PRIDE GUIDE 1998 GAY PEOPLE'S CHRONICLE

B-23

Chorus marks its tenth year with a triple-bill concert

by Bart Brooks

Cleveland-Hard to believe it, but this year marks the tenth anniversary of the North Coast Men's Chorus, Cleveland's gay men's chorus.

From its humble beginnings, the chorus has grown into a first-rate musical organization that has commissioned new music, performed at international festivals, and pro-

cember, music director Tim Robson announced he would be leaving the chorus to pursue other personal and professional goals.

With Robson's departure, says current chorus president Don Ferencz, the leadership of the chorus thought it time to reevaluate itself as a musical group.

For one thing, Ferencz commented, the chorus has not looked at its mission statement for some time. After considerable disDOREEN CUDNIK

cussion with the chorus membership during several meetings, some central ideas have emerged: The chorus exists to affirm the gay experience. It seeks to do this through creating a supportive environment for its members, through presenting entertaining, quality performances for diverse audiences, and through maintaining a positive presence in the community.

The chorus wants to assure its audience that it is committed to performing quality music. However, the chorus also intends to be responsive to the kinds of things its audience likes. The chorus will strive to make concerts fun events, full of good music, with something for everyone.

The Coastliners, North Coast's a cappella group, performed at Tower City on World AIDS Day December 1.

duced elaborate concerts. However, as is often the case with anniversaries ending in zero, this year has been spent reflecting on the past and, planning on how to move the chorus forward into the future.

At the end of the holiday concert in De-

When the North Coast Men's Chorus was first forming years ago, no one, probably, had a sense of what would happen. Today, however, the chorus finds itself in a much larger context of gay and lesbian singing

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groups, under the umbrella of the Gay and Lesbian Association of Choruses. That organization is comprised of well over a hundred choruses of various sizes, musical abilities, and musical and political leanings. North Coast has also felt a growing awareness of its role in the gay community and as a group of performers.

The North Coast Men's Chorus continues its search for a replacement for Robson, and plans to have someone in place by the beginning of next season. Currently, Rich Cole, a member of both the chorus and its Coastliners a capella group, is functioning as acting music director.

But anniversaries are for more than just reflection, they should be times of celebra-

tion. The chorus will celebrate with a very special Pride concert on June 6, at Waetjen Auditorium at Cleveland State University. The chorus will be joined by both Good Company and Windsong for a triple-billed concert entitled "It's My Party." It will be a rare opportunity to hear the voices of Cleveland's lesbian, gay male, and gay supportive choruses joining together in song and celebration. Following the concert, the combined choruses will host a birthday reception. Join them with your support and well wishes for the next ten years.

Bart Brooks is marketing director for the North Coast Men's Chorus. Chorus member Roger Durbin also contributed to this article.

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