PGMC Legacy Concert features Pop Songs and Commissioned Works
by: Chip Alfred, Press Release

PGMC Legacy Concert on June 15 and 16.

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Jun 12, 2012

Philadelphia, PA - From brotherhood to "Sister Act" and Madonna to rock opera, PGMC has covered the spectrum of choral music over its 30-year history. We've compressed that experience into one singular event for "Legacy," our 30th Anniversary concert on June 15 and 16.

The wide variety of songs on our program guarantee you will leave the hall humming something. Maybe it will be "Joyful, Joyful" from "Sister Act" or "Seize the Day" from the Disney musical "Newsies," a hummable tune with a message of empowerment. Or it might be our newest commissioned work, which will receive its world premiere at this concert: "Raise Our Voice," composed by Collaborative Accompanist Michael Djupstrom with lyrics by PGMC baritone Chip Alfred, based on the stories of Chorus members themselves. Highlighting PGMC's evolution from a few members caroling in bars to an empowering and essential force in the community, "Raise Our Voice" shares our struggles, celebrates our victories and looks forward with hope to turning the vision of our wishes and dreams into reality.

Along with "Raise Our Voice," PGMC will perform selections from three works it commissioned from local composer Robert Maggio. One, "Open Road," based on Walt Whitman's "Song of the Open Road," was written for PGMC's 25th anniversary; the second, "Into the Light," about the struggle of lesbians and gay men for acceptance and visibility, was commissioned for the "Voices of Equality" concert, a 2009 joint concert with the Anna Crusis Women's Choir and the Mendelssohn Club of Philadelphia; and the third, "Angels," celebrated ActionAIDS' 25th anniversary last fall.

"The PGMC 30th Anniversary Concert is cause for joyous and proud celebration, and I am honored and thrilled to be a part of it," Maggio said. "What a delight it has been to see and hear this group get bigger and better every year, and how fortunate we all are to have them enrich the lives of everyone in the Philadelphia community by making glorious music."

"Our 30th Anniversary Concert showcases how we have lived up to our mission over the years," said Artistic Director Joseph J. Buches. "It also shows how we have grown and evolved musically and artistically over three decades and showcases the wide variety of styles we embrace as musicians."

PGMC presents "Legacy: Celebrating 30 Years Toward Harmony" on Friday, June 15, at 8 p.m. and Saturday, June 16, at 2 and 8 p.m. at the Prince Music Theater, 1412 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, just off the Avenue of the Arts. Tickets for each show are $25 and $35; VIP tickets are $55 and include a pre-concert reception. Purchase tickets before June 1 and save $5 off the price of each ticket. Advance tickets are available online through PGMC's website, www.pgmc.org. Visit the website or call 215-731-9230 for more information.

Celebrating its 30th Anniversary Season in 2011-12, the Philadelphia Gay Men's Chorus has grown into one of the Philadelphia region's largest and most respected male choruses and has steadily increased its standing with Philadelphia's LGBT and performing arts communities.