PGMC - PORTLAND GAY MEN’S CHORUS
Per PGMC-Portland Gay Men’s Chorus website: History - Portland Gay Men's Chorus (pdxgmc.org)
Founded in April 1980, with first concert held on June 19 of the same year at the Metropolitan Community Church in Portland, Oregon
Fourth oldest gay-identified chorus in the country; sang at the West Coast Chorale festival and the Gay Games in San Francisco (1982)
Has commissioned and performed over 80 new works of music over the past 37 years, including:
Millennium Mosaic (2000) taken from the lived experiences of LGBT youth, this amazing collaboration poignantly expresses the hope, joy, and (most of all) the sense of aloneness experienced in the loves of these youth
BraveSouls & Dreamers (2007) examines the consequences of war and the need for peace. In September 2011, PGMC traveled to New York City to represent the State of Oregon with a Brave Souls performance at St. John the Divine Cathedral commemorating the tenth anniversary of the attack on the World Trade Center
A Brighter Day (2015) written in celebration of PGMC’s 35th anniversary this piece celebrates the lived experiences of the over 1400 men and women who have been a part of our legacy
A Night Mooring Over Maple Bridge (2018) written to commemorate PGMC’s upcoming tour to China.
First LGBT chorus invited to sing at an inaugural event of a major elected official: Secretary of State (later Governor) Barbara Roberts (1984)
Performed in national and international venues, including Vancouver BC, Montreal, Miami, Denver, New York City, Philadelphia, San Francisco, and Washington DC
Produced eight (8) professional recordings including our most recent:
Sing & Swing the Season – (2011)
The Young Person’s Guide to the Gay Men’s Chorus – (2012)
Awarded the Urban Pioneer Award by the College of Urban and Public Affairs for our outreach performances to rural communities throughout Oregon and the Pacific Northwest. Other recognitions include the “Lucille Hart Service Award” and a “Special Recognition Award” from the City of Portland Human Rights Commission, to highlight just a few.
Performed at the 2016 TEDxPortland Conference in the Keller Auditorium in Portland
Over 1450 men and women, past and present, have been members of the Portland Gay Men’s Chorus since its inception and contributed of their time and talents
First Gay Chorus invited to sing the National Anthem at the NBA Portland Trailblazer game (November, 15, 2016)
First Western LGBTQ Chorus to tour and perform in the People’s Republic of China (August, 2018)
Welcomed PGMC’s newest Artistic Director, Dr. Braeden Ayres (July, 2022)
OTHER SOURCES
In 1980, Mark Richards, Mark Jones, and Gary Coleman formed the Portland Gay Men’s Chorus. Its first concert is at Pride. Steve Fulmer is the music director from 1982 to 1983. https://www.pdxmonthly.com/arts-and-culture/2015/05/40-years-of-portland-pride-june-2015
October 1980 The Portland’s Gay Men’s Chorus opens its first season with a concert at the Metropolitan Community Church. During its fourth season, the chorus performs at Secretary of State Barbara Roberts’ inauguration.
1985 Per Pat Young’s Sept 11, 2000 draft for GLAPNtimeline June Portland Mayor Bud Clark proclaims June 28 as Portland Gay Men’s Chorus Day.
1984 1 December Per Pat Young’s Sept 11, 2000 draft for GLAPNtimeline In July, Jim Schelot becomes the first member of the Portland Gay Men’s Chorus to die from AIDS-related diseases. “When Jim died, it suddenly became real for the chorus,” says member Scott Eckleman to Just Out in a later interview. “It was no longer something happening elsewhere or on the news. It was happening right here, and it was happening to us.” By 1991, AIDS would claim the lives of 25 members of the chorus.
Pamela Moro, Associate Professor of Anthropology at Willamette University wrote a paper entitled, “Our Voice Win Freedom”: Meaningful Music-Making In Gay and Lesbian Choruses January 12, 2005
Also check out the Oregon Encyclopedia website: The Portland Gay Men's Chorus
