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
Instrument275 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

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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

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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

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  • 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

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References

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  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.
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