and I am telling you... I'm not going...

[thoreau]

Tonight I went to see the 30th Anniversary concert of the San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus. It was a splendid evening - and it was a full chorus with orchestra. The first act was a full commission of individual stories (including a blog entry from http://www.joemygod.blogspot.com/) - a song cycle about war and peace entitled "New World Waking: Songs on the Road to Piece". For a large volunteer chorus their intonation was quiet amazing - and they had it all memorized; no books. I found the selections quite uneven - and I think the work will definitely make the rounds of gay choruses. The 2nd act presented the chorus with the two subgroups separated out (always an unsettling presentation as far as I'm concerned) - with Vocal Minority on one side and The Lollipop Guild on the other. The holiday selections were unfortunately the same old style of holiday songs - one for Hanukkah, one for Kwanza and a singalong. I've been away from the gay choral movement for a decade and it was like listening to the same concert.

As a singer I always dreaded Christmas concerts - because there are only so many arrangements - and the veteran singers have that "I've sung this arrangement so many times - I am going to go crazy" look on their faces. The soloists were great - but well - Jennifer Holiday was on the program; and she's a hard act to follow.

She came out and gave a short speech about when she was in Dreamgirls as AIDS hit NY and Broadway very hard. and how over the years - the song "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going..." has come to represent the creative men and women AIDS claimed in her life. and an anthem to those of living with the disease every day - who can bravelyl say "I am Telling you I'm not Going.." it was a very beautiful speech - then of course - she sang the living hell out of that song. Mr. Levy got Michael and I tickets in 4th row - so we were right there. She's simply amazing......

They did the singalong - and Michael I laughed our way through "the most FABulous time of the year"

then we saw Mr. Levy dressed as a nun for HALLELUJAH CHORUS..... and after that? what else can I say!?

So many of us are blessed by what the San Francisco Chorus started 30 years ago in the shadow of the assassination of Harvey Milk. Every major city in north america and even the world has a gay chorus that followed in their footsteps. What a beautiful thing!

Comments

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

I saw Jennifer in the original production of "Dreamgirls", then heard her perform her anthem at Seattle Pride a few years ago. She never lets the audience down with her powerful rendition. I've attended Christmas concerts for many of the Gay choruses ... Seattle, Turtle Creek and Houston did fine jobs; the only negative was SF's Xmas concert a few years back. It was so badly stage-managed, the orchestra out of tune; the humorous pieces dragged on and on and flat out weren't funny. I know they've had a couple of directors, since I took friends with me as a Christmas present, to that particular concert. It would take a lot to get me back. I expect fine singing for the price of my ticket.

However, don't mistake my bitching for a lack of appreciation for the history ... It is a "beautiful thing" that the chorus inspired similar groups around the country.

HUGS!

[low-fat-muffin.livejournal.com]

musicianship in SFGMC is a reason I've been weary of auditioning. Tim Seelig (formerly the conductor of Turtle Creek) is taking the helm for spring quarter - and that is an experience I'd be willing to audition to experience.

[pagerbear.livejournal.com]

People often ask me why I don't join the NYCGMC. In large part it's because the show-choir aspect of it doesn't appeal to me as a performer, but also because I've been to some of their concerts that were just painful. I've heard they've improved a lot under a new director, and I'm going to hear them next week, so I'll report about their progress.

[low-fat-muffin.livejournal.com]

I also am weary of rehearsing as much as they do for a single show. One of the things I love about theater - is getting a role - and "working it" over dozens of shows - is finding something new to do with it each night I'm on stage - to finesse it to where it's an extension of who I am. That isn't possible when you are one of 250 guys singing.

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

Now, that's exciting news!!!! Tim is a friend and it's nice to know that he'll be working his musical magic in SF! YAY!

[audrabaudra.livejournal.com]

This is off-subject a bit as far as gay men's choruses go, but on-point with music -- and tourism

We're lucky in the Canterbury District to have the Christchurch Cathedral Boys Choir:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zYqSr-Oe_hA

That clip doesn't quite do it justice. It's one of only two professional men's and boys' choirs in the Southern Hemisphere. "Together the choir sings more than 800 pieces of music a year in a repertoire ranging from 16th Century to contemporary works, with an extensive library of more than 1500 anthems and service settings."

Ross and I go to the Xmas concert every December, where these young men are a highlight. One word: incredible. A soloist from the boys' choir sang "Frohlich soll mein Herze springen" auf Deutsch last year, and I was so mesmerized, so carried aloft, I nearly tipped forward out of my seat.

[volunqueer.livejournal.com]

You are correct...and I'm fortunate enough to have sung with the Gay Mens Chorus of Washington, and now with the Atlanta Gay Mens Chorus.

But I confess, ain't nobody like the Mother Chorus.

[bruinwi.livejournal.com]

I can't kick too much about intonation, or memorizing music, as Perfect Harmony is a non-auditon chorus. As a result, the range of talent within the group varies widely, from those who can't read music, to those who are semi-pro. That said, I'm proud of our little group, and we have shown amazing artistic and musical growth over the years.

Our concert will feature some old standards ("The Christmas Song" aka "Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire...") and some Hannuka songs, but also some new pieces ("The Snow", "Not In Our Town"), which I think will impress some people.

Will the concerts be perfect? I know better than to think so; the quality of my own voice is in question. We simply do the best that we can, and our audiences not only accept that, but those who have been with us long-term have witnessed the growth I mentioned earlier.

[low-fat-muffin.livejournal.com]

I think that is part of SFGMC's problem - is they don't seem to evolve or grow. They are (i think) taking the steps neccesary to push the group in a new direction. SFGMC is an audition group - but their current director has let the musical bar slide a bit in her tenure. I hate going to see big choirs sing choral big note music. Particularly - when as Neil pointed out - when some seats in the hall are going for $100 a piece.

[bruinwi.livejournal.com]

$100/seat??? WHOA!

Granted, we've never had a headliner like Ms.Holiday (I first saw her, fresh out of high school, as a featured singer on Broadway in "Your Arm's Too Short to Box With God"), we think we're pushing our luck charging $15.

[low-fat-muffin.livejournal.com]

the shows are at Davies Symphony Hall - and tickets start at $20 and go up to $100 for box seats.

[kenwoodville.livejournal.com]

Jennifer Holiday is going to be performing with the Seattle Men's Chorus for several nights next week too!

[shirtlifterbear.livejournal.com]

I have box seats for this Sunday's show with Miss H!

(Doing the Snoopy Dance, is [Bad username or site: shirtlifterbear!) @ livejournal.com]