What an interesting 40th Anniversary Season!

For the past three months, over 105 members of the Portland Gay Men’s Chorus have rehearsed the music for a concert celebrating our first 40 years on stage. “Reflections” was to introduce our new Artistic Director to the community, feature stellar guest artists who have been an important part of our legacy, and take you, our audience, on a musical journey through 40 years of PGMC’s choral heritage.  Then a tiny new virus called COVID-19 emerged and upended pretty much life as we know it. Social distancing, work-from-home, surgical masks, and take-out are the new normal.

The disappointment PGMC is feeling right now is hard to put into words.  An amazing testament to our musical heritage with songs ranging from “Never Ever,” “Angels,” and “Jesse” to “The Rose,” “I Sing the Body Electric,” and “Seasons of Love”–showing how the Chorus has celebrated four decades of life; reflecting the legacy of over 1,430 people who have been a part of the Chorus since 1980; demonstrating the resiliency of an organization that has experienced joy, exhilaration, fear and unimaginable sorrow–is now on hold.  For an organization with “performances” in its mission statement, this is a cruel blow.

What do we do now?  Do we move forward with our season?  Do we have a space to rehearse? How do we prepare for a concert if we don’t? How do we pay our bills?  What do we cut? How do we plan for next season? How do we perform if this is indeed the new reality?

The Portland Gay Men’s Chorus has successfully weathered 40 years as an organization and remains committed to being here for another 40 years or more.   We have been through good and bad times and we will emerge from this stronger and more resilient than ever. So please keep safe, follow the protocols that are in place for our well-being, and here’s hoping we will see you sooner than later at a rescheduled concert in the very near future.

Thank you for your ongoing support of the Chorus.

-Richard Jung, Executive Director, PGMC