PORTLAND — The Portland Gay Men’s Chorus (PGMC) announced today that John Atorino, former assistant conductor of the New York City Gay Men’s Chorus, will lead PGMC as its newest Artistic Director.
Atorino is a professional conductor, choral arranger, and music teacher from Brooklyn, New York. He most recently served as the assistant conductor for the New York City Gay Men’s Chorus and conductor for the New York University Mixed A Cappella Choir. While at NYCGMC, John created and implemented the chorus’s school outreach program where members of the chorus visit schools in NYC and sing for them about acceptance, LGBTQ visibility, and the power of community singing. Prior to his work as a conductor and arranger, John taught middle and high school choir, strings, and music composition for over ten years in Chelsea, Michigan; Chicago, Illinois; Ridgewood, New Jersey; and Queens, New York.
John has conducted choirs at Carnegie Hall, The Apollo Theater, the United Nations, HBO’s Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, ABC’s Good Morning America, the Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, as well as a nationally televised commercial for Vh1’s RuPaul’s Drag Race. John earned his Bachelor’s of Music from the University of Michigan where he studied with Dr. Jerry Blackstone and Dr. Eugene Rogers. He received his Master’s of Music degree from New York University where he also served as the conductor of the NYU Men’s Glee Club. Atorino, who describes singing together as a “radical act,” will take the helm as the chorus begins rehearsals for their 40th anniversary concert, Reflections, a retrospective that will include some of the biggest musical moments of PGMC’s history beginning with their 40th season and working backwards to their very first concert in the spring of 1980. The concert will be on Saturday, March 21 at 8:00 pm and Sunday, March 22 at 3:00 pm in Kaul Auditorium at Reed College. Tickets are available online at www.pdxgmc.org or by calling the box office at 503-226-2588.
Atorino assumes the baton from Interim Artistic Director, Mary McCarty, and former longtime Artistic Director, Bob Mensel, who served the chorus for more than 26 years. The national search lasted seven months and involved more than 18 qualified candidates from across the country. After a grueling audition process, the board and chorus were in agreement and Atorino accepted the position of Artistic Director. “We are thrilled to have John become part of the PGMC family,” said Richard Jung, PGMC’s Executive Director.
PGMC is the fourth-oldest gay-identified chorus in the country with a history of musical activism that spans four decades over two centuries. PGMC’s open and affirming message has resonated with new generations and new identities as the chorus now includes straight allies, multigenerational members, and all shades of the gender spectrum; approximately one quarter of the chorus is now made up of women, non-binary, and gender fluid members. Atorino’s arrival marks a time of significant transformation for the chorus as the PGMC continues to honor and uplift the LGBTQ+ community and affirm the worth of all people the best way they know how, through song.
“I am absolutely humbled and honored to join the long legacy of the Portland Gay Men’s Chorus as Artistic Director,” said Atornio. “For 40 years, PGMC has built a vital musical community that supports and celebrates LGBTQ people and their allies in Oregon and beyond. I very much look forward to working with the members of the chorus to further our impact as musical activists. Our work will not be done until we live in a world where no one is offended by our radical act of singing together. Will you join us?”
For singers interested in joining PGMC, the open rehearsal for Reflections will be Monday, January 6 from 6:30-9:30pm at the Westminster Presbyterian Church, 1624 NE Hancock St, Portland, OR 97212. Auditions will be scheduled Saturday, Jan 11 at various times throughout the day. For more information and to register for auditions, visit https://www.pdxgmc.org/about/sing-with-us or call 503-226-2588.
