Our History
In the fall of 1987, an advertisement ran in the Gay and Lesbian News Telegraph seeking men interested in forming St Louis’s first gay chorus. By the spring of 1988, the chorus had grown to 22 men and, under the direction of Michael Cohrs, presented its first concert -- One Voice. With the staging of SHINE: A Celebration of Broadway in June 2017, under the direction of Robert Stumpf, the Gateway Men’s Chorus will have presented its 90th major concert and concluded its 30th Anniversary season.
Throughout its first 30 years, the Gateway Men’s Chorus has opened its stage to over 650 singers and performed over 1200 musical works. The chorus has commissioned a number of pieces through the years, including adaptations of poetry standards, Supreme Court speeches, and satirical works. Many of these works have since been performed by choruses throughout the country, carrying the legacy of GMC from coast-to- coast. And, in addition to appearing on stages around St. Louis, the chorus has performed in Kansas City, Denver, Atlanta, New Orleans, Miami, Montreal, San Jose, Tampa, and even once auditioned for America’s Got Talent!
The mission of the Gateway Men’s Chorus is to affirm and promote gay culture and acceptance through excellence in musical performance and education. To fulfill its mission, the chorus annually presents a three-concert season, performing a breadth of work ranging from classical choral repertoire to Broadway classics, from holiday favorites to iconic LGBT choral anthems, and many of the songs that helped shape our lives. The organization continues to participate in a wide range of special events and community outreach activities throughout the region,including sporting events, Pride, and local fundraisers.
Throughout its first 30 years, the Gateway Men’s Chorus has opened its stage to over 650 singers and performed over 1200 musical works. The chorus has commissioned a number of pieces through the years, including adaptations of poetry standards, Supreme Court speeches, and satirical works. Many of these works have since been performed by choruses throughout the country, carrying the legacy of GMC from coast-to- coast. And, in addition to appearing on stages around St. Louis, the chorus has performed in Kansas City, Denver, Atlanta, New Orleans, Miami, Montreal, San Jose, Tampa, and even once auditioned for America’s Got Talent!
The mission of the Gateway Men’s Chorus is to affirm and promote gay culture and acceptance through excellence in musical performance and education. To fulfill its mission, the chorus annually presents a three-concert season, performing a breadth of work ranging from classical choral repertoire to Broadway classics, from holiday favorites to iconic LGBT choral anthems, and many of the songs that helped shape our lives. The organization continues to participate in a wide range of special events and community outreach activities throughout the region,including sporting events, Pride, and local fundraisers.
Our VisionBy living our mission, the Gateway Men’s Chorus builds a future where no voice can be silenced – one that celebrates inclusion, amplifies the human spirit, and values the arts as essential to the human experience.
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Our ValuesThe Gateway Men’s Chorus abides by central values that govern how we both operate internally and engage externally with the community as a whole. We value:
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