PGMC Celebrates 30 Years

Joe Buches (courtesy of PGMC)

The Philadelphia Gay Men’s Chorus (PGMC) has been singing in harmony together for 30 years. And in honor of the anniversary season, Artistic Director Joe Buches says there are a few very special events being planned starting next month.

“During this season,” says Buches, “the PGMC shares our joy and excitement as we look back on the past 30 years of our history. We’ll remember and honor our successes throughout the past, and look ahead to a successful future. This year, we bring you music that has touched our hearts at some point over the years, as well as music that will propel us into the next 30 years.”

The season kicks off with Nutcracker: A Tale of Sugar Plum Fairies (Dec. 9) at the Prince Music Theatre – a reprise of one of the group’s most successful concerts in their history. And In February, the select ensemble Brotherly Love performs their annual solo concert called Pearl Necklace (Feb. 25), also at the Prince. A bawdy evening of song kicks off the adult cabaret where audiences will see the more risque side of the chorus.

During the third show of the season, Changes: In Good Time (March 30), PGMC partners with Rashan Jackson of Smoke, Lilies & Jade to present “Metamorphosis,” part three of the song cycle by Robert Seeley which includes “Naked Man” and “Exile” at the Prince. “The PGMC has performed the first two parts of the trilogy as part of our 20th and 25th Anniversary concerts,” says Buches.

The 30th anniversary season comes into full bloom during Legacy: Celebrating 30 Years Toward Harmony (June 15) to celebrate the PGMC’s first full concert in 1982. This new show will not only look back on favorite numbers throughout the group’s history, but will also feature a special anniversary commission by Michael Djupstrom, PGMC’s collaborative accompanist, with a libretto by chorus member Chip Alfred.

“The year concludes with our participation in the GALA (Gay and Lesbian Association of Choruses) Festival 2012 in Denver (July 7-11),” adds Buches, “where we’ll proudly represent Philadelphia among hundreds of choruses from around the world.”

Here’s PGMC letting everyone know “It Gets Better:”