Seattle Men's Chorus

Summary

Seattle Men's Chorus (SMC) is an LGBTQ community chorus based in Seattle, Washington. The group was founded in 1979,[1][2] and today is, along with Seattle Women's Chorus, the largest community choral organization in North America.[3][4][5] SMC is a member of GALA Choruses[6] and Chorus America.[7]

Seattle Men's Chorus
Also known asSMC
OriginSeattle, Washington, U.S.
GenresBroadway, choral, classical, jazz, popular
Instrument(s)275 voices
Years active1979-present
MembersArtistic Director
Paul Caldwell
Executive Director
Craig Coogan
WebsiteOfficial website

SMC has been led by conductor and artistic director, Paul Caldwell, since 2016.[8][9]

History edit

The first rehearsal was held in September 1979.[10] In the spring of 1980, the first official SMC concert was held at the Museum of History and Industry.[10]

Dennis Coleman became SMC’s conductor in May 1981.[10][11]

SMC became a founding member of the GALA Choruses when it was incorporated in July 1983.[10]

On the 25th anniversary of Stonewall, the SMC marched in the New York City Pride Parade and sang with the New York City Chorus at Carnegie Hall.[12]

Performances edit

SMC performs several regularly scheduled concerts each year, regularly hosting celebrity guests such as Kristin Chenoweth, Tituss Burgess, Leslie Jordan, Kelli O'Hara, Betty Buckley and Debbie Reynolds, to name but a few.[13][14][15][16]

For director Coleman's last program, the SMC performed "Legacy". Legacy contained two original compositions that honored gay figures: I Am Harvey Milk, written by Andrew Lippa about San Francisco politician and activist Harvey Milk, and the Tyler Suite about Rutgers student Tyler Clementi.[12]

In June 2023, Disney partnered with SMC for Disney PRIDE in Concert at the historic Paramount Theatre.[17]

Discography edit

  • Bustin' Out All Over
  • Captured Live!!
  • Fruit of the Month Club
  • Holiday Traditions
  • Home
  • Joy
  • Over The Rainbow! 2000
  • The Pink Album
  • Silver Bells
  • Snowbound!
  • Soul Full
  • Swellegant Elegance
  • UnderCover
  • We Are Family

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ "Seattle Men's Chorus and Seattle Women's Chorus | Encore Arts Seattle". encoreartsseattle.com. Retrieved 2017-08-16.
  2. ^ "Learn".
  3. ^ "Seattle Men's Chorus and Seattle Women's Chorus | Encore Arts Seattle". encoreartsseattle.com. Retrieved 2017-08-16.
  4. ^ "For retiring artistic director, the Seattle Men's Chorus heralded much more than music". The Seattle Times. 2016-06-09. Retrieved 2017-08-16.
  5. ^ Moy, Wendy K. (2021-11-04), "Come together", Together in Music, Oxford University Press, pp. 77–82, doi:10.1093/oso/9780198860761.003.0010, ISBN 978-0-19-886076-1, retrieved 2023-10-09
  6. ^ "Seattle Men's Chorus". Gala Choruses. 2012-02-26. Retrieved 2017-08-16.
  7. ^ "Chorus America". www.chorusamerica.org. Retrieved 2016-04-09.
  8. ^ "Choruses' warm embrace helps new director heal, body and soul, after a hit-and-run". The Seattle Times. 2016-12-09. Retrieved 2017-08-16.
  9. ^ "Local choral figure on career, Seattle job and brutal accident - Gay Lesbian Bi Trans News Archive - Windy City Times". Windy City Times. 14 June 2016. Retrieved 2017-08-16.
  10. ^ a b c d "History – Seattle Choruses". Retrieved 2023-10-08.
  11. ^ Ronco, Ed (2016-06-24). "35 Years Of Music, LGBT History For Retiring Seattle Chorus Director". KNKX Public Radio. Retrieved 2023-10-09.
  12. ^ a b Sommerfeld, Seth (2015-03-16). "Seattle Men's Chorus's Dennis Coleman: A Fiendish Conversation | Seattle Concerts". Seattle Met. Retrieved 2023-10-09.
  13. ^ "Guest Archives". Flying House Productions. Retrieved 23 July 2012.
  14. ^ "'Kimmy Schmidt' star Tituss Burgess to drop in with Seattle Men's Chorus". The Seattle Times. 2015-11-24. Retrieved 2016-04-09.
  15. ^ "Kristin Chenoweth: 'GCB' is 'not trying to be Shakespeare'". The Seattle Times. 2012-05-06. Retrieved 2016-04-09.
  16. ^ "SGN Page 21 - Debbie Reynolds sings with Seattle Men's Chorus - Friday, February 13, 2009 - Volume 37 Issue 07". www.sgn.org. Retrieved 2016-04-09.
  17. ^ Kazori, Niku (2023-06-22). "Seattle Men's Chorus partners with Disney for Pride concert at the Paramount". KIRO 7 News Seattle. Retrieved 2023-10-08.

External links edit

  • Official Website Seattle Men's Chorus
  • Stephen R. Blair Papers. 1919-1996. 1 cubic foot (2 boxes).