Pioneer Valley Gay Men’s Chorus

Members of PVGMC following a 2009 performance

FAQ/History

PVGMC has on its own built similar bridges through our own concerts around  the region, through shared billing with other community choruses (including the renowned Young At Heart Chorus), and through special engagements for a assortment of churches and other faith and community groups.

Over the years, the Chorus has evolved in response to a variety of circumstances and musical directors. Fluctuations in the economy often have an inordinately large impact on arts organizations, and PVGMC was not immune from these pressures. Nonetheless, the Chorus continues to generate more than enough enthusiasm to maintain an artistic and social presence in the Pioneer Valley.

Recently PVGMC has grown in both its membership and musical accomplishment. All who are interested in participating are invited to attend a rehearsal to experience the infectious camaraderie and musical spirit.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ):

Do I need to read music to join the Chorus?

While prior musical experience is an asset, it is by no means a requirement for Chorus membership. PVGMC rehearses each week so that all members not only become familiar with our repertoire, but also cultivate the shared spirit of choral music.

When are you performing next?

Watch our Calendar Page for updates of our performance schedule.

Do you only accept gay men into chorus membership?

Like many other community choruses, PVGMC serves an artistic, social, and even consciousness-raising purpose. Yet in spite of our name, we have also had members who have identified as bisexual, transgendered, and even (cough) straight.

Why a gay men’s chorus instead of a mixed gay & lesbian chorus?

The human voice can be a wonderful instrument, regardless of the gender of the person who is producing the sound.

Nonetheless, men’s voices and women’s voices are quite distinct from one another. And just as there are places within music for performances by string quartets and brass ensembles separate from the full symphony orchestra, there is a long and glorious tradition among composers and singers for gender/voice-specific singing groups.

We gladly support through our concert attendance the full range of choral ensembles around New England. Plus, in addition to singing with PVGMC, several of our members also enjoy active participation in local mixed choral groups.

Email: info@pvgmc.org

 

Rehearsals occur each Wednesday, late August thru May, at:

 

St. John’s Episcopal Church

48 Elm Street
Northampton, MA

To contact us:

gay men making music, making friends, and making a difference in western massachusetts

HISTORY:

PVGMC was born amid a flowering of gay choruses around the country. The seeds for this growth were set in 1981, when the San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus conducted a national tour. In that era when GLBTQ folks were still marginalized, SFGMC proved the bridge-building power of music by wowing mixed gay-and-straight audiences across the US.