Our Mission & History

Chicago Gay Men’s Chorus is an inclusive, community-based performing arts organization that creates musical experiences to entertain and enlighten, inspire change, and build community. Through colorful performances that blend traditional choral music with musical theater, jazz and pop, and a gay aesthetic, we seek to delight our audiences, enrich our members and explore issues relevant to LGBT people and their allies—enlivening Chicago’s cultural landscape and creating a better community for all.

We Entertain and Enlighten

CGMC delivers a unique entertainment experience found nowhere else in the city. We produce professional-quality shows that combine the best elements of musical theater, cabaret and traditional choral performance. But only CGMC can add that special “twist of gaiety” that can make each show fun, moving and memorable.

We Inspire Change

CGMC serves as ambassadors and provides a positive image to countless thousands every year. Sometimes the message to take action can be delivered more effectively through song than through speech. 

We Build Community

CGMC is a safe haven from discrimination and judgment. And as part of a larger community, when asked to help, CGMC heeds the call. We’ve sung at the Auditorium Theater honoring the victims of Sept. 11. We sing at smaller memorial services honoring local community leaders… and sometime our own members. We’re humbled to realize that CGMC’s presence can bring comfort and healing to those around us. Whether you join us as a singer, a donor or an audience member, the Chicago Gay Men’s Chorus cordially invites you to become part of our family.

We Believe

• Unique performances celebrate the diversity and talents of ourselves and our community
• Individual and group creativity is fostered through fun and entertaining musical theater
• Human dignity in all of its forms deserves an environment of mutual respect, fair and ethical treatment, and a sense of community that is inclusive of all its members
• Our songs and our stories change lives for the better

The Chicago Gay Men’s Chorus (CGMC) has been an integral part of Chicago’s cultural and gay communities since 1983. For the last three decades, we have entertained audiences across the continent with innovative musical programming exploring everything from love to politics to the sometimes fabulous, sometimes challenging world of being gay-often all at the same time. Our always-memorable performances have included original musical revues; five popular productions celebrating the Sidetrack show tune experience; full-length book musicals including The Wizard of Oz, The Mikado, H.M.S. Pinafore and our original work – Ten Commandments – The Musical; traditional choral concerts and intimate cabaret presentations-all punctuated with our signature joyous irreverence.

CGMC has traveled extensively across North America, representing Chicago in cities including Montreal, New York, Denver, Miami, Los Angeles and New Orleans. We have also brought entertainment back home, hosting choruses from across the United States and Europe to sing with us here in Chicago.

Most recently, CGMC proudly sang “America the Beautiful” for the Illinois Marriage Equality Act bill-signing ceremony and was the featured guest choral performer for the star-studded concert, Broadway Rocks, with the Grant Park Music Festival in 2011. Chicago Gay Men’s Chorus was inducted into the Chicago Gay and Lesbian Hall of Fame in 2001 and currently has four cd-recordings available: Cool Yule, featuring jazzy holiday selections; I Will Be Loved Tonight, a collection of our favorite love (and not-so-in-love) songs; Favorite Things, our second celebration of holiday music; and So Happy Together: Festival Gems, featuring all live performances from our appearances at the last three quadrennial GALA Festivals. CGMC has performed the National Anthem multiple times at world-famous Wrigley Field and for the WNBA Chicago Sky.

Learn about our past productions by clicking here.

Read Jon Putnam’s 2012 Windy City Times article on CGMC’s history.

Check out our Wikipedia Page for a full listing of all of our shows.