New York City Gay Men's Chorus Alumni Association

07/30/2026

It is with a sad heart that we announce the passing of Jerry Christman.

Jerry joined for Pride in 1999 and stayed with the Chorus until December 2023. He was a Tenor 2, and was co-chair of travel logistics for the 2001 trio chorus concerts with DC and Boston that Spring along with Dave Bolton.

Jerry was a member of the Ambassador Chorus for its full term from 2001 until 2007, and had a few feature spots in concerts over the years, including a solo in "Retirement", a movement of Sage Cycle, a commission from Eric Lane Barnes.

Our condolences to his family and dear friends. Jerry's smile and joy will be deeply missed.

07/16/2026

Summer garden party fundraiser, Entr'acte, is coming up on Monday, July 20.

VIP starts at 6 pm, General Admission at 7 pm

Orfeh will be our headline performer.

https://e.givesmart.com/events/Oid/i/

Here is our auction - check out the items - some great travel spots - Provincetown, Orlando, Virgin Voyage, theater tickets, signed limited posters for Maybe Happy Endings and the limited West End run of End of the Rainbow with Jinkx Monsoon.

07/12/2026

Former Chorus member, Greg Jones (T2, 2003-2013) is the Board Chair of the newly formed SATB LGBTQ chorus in Wisconsin. - Driftless Pride Choir.

" Greg Jones here (former NYCGMC member). I
'm now Board Chair of the newly-constituted Driftless Pride Choir, an LGBTQ+ mixed-voice ensemble based in La Crosse, WI, with over 20 founding members from the "Driftless Region," where Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Iowa meet.

"We're trying to raise $5K to qualify for a $5K challenge grant. We're currently 38% toward our goal. You might imagine what life in the upper Midwest is currently like for LGBTQ+ folks and how vital a chorus like ours can be. There's never been a more important time for our voices to be heard. Would you be able to make a contribution?

"Our fundraising page is:
https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/help-us-create-our-community-of-song

"Our page is: https://www.facebook.com/DriftlessPrideChoir/

"This has been a personal project of mine, and I'd consider your support a personal favor. Any amount will help!

Appreciatively, Greg"

Driftless Pride Choir, "a kindred space for Q***r and Allied voices," is a newly-forming, non-profit, mixed-voice (SATB) community chorus recruiting members and volunteers from throughout the Driftless Region, where Wisc., Minn., and Iowa come together.

07/10/2026

Sad news to learn of the passing of the iconic Bonnie Tyler.

On September 22, 2015, the Chorus performed as guests on Neil Patrick Harris's show Best Time Ever. Neil had Nicole Scherzinger as his "sidekick", and special guest was Bonnie Tyler. for this 2nd episode.

Bonnie performed her "Total Eclipse of the Heart" for the segment Singalong Live. And to end the show, she performed with Nicole and NYCGMC, "Holding Out for a Hero"

Here is the full episode. The Chorus can be seen at 39:25.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=50c5npo1edQ

06/26/2026

June 26, 1994 - Pride March celebrating Stonewall 25

The March went up 1st Avenue and across 57th Street before ending in Central Park. As part of the March, there was a mile long rainbow flag carried by 5000 volunteers.

An amazing March that year! NYCGMC was joined by GMCLA and Seattle Men's Chorus for the march. And this all occurred during the Gay Games as well.

06/18/2026

32 years ago - June 18, 1994

Gay Games IV Opening Ceremonies
Lawrence A. Wein Stadium at Columbia University

Many of the members of the Gay Games Chorus were members of NYCGMC. The conductor for the Chorus was NYCGMC conductor Gary Miller.

The Chorus would also do a concert at Damrosch Park and the closing ceremonies at Yankee Stadium with Barbara Cook.

Also during the week were the two NYCGMC concerts at Carnegie Hall with guest choruses Seattle Men's Chorus and Gay Men's Chorus of Los Angeles, for a Stonewall 25 commission - Flashpoint Stonewall.

06/07/2026

June 4 was GIVE OUT DAY 2026 - but, raising funds goes on ALL MONTH OF JUNE!

We are participating to raise $5000 to help with our FREE programs in June.
https://www.giveoutday.org/organization/nycgmc

We have done performances at the Whitney Museum and Brooklyn Museum, and coming up will be MoMA (Museum of Modern Art.

In addition, we have our annual Juneteenth concert, Unspeakable Joy, which features our Black members and celebrates history and tradition.

June is filled with performances, from a Chorus member's wedding to a corporate gig. Even a guest appearance with the New York Philharmonic, Jenn Colella, and Noah Ricketts for their Celebrate Pride! concert at Lincoln Center.

If you would like to help us reach our goal, just go to the link to donate and help us reach our $5000 goal!
https://www.giveoutday.org/organization/nycgmc

HAPPY PRIDE!

05/14/2026

After the success of the retirement dinner for Gary Miller, the Chorus created a gala benefit evening to raise funds for the Chorus.

It was held on May 14, 1999, at the Hudson Theater - which at that time was an event space.

The evening included a sit-down dinner, auction, and performance from Marin Mazzie, with accompaniment from composer Stephen Flaherty (this was when Ragtime was on Broadway). When asked about performing, Ms. Mazzie said, might I be able to have my husband as well? And we also got Jason Danieley!!

To create more for the evening, three honors were awards to -
Terrence McNally - playwright
Richard Burns, Executive Director of The Center
Joe Scialo, owner of The Monster Bar who was a major donor and helped underwrite the 1998 recording Look to the Rainbow.

A very successful first event that would spark the annual galas to follow.

05/13/2026

From April 29 - June 2, 1981, the Chorus held several events to raise money so they would be able to wear tuxedos for their debut at Carnegie Hall in December 1981.

David Lloyd Sears was the leader of this effort. Events were arranged -
April 29 - Gala Benefit Dinner - Blue Skies Cabaret
May 13 - Benefit - Badlands
May 28 - Cabaret Benefit - Kelly's Village West
June 2 - Cabaret Benefit - Mineshaft

The initiative was titled - Bux for Tux - and raised enoiugh so every member had a tuxedo for their Carnegie concert in December 1981.

05/12/2026

We mourn the loss of New York movie critic, Rex Reed, who passed away today.

Mr. Reed was one of three hosts for the NYCGMC second movie concert - REEL MUSIC, in March 1993 at Carnegie Hall.

Rex Reed shared hosting duties with columnist Liz Smith and television personality Bobby Rivers. All three are now deceased.

Their banter during the show, and their insights into the movies, helped make the evening one of music and laughs.