The Arts

Story and photos by Victoria Lavelle

It was curtains up for the Philadelphia Gay Men’s Chorus (PGMC) in the Large Auditorium at DCCC’s Marple campus, a Campus Life event to promote diversity at the college on Nov. 2.

choir4 — Under the direction of artistic director J Men’s Chorus
performs in DCCC’s Large Auditorium.

The chorus performs music together and is key in the creation of new choral compositions. Under the artistic direction of Joseph J. Buches, along with collaborative piano accompanist, Tim Brown, the PGMC performed a variety of Broadway melodies that included selections from Kinky Boots and a vast arrangement of adult contemporary classics.

choir3 — PGMC collaborative piano accompanist Tim Brown plays “True Colors.”

PGMC’s Brotherly Love ensemble sang “Bridge Over Trouble Water” with Broadway legend Jennifer Holiday at the 2017 Out& Equal Workplace Summit Galain Philadelphia. As an introduction into the chorus’s rendition of “True Colors,” the chorus shared anecdotes from their recent performance with recording artist Cyndi Lauper.

choir1 — Andrew Crowley sings Broadway solo from “Kinky Boots.”

The chorus is a cultural fixture in Philadelphia and is one of the oldest gay men’s choruses in the nation. It was founded in 1981 when former director Gerald Davis toured the city’s LGBT district with just three other members to sing Christmas carols during the holiday season throughout the mid 80’s.

The chorus became the first LGBT musical group to perform at City Hall for the Philadelphia City Council in 97’, and the growth of PGMC took off in the new millennium.

choiraudience — Audience members of all ages enjoyed the performances by the PGMC’s
Brotherly Love ensemble.

The chorus’ mission as stated on their official website reads: “The Philadelphia Gay Men’s Chorus entertains audiences, supports communities, and fosters acceptance through exceptional musical performance. Our vision is a community that celebrates differences and a chorus that inspires change.”