New York City Gay Men's Chorus

New York City Gay Men's Chorus is one of the oldest and largest LGBT organizations in the world, founded in 1979 by Jerry Carlson and a group of gay men, including Charles Bebe and William D. Moore, who were inspired by the San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus. The chorus has been a major part of the LGBT rights movement in the United States, performing at events such as the Stonewall 25 rally and the March on Washington for Lesbian, Gay and Bi Equal Rights and Liberation. With over 250 singing members, the chorus has performed with renowned artists like Stephen Sondheim, Cyndi Lauper, and Kristin Chenoweth at venues such as Carnegie Hall and Radio City Music Hall.

● History

The chorus was founded in 1979, during a time of great social change and activism in the LGBT community, with the help of Gay Men's Health Crisis and The Trevor Project. The first performance took place on December 2, 1979, at the School of Visual Arts in Manhattan, featuring a repertoire that included works by Leonard Bernstein and Aaron Copland. Over the years, the chorus has been led by several artistic directors, including Gary Miller, Charles Bebe, and Dr. Timothy Seelig, who have helped shape the chorus's sound and style, which has been influenced by classical music, jazz, and pop music, with performances at Lincoln Center and Brooklyn Academy of Music. The chorus has also been a part of the Gay and Lesbian Association of Choruses (GALA), an organization that supports and promotes LGBT choruses across the United States and Canada, including the San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus and the Los Angeles Gay Men's Chorus.

● Music and Repertoire

The chorus's repertoire is diverse and eclectic, featuring a range of styles and genres, from classical music to pop music and musical theater, with works by Stephen Sondheim, Leonard Bernstein, and John Cage. The chorus has performed with renowned artists such as Renée Fleming, Audra McDonald, and Brian Stokes Mitchell at venues like Metropolitan Opera and New York City Opera. The chorus has also commissioned and premiered new works by composers such as Jennifer Higdon and David Del Tredici, with performances at Carnegie Hall and Alice Tully Hall. In addition, the chorus has released several albums, including "Live at Carnegie Hall" and "Harmony", which feature a range of repertoire, from classical music to pop music, with collaborations with artists like k.d. lang and Dar Williams.

● Performances and Tours

The chorus has performed at numerous venues and events throughout its history, including Carnegie Hall, Radio City Music Hall, and the Stonewall Inn, with performances at Pride parades and LGBT events across the United States, such as the March on Washington for Lesbian, Gay and Bi Equal Rights and Liberation and the Stonewall 25 rally. The chorus has also toured internationally, performing in Canada, Europe, and Asia, with collaborations with choirs like the Toronto Gay Men's Chorus and the London Gay Men's Chorus. In addition, the chorus has performed at benefit concerts for organizations such as Amnesty International, Human Rights Campaign, and The Trevor Project, with performances at Madison Square Garden and Beacon Theatre.

● Community Outreach and Activism

The chorus is committed to community outreach and activism, with a focus on LGBT rights and social justice, working with organizations like GLAAD, PFLAG, and The Ali Forney Center. The chorus has performed at numerous benefit concerts and events, including the AIDS Walk New York and the New York City Pride March, with collaborations with artists like Lady Gaga and Cyndi Lauper. The chorus also offers music education programs and workshops for youth and adults, with partnerships with organizations like New York City Department of Education and The LGBT Community Center. In addition, the chorus has been a part of the It Gets Better Project, a campaign to support LGBT youth and promote acceptance and inclusion, with collaborations with organizations like The Trevor Project and GLSEN.

● Notable Events and Collaborations

The chorus has been a part of numerous notable events and collaborations throughout its history, including performances at the Tony Awards and the Emmy Awards, with collaborations with artists like Neil Patrick Harris and Hugh Jackman. The chorus has also performed with renowned orchestras such as the New York Philharmonic and the Boston Pops Orchestra, with conductors like Leonard Bernstein and John Williams. In addition, the chorus has been featured in several documentaries and films, including "Gay Men's Chorus" and "The Singing Revolution", with appearances on television shows like The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon and Good Morning America, with collaborations with organizations like PBS and NPR. The chorus has also received several awards and honors, including the National Medal of Arts and the Lambda Literary Award, with recognition from organizations like The White House and The Kennedy Center.