.

Music In My Singing
Words by Robert Malbin, music by Ysaye M. Barnwell
Commissioned by the Twin Cities Gay Men’s Chorus in 1998 and dedicated to all those who refuse to remain silent.

Best known for her many years as a performer and composer with the women’s a cappella group, Sweet Honey in the Rock, Ysaye M. Barnwell suggested this song to SFGMC for tonight’s performance. The primary musical idea is set to the text: "There is more music in me singing than crimes against our souls."

The most challenging piece on our program, the chorus divides into six (instead of four) parts. It begins and ends with an ethereal chant (opening with soloist Frank Federico), while the body of the piece is typical of African form with driving sycopation, rhythmic ostinati, vocal imitation of drums, and improvisatory passages over a steady harmonic underlay. If you enjoyed "Would You Harbour Me?" two years ago, you'll love this piece!

Accidentally in Love from Shrek 2 the motion picture
By Adam F. Duritz, arranged by Alan Scott - Artistic Director, Caballeros, the Gay Men’s Chorus of Palm Springs.

In the Shrek movies, characters find themselves falling in love in some of the most unexpected circumstances – something that many of us in the LGBT can appreciate! You're invited to sing along in this one :-)

Make Them Hear You from Ragtime the musical
Lyrics by Lynn Ahrens. Music by Stephen Flaherty. Arranged by Jeff Funk.

In Ragtime, a man stands up for his beliefs knowing that doing so will endanger his life. In his battle against racism, he and a growing group of allies teach the community a powerful lesson. Each year we commemorate Pride, we remember the actions of individuals at the Stonewall riots of June, 1969, who also exhibited bravery in support of human dignity.

COMBINED SONGS:

SFGMC will join with the Lesbian/Gay Chorus, Lesbian/Gay Freedom Band, GLAM Youth Choir and VOICES Lesbian Choral Ensemble in two powerful anthems:

Proud from Queer as Folk the television program
By Heather Small and Peter Vettese
Arranged by David Monseur - Artistic Director, Columbus Gay Men’s Chorus
Solo: Cheri Toney

With a soloist from guest group, VOICES Lesbian Choral Ensemble, you'll recognize Proud instantly! You may be interested to learn that Heather Small - who lives in the UK - contacted the organizers of the Gay Games last year and offered to fly out to Chicago to perform the song. They of course agreed, and the performance was amazing.

Here’s Where I Stand from Camp the motion picture
Words by Lynn Ahrens, music by Michael Gore, arranged by Neal Richardson (Gateway Men's Chorus, St. Louis)
Soloists: Wendy Tobias (Thursday); Bryn Rich (Friday)

The title song of this year's pride concert, this is a rousing gospel-style piece guaranteed to inspire and uplift your spirits. The lyrics say it all:

Here's where I stand,
Here's who I am,
Love me, but don't tell me who I'm supposed to be.

HOW WE SELECT THE MUSIC - MUSIC INPUT COMMITTEE

SFGMC has had a Production Committee for many years, and its role is primarily to organize the logistics of our performances. It meets twice each month, and committee members include professionals from outside the organization such as lighting, audio and recording engineers. It became apparent to me that we needed an additional committee to concentrate on the very important task of music selection. With such a large chorus, the myriad suggestions received from members was far more than I could manage on my own. That is how I came upon the idea of setting up the Music Input Committee (MIC).

The MIC consists of SFGMC's Section Leaders (eight men take on this role - two per vocal part), plus a few other individuals with specific knowledge or qualifications. Other members of the chorus periodically provide to their Section Leaders ideas they may have, including sheet music or recordings. Over a period of months - sometimes years - I gather a collection of songs from a variety of sources, including conferences and colleagues. The conductors of all of the GALA Choruses have an email list which is a wonderful resource, and we also meet once or twice annually to share our ideas.

When the time comes to narrow down the list, the MIC gets together. We sing through music, we listen to recordings, and gradually a primary set develops. As the Artistic Director, I get the final say in what music we sing, but the input I receive from committee and the chorus members who contribute is an invaluable part of the selection process.

Members of our audience are always welcome to contribute their ideas, too. If you have an idea for a song or even a concert theme, please contact our office and they will forward it to the MIC. Oh, and you should realize that we generally plan a few years in advance in regards to our themes, so it may take a while to get to yours!

PRIDE FLOAT 2007 - Absolutely Fabulous!

This year, in honor of GALA Choruses' 25th anniversary, we have invited members of fourteen other Northern California choruses to join us in the parade on Sunday, June 24.

A team is designing the float, led by SFGMC member and visual artist John Sims (not to be confused with founded, Jon Sims, who passed away in 1984).

Volunteers are needed to help with the construction and set up, so contact if the SFGMC office if you want to help.

WANT TO MARCH IN THE PARADE WITH SFGMC?

If you'd like to march in the parade, you're welcome to join us! Wear a black t-shirt or, if you have one, an official SFGMC gold-foil t-shirt. If you want to buy an offical t-shirt, there are medium and large sizes available for only $15 from Tony at our Box Office, ph: 415-865-2787, 1800 Market St. at the SF LGBT Community Center, next to the Three Dollar Bill Cafe.

For the parade itself, we'll provide you with a lyric sheet so you can sing along with CD selections. Contact our administrative office to learn where and what time we'll set off, Ph: 415-865-3650. Our contingent in 2006 (pictured) won an Absolutely Fabulous award, and we hope to win again this year!

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MAY, 2007

2007-05-19T06:47:00.000-07:00

DEAR CHORUS FRIENDS,
"From the Podium" this month includes information about SFGMC's upcoming collaboration with the incomparable WomenSing. Don't miss these special concerts on June 2 and 3 in San Francisco and Berkeley, benefiting Catherine's House - an AIDS retreat center. Also, learn what the chorus is doing in June for Pride Month, and make sure to put the ANNUAL PRIDE CONCERT on your calendar now - Thu. June 21, 8 pm and Fri. June 22, 8 pm, at the First Unitarian Universalist Church (Franklin @ Geary). "In Review" features SFGMC's recent highlights.

SPECIAL COLLABORATION WITH
WomenSing

A few years ago, members of SFGMC joined forces with WomenSing in a special performance of Gabriel Fauré's Requiem. The concert was a such a success, we decided to collaborate again in a pair of benefit concerts. WomenSing is a women's chorus based in the East Bay, conducted by Martin Benvenuto. Their board of directors includes two members of SFGMC, and members of WomenSing are regular attendees of SFGMC concerts.

Our 2007 collaboration features selections from gay, British composer Sir Michael Tippett's A Child Of Our Time. Tippett composed the oratorio in reaction to World War II, and traditional spirituals (e.g. Deep River, By and By, Nobody Knows) are used as central points through the piece. Incidentally, I met Tippett in the mid-1980s when he visited the University of Melbourne (I was an undergrad completing a B.Mus. in composition). He was a fascinating and somewhat eccentric man who impressed me with his bravado and the courage of his convictions.

Our 2007 concerts will benefit Catherine's House, a retreat and respite center for AIDS patients and their care-givers.

Saturday, June 2, 2007, at 7:30 pm
St. Dominic's Catholic Church
2390 Bush Street
San Francisco, CA 94115
www.stdominics.org

For tickets to Saturday, June 2 performance:

www.sfgmc.org, 415.865.2787

Sunday, June 3, 2007, at 4 pm
First Congregational Church of Berkeley
2345 Channing Way
Berkeley, CA 94704
www.fccb.org

For tickets to Sunday, June 3 performance:
www.womensing.org, 925.974.9169

Ticket prices
$20 General in advance
$25 at the door

$15 Senior/Student

$10 Youth (18 and under)

About A Child Of Our Time

In the late 1920s and early 1930s, when approaching maturity as a composer, Michael Tippett was also becoming aware of the social injustices caused by the Depression. For a period he went to work with unemployed miners in the North of England. For some years afterwards, he also conducted an orchestra of made up of theatre and cinema musicians thrown out of work with the arrival of 'talkies' (i.e. films with soundtracks). Tippett sensed, too, the likely consequences of the rise of Nazism in Central Europe and of Stalinism in Russia. His first instincts were to become politically involved. He took part in Labour party rallies and, briefly, joined the Communist party, leaving after he failed to convert his party branch to Trotskyism.

Gradually, he came to feel that he must at some stage express his solidarity with the deprived and the downtrodden through his work as a composer. At first he considered writing an opera based on the 1916 Easter Rebellion in Ireland. This had potential for Easter symbolism - an avowal of hope for a new springtime. Soon, though, he realised that the work gestating inside him was one of contemplation, obviating the need for stage action.

In 1938, the shooting of a German diplomat in Paris by a young Polish Jew, made desperate by the Nazi persecution of his race in general and his family in particular, led to one of the most terrible pogroms of Jews - the infamous Kristallnacht of 9 November. Tippett shared in the public horror which this aroused, feeling inwardly also that he must respond with a composition which, as it turned out, was to be his first major public statement as an artist.

Having become acquainted with the poet T. S. Eliot, he asked him if he would write the libretto. Eliot agreed to consider the project on condition that Tippett prepared a scenario for him, showing the shape and character of each movement and sketching in his own ideas about the text. This the composer did, taking as his model the Bach Passions and Handel's Messiah. He thus laid out the basis for a three-part oratorio, using standard baroque methods, such as recitative for narration, and arias and ensembles culminating in spirituals. The spirituals were the best twentieth-century counterpart he could find to the Lutheran chorales of Bach's time, embodying texts and music of an inherently universal significance. Eliot studied the scenario in detail but then advised Tippett to write the text himself, as any words from Eliot would probably overwhelm the music. Tippett accepted his advice and, ever after, wrote his own libretti.

Tippett took his title for the work from a novel by the anti-Nazi writer, Odon von Horvath, Ein Kind unserer Zeit (1938). He began writing A Child of Our Time on the day war broke out - September 1939 - and completed it two years later. Its first performance was in 1944, conducted by Walter Goehr at Aldephi Theatre, London. Since then it has become a part of the worldwide choral repertory.

AND ALSO...
WomenSing will also perform Ron Jeffers' powerful Indian Singing based on poetry by Gail Tremblay rooted in the Native American experience, a piece they will compete with at the International Music Festival in Cantonigros, Spain this coming summer.

SFGMC will also present a sneak preview of songs from its forthcoming Pride Concert. SFGMC ensemble del Castro, under new director Skip Myers, will also present a set including the well-known Besame Mucho.

CONCERT BENEFICIARY: CATHERINE'S HOUSE

TRIP TO CATHERINE'S HOUSE DECEMBER 12, 2006

By Mike Craven and Patty Murray

In December, a small group of WomenSing board members visited Catherine's House, the beneficiary of the June collaborative concert. Ellen Marshall drove Patty Murray, Patti Sax, Lynda Leonard and Mike Craven to the remote location in the township of Sheep Ranch in the Sierra foothills. It was a three-hour trip from Orinda; the last miles on partially paved and rough gravel roads. We were glad to have Ellen's four wheel drive vehicle and back road experience!

Catherine's House is on an 80-acre tract of land. There is a picturesque pond and meadow set amidst ponderosa pine, and red foothill soil. An ambitious vegetable garden, chickens and an apple orchard supply the farm with fresh foods. Solar panels supply electricity and a deep well provides water for the property. Chris and Joan Montesano gave us an informative tour. They were among the far-sighted original settlers in 1976 who cleared the land, built the houses and gave heart to the Catholic Workers Movement mission of hospitality. Marilyn Richter the new fundraiser for Catherine's house joined us. They furnished a hearty and substantial meal, lively company and conversation.

While we were only at the farm for three hours, the meal, the beauty of the surroundings and the generous hospitality of the staff offered a powerful example of Catherine's House mission to offer respite and centering to the those with HIV and their caregivers. They offer 4-day retreats to individuals referred to them by service organizations in Oakland and San Francisco.

We asked questions of the Catherine's House crew and spoke frankly of WomenSing's fundraising capabilities, the history of our benefit concerts, and our additional goal to introduce Catherine's House and its mission to a broader audience. Because of the generous underwriting of our concert, we will be able to give all the ticket proceeds to Catherine's House.

Catherine's House is a modest but comfortable home that sleeps a dozen guests. They host up to 300 guests during the year, with the bulk of their retreats occurring during the fair weather months. The typical retreat is unstructured so guests can enjoy nature and heal spiritually.

While the organization is humble and efficiently run, they do face capital challenges: All of the electricity at Catherine's House is generated by solar panels, which charge an array of batteries. The batteries are now several decades old and need to be replaced. Dropping aquifers in the Sierras required a deeper well for the farm: This new well requires a propane pump and significantly adds to the cost of water. They are working towards acquiring a solar-based pump that would have a seven-year payback.

Catherine's House receives most of its funding through small donations. Additional funds come from the candle making at the ranch. Some of their wildflower candles will be on display and for sale at our June concerts.

JUNE IS PRIDE MONTH!

June is one of SFGMC's busiest months, with many organizations needing a voice for their Pride activities. Most of you are already aware of the Annual Pride Concert, but I thought I'd share with you some of the other activities we do during June. Here is a summary of some of the special appearances already on our calendar for June and the summer:

· Sunday, May 27, 1 pm - HRC store Pride launch, 19th & Castro
· Thursday, June 7, evening - KQED event honoring LGBT heroes
· Saturday, June 9, evening - Best of the Season concert, Lincoln Theater, Yountville, benefiting Napa Solano Health Project
· Sunday, June 10, 11 am - First Unitarian Universalist Church service
· Friday, June 15, 6:30 pm - Rainbow Flag Raising Ceremony, SF City Hall
· Saturday, June 16, 6:30 pm - The Lollipop Guild, Jed Davies and Merle Adams' 50th anniversary celebration
· Thurday, June 21, 8 pm - 29th Annual Pride Concert, First Unitarian Universalist Church
· Friday, June 22, 8 pm - 29th Annual Pride Concert
· Saturday, June 23, afternoon - SFGMC ensembles, Main Stage, Pride
· Sunday, June 24, Pride Parade
· Friday, July 27, evening - National Anthem at Giants game (Until There's a Cure Day)

In Review...

DIVAS' REVENGE II

On Monday, April 30, SFGMC presented Divas' Revenge II at Davies Symphony Hall. The concert was very well received, especially in regards to the chorus's new adaptation of Gilbert and Sullivan's HMS Pinafore - aka USS Metaphor. To read a concert review published in the SF Bay Times, go to: http://www.sfbaytimes.com/?sec=article&article_id=6373

SFGMC will perform USS Metaphor again on June 9 in Yountville. There are plans to take the show "on the road" to northern California next year, and also to Miami for the GALA Choruses Festival. The concert on April 30 was filmed and will be available as a DVD.

THE LOLLIPOP GUILD at EQUALITY FORUM

On Friday, May 4, SFGMC's longest-running ensemble, The Lollipop Guild (founded 1979 and now led by Paul Saccone), represented the chorus at the Equality Forum in Philadelphia. The concert, which also included Anna Crusis and members of the New York City Gay Men's Chorus, paid tribute to the 25th anniversary of the Gay and Lesbian Association of Choruses.

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