193:, Massachusetts. The group currently has over 300 members and has been directed by Conductor Reuben Reynolds for over 20 years. The group is heard by over 10,000 audience members per season and has performed across the globe. The chorus performs songs from a wide variety of genres and song selections have been described as "hopeful and optimistic". The chorus has had over 1,600 members during its history and has performed at
312:. During the tour, the chorus performed a new composition by Joshua Shank titled "Peace." This piece addressed LGBT equality more directly than most of the other pieces in the chorus's repertoire. Chorus member, Kilian Melloy, reported that the group's reception in the Middle East was widely positive, although the permit for the gay pride parade in Istanbul was revoked and the event was cancelled.
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The Boston Gay Men's Chorus performed with the Mzansi Gay Choir, which formed in 2015 and is one of the newest gay men's choruses. The joint concert served as a benefit for the
Kliptown Youth Program. This performance was part of a larger tour of South Africa during which the Boston Gay Men's Chorus
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The chorus was awarded the
Massachusetts Nonprofit Network's 2016 Excellence Award in Communications, an award that annually recognizes a nonprofit which successfully uses communication strategies to advance its mission. The group was honored as a result of their 2015 tour of the Middle East which
217:
Week in the same year. In
December 1982, the group performed their first annual holiday concert which attracted over 900 audience members. The group claims to have originally assembled for "aesthetic rather than political purposes," as was described by former Director Lee Ridgeway in an interview.
250:
which took place in Boston during Pride Week. This marks the chorus's first time singing at a political gathering. Music
Director Reuben M. Reynolds III commented, “coming at the end of Boston Pride Week, this also sets a wonderful example for mayors from around the country of what it means for a
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This concert was the first time a gay men's chorus had been invited by a
Catholic institution to perform. However, this milestone was achieved by accident, the organizing professor was not aware this was the case when he arranged the concert, he simply wanted the students in his "Music and Gay
542:
During their tour of the Middle East, the BGMC was forced to find a new venue for their performance in
Istanbul after the original venue backed out of its agreement to host as a result of public outcry. The chorus was able to find an alternative venue at
344:'s Massachusetts hometown and highlighted the debate over gay marriage that was taking place at the time. The concert received a standing ovation and demonstrated the generational difference in opinion that existed surrounding gay marriage.
29:
701:
Dyer, Richard (1991-03-08). "A Concert is Never just a
Concert for the Boston Gay Men's Chorus. Yes, it's a Chance to make Music. it's also a Way to make a Statement about being Gay and Proud".
575:
published an editorial piece in which it referred to the chorus as a "traveling sodomy circus." These protests came shortly after
Vermont Governor Howard Dean signed a gay rights bill into law.
513:"showcased the organization as an agent of social change and demonstrated that music performed by an openly gay male choral group can move audiences to a deeper understanding of LGBT people."
567:. About forty protestors assembled outside of the North Congregational Church, one of ten churches who sponsored the performance as part of the AIDS Community Awareness Project. In addition,
229:
gay men's choruses. The chorus was under the direction of
Conductor Robert Barney and had approximately 100 members. For this performance, the chorus commissioned Composer
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for
Equality Fund Grant, a $ 10,000 award which the organization plans to use to adapt "A Peacock Among Pigeons," an LGBT themed children's book, into a stage production.
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571:, a southern Vermont paper published an editorial piece and two advertisements denouncing the performance. During the same tour, a New Hampshire paper,
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When performing in Poland in 2005, the chorus was forced to seek additional security as a result of protests surrounding their performance.
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On June 11, 2018, 125 members of the Boston Gay Men’s Chorus flew to Johannesburg, South Africa to kick off BGMC's South Africa Tour (2018)
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The Chorus has produced eleven recordings; all of which are available at Amazon, iTunes, and other online outlets for digital download.
213:
The Boston Gay Men's Chorus was founded in 1982 and began with between 50 and 60 members. Their first performance was part of Boston's
547:. The following day, the Istanbul pride parade was cancelled and chorus members who planned to march were turned away by riot police.
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On June 22, 2005, 120 members of the Boston Gay Men’s Chorus flew to Berlin, Germany to kick off BGMC's first European Tour (2005)
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On June 18, 2015, 113 members of the Boston Gay Men’s Chorus flew to Ein Gedi, Israel to kick off BGMC's Middle East Tour (2015)
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The BGMC performed with the Belmont High School Chorus in the first performance of its kind. The concert took place in Governor
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In 1992, over 10 years after the chorus's founding, they experienced their first confrontation from protestors in
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are located in the Northeastern University Libraries, Archives and Special Collections Department, Boston, MA.
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This was the first time a gay men's chorus has performed at the inauguration of any republican Governor.
660:"Boston Gay Men's Chorus ED talks up 'one of our most unique musical experiences to date' - Bay Windows"
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Belkin, Douglas (2004-05-06). "Building a Sense of Harmony, Acceptance of Gays Grows Among Students".
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raised money for causes such as HIV/AIDS awareness and support of LGBT youth and asylum seekers.
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The Boston Gay Men's Chorus was the first chorus to tour the Middle East with performances in
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Razzle Dazzle: The Broadway Hits of Kander & Ebb, 2003; nominee, ‘04 Outmusic Award
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As part of their tour of South Africa, the Boston Gay Men's Chorus participated in
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Dyer, Richard (1992-05-08). "A first for Boston Gay Men's Chorus: protesters ".
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Ellen Oak, Guest Conductor (February–March 2008 & September–December 1998)
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Madonna, Zoe. "Boston Gay Men's Chorus carries hopeful tune to South Africa".
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Gloria!, 2001; winner, 2002 Outmusic Award, “Outstanding New Recording-Chorus”
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First performance of a gay chorus with a high school chorus, Belmont, MA, 2004
221:
In March 1992, the chorus celebrated its tenth anniversary with a concert at
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Wallgren, Christine (2006-03-23). "Gay Chorus Brings Message Back to Area".
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page. There are over 350+ videos available with 1.5 million views annually.
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Wallgren, Christine (2006-03-23). "Chorus Brings Message Back to Area".
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President of the Board of Directors, Bay State Performing Arts, Inc.
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815:"Boston Gay Men's Chorus Sings Its Stories Through The Middle East"
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Recordings are now captured through video and are published BGMC's
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BGMC and Mzansi Gay Choir, Johannesburg South Africa, June 15, 2018
771:"Warm welcome for US gay choir at George's first gay pride parade"
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The Rainbow Times | New England's Largest LGBTQ Newspaper | Boston
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791:"Gay Men's Chorus at Holy Cross a 'revolutionary' achievement"
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Governor Charlie Baker's First Inaugural Ball, January 8, 2015
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Reuben M. Reynolds, III , Music Director (1997 - Present)
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Rights" class to see a performance by a gay men's chorus.
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Best of the BGMC Live, 2004; nominee, 2005 Outmusic Award
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745:"BGMC Performing With South Africa's Mzansi Gay Choir"
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First gay chorus to tour the Middle East, summer 2015
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McCabe, Bruce (1983-12-16). "Emerging Gay Culture".
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458:Here to Stay: The Music of George Gershwin, 2005
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268:George's first gay pride parade, Winter 2018
365:Josef Bevins , Music Director (1982 - 1982)
359:Robert Barney, Music Director (1985 - 1997)
324:First gay chorus to perform in Poland, 2005
242:U.S. Conference of Mayors, June 8–11, 2018
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362:Lee Ridgway, Music Director (1982 - 1985)
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251:city to be truly inclusive of its
248:United States Conference of Mayors
155:American Sign Language Interpreter
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54:Valentines Day 1982 (February 14)
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348:Music Directors and Conductors
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233:'s "Down an Amherst Path."
22:Boston Gay Men's Chorus
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452:In Need of Music, 2009
237:Performance highlights
133:Reuben M. Reynolds III
36:Background information
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225:with the Denver and
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919:"Fact Sheet"
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894:"Fact Sheet"
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113:Years active
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391:Lea DeLaria
383:Nell Carter
342:Mitt Romney
203:Jordan Hall
95:Men’s Choir
1038:Categories
978:2020-09-23
953:2018-09-20
929:2020-09-23
904:2020-09-23
879:2020-09-23
825:2018-09-20
800:2018-09-20
776:2018-09-20
755:2018-09-20
730:2018-09-20
669:2018-09-20
622:2018-09-20
579:References
441:Recordings
395:Linda Eder
375:Nick Adams
101:Instrument
91:Occupation
470:Eos, 2000
449:Joy, 2010
302:Jerusalem
215:Gay Pride
73:classical
533:Backlash
310:Istanbul
306:Tel Aviv
298:Ein Gedi
77:Broadway
968:"Tours"
612:"About"
485:YouTube
209:History
174:Website
126:Members
81:popular
491:Awards
330:Poland
308:, and
274:George
201:, and
191:Boston
106:voices
85:choral
69:Genres
59:Origin
874:Issuu
104:300+
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508:2016
496:2017
253:LGBT
185:The
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51:Born
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