Reflecting on a Momentous Season!
Dear Friends,
On Saturday evening, June 22nd, PGMC’s 39th Season came to a resounding end. What a season it was!
Last September began with the chorus winding its way across the People’s Republic of China on a celebrated tour that reunited us with the Beijing Queer Chorus and saw us making new friends with PFLAG China and the Hyperbolic Singers of Shanghai. This was a truly amazing tour that left us emotionally drained, but so very proud of this singular chorus accomplishment.
Then, it was on to The Most Wonderful Season at the Newmark with a near sellout for what has become a Portland “must see” holiday concert, and our most well-attended and beloved concert of the year. Add a return “Star Spangled” engagement with the Portland Trailblazers on NBA Pride Night and our first outreach concert at The Grotto, well that equates to a whole lot of successes!
On to Spring and Our Audacity to Hope! PGMC’s spring “mission” show is an opportunity to explore the unique challenges that face society today. This concert wove amazing songs, poignant personal stories, and compelling visual imagery that left audiences empowered and hopeful. With our amazing guest chorus, “Acchord,” how could this evening be anything other than audacious? We even had the opportunity to take this message of hope for a return engagement to Grants Pass, where we once again performed to a sold-out audience and which included youth from “Hearts With A Mission” (the organization that two years prior had refused to accept a donation from this event). We even had protestors, it was all good!
On the other side of this was the announcement that this would be the final season, after 26 years, under the baton of our esteemed director Bob Mensel. Change was coming.
Then, our annual Pride Show. Bob created “Stonewall Riot! Soundtrack to a Revolution,” an engaging mix of music from 1969 (mostly) and a storyline using video and stunning visuals; it was a monumental performance celebrating Stonewall, one of the most significant moments in LGBTQ organizing history, and the performance was both educational and entertaining. Add to that the musical contributions of our guest artists, PLC, Bridging Voices, and Confluence – it became an evening to remember. If that wasn’t enough – there was a tribute to Darcelle (who lip-synched to none other than the fabulous Susannah Mars) – and that was masterful. With Cascade and Locomotions , and the amazing costume choices of the 120+ members of the chorus – well you have a concert that was nothing short of legendary. It will definitely go down in the PGMC annals as one of the best concerts ever! This is definitely a crowning achievement in a list of crowning achievements for Bob.
This was also the last time that Bob will raise his baton as the Artistic Director of the Portland Gay Men’s Chorus. Bob’s has a 26-year legacy that will be hard to follow, to say the least. Under his leadership, we commissioned one of the most remarkable pieces of choral music I have ever had the opportunity to perform “BraveSouls & Dreamers.” He has brought clarity to our programming that will be hard to duplicate, and his commitment to “affirming the worth of all people” is a tribute to his ongoing personal journey. Bob has also served as a mentor to countless emerging artists, giving of his knowledge, experience, and time to help shape a new generation of skilled musicians, something I know Bob is committed to continuing to do. Bob (and his life partner Dale Boss) are a part of the very fabric of this organization and they will be sorely missed; I wish them well as they explore new avenues of their life together. Thank you, Bob and Dale!!!!
We have a lot to be proud of – PGMC is a remarkable organization filled with amazing talent and skills. As we move forward into our 40th Season, I hope that you will take a moment to celebrate this season for the remarkable event it was, and turn your eyes towards the future as we prepare for the season ahead. Thank you so much for all you do on behalf of PGMC.
Rick Jung
Executive Director
