Our History
In 1983, the Chicago Gay Men's Chorus (CGMC) was organized in
response to an invitation to participate in the first gay and
lesbian music festival called COAST (Come Out and Sing Together).
This event was staged at New York's Lincoln Center and the fifty-five
singers of CGMC, representing the city of Chicago, opened the
festival. A new musical organization known as GALA (Gay
and Lesbian Association of Choruses) resulted from this original
gathering. Today, more than 200 choruses throughout the
world are GALA members, and CGMC still proudly represents Chicago.
Returning from that initial performance in New York City, CGMC
quickly found its place as an integral and respected member of
Chicago's gay and lesbian community. Over the years, CGMC
has established a reputation as a pop chorus capable of celebrating
both the ridiculous and serious elements of the gay community.
CGMC constantly strives to be a positive force in Chicago by providing
not just a social outlet for its members but, more importantly,
enabling its members to give the greater Chicago community high-quality
musical and theatrical experiences.
| |
 |
| |
Holiday 1999 - "Ho Ho Ho!" |
CGMC's performance season always includes the annual Holiday,
Spring and Pride concerts. The music
performed in these concerts will range from classical to
pop to modern music.
For a change of pace, the Spring concert often consists of a full-scale
theatrical production presented in CGMC's "tongue-in-cheek"
style. Past Spring Concert productions have included The
Pirates of Penzance, The Wizard of Oz, The Mikado,
HMS Pinafore and Sidetrack:
The Musical Revue plus various sequels.
Other performances by CGMC have included numerous appearances
for fund-raising or community representation purposes. In
past years, CGMC has appeared at benefits such as "Show of
Concern" as presented by Marshall Field's and "Not Just
Song and Dance" as presented by the AIDS foundation of Chicago.
CGMC also has performed at various receptions hosted by the Mayor
of Chicago, AIDS Walk Chicago, International Mr.
Leather and the
Chicago Gay and Lesbian Pride Parade and Rally.
As noted above, CGMC is a member of GALA and has performed at
each festival sponsored by GALA since the organization was founded.
Other CGMC out-of-town appearances have occurred in Portland,
Los Angeles, New Orleans, Detroit, Fort Lauderdale, Tampa and
Milwaukee. CGMC also has hosted the Chicago appearances
of choruses from some of those same cities as well as from Amsterdam.
CGMC is dedicated to contributing a positive image of the gay
community to the Chicago metropolitan community at large.
Although the majority of CGMC's members are gay men, the Chorus
welcomes all persons to the group regardless of sex, race, creed
or sexual orientation. |
|
 |
Photo Gallery
CGMC Staff
Board of Directors
Committees
Become a Member!
GALA Choruses
Contact Us |
