Dr. Ken Haller was gracious enough to share his personal story about how he got involved with Gateway Men’s Chorus and how it has positively impacted his life.
Ken shared his musical background before joining Gateway Men’s Chorus in 1990: “I sang in church and school choirs when I was a kid, then musical theater in high school, college, and medical school.” How it all started for Ken: “A friend told me about the Gateway Men’s Chorus in the summer of 1990. I was just coming out of a very important relationship, and frankly I was not doing well. I had kind of isolated myself from a lot of friends during the three years I had been with this guy. GMC was a real godsend for me. It gave me a community, and it rekindled my joy in performing.” The impact of Gateway Men’s Chorus in Ken’s life: “This is now my 29th season with GMC. I’ve always sung at least two concerts every year, and most years all three. I was also on the board of GMC for many years and was board president from 1997-2001. That experience gave me the skills to take to other local, statewide, and national boards of non-profit organizations that serve the LGBT community as well as medically underserved communities. Finally, GMC gave me the confidence and the skills to get back into local theater in 2000 and then to begin to seriously study the art of cabaret, which is about telling stories through song. I have since created five original shows which I have taken to New York, Chicago, Denver, and San Francisco. My latest show, “Happy HallerDays,” has its world premiere here at the Gaslight Cabaret Festival on November 2. And I can tell you: None of that would have been possible without the Gateway Men’s Chorus.”
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Mr. Danny Owens was gracious enough to share his personal story about how he got involved with Gateway Men’s Chorus and how it has positively impacted his life.
Danny shared his background experience before joining Gateway Men’s Chorus in 1993: “I began taking piano lessons at about age 6 and continued until I graduated from high school. I began voice lessons in high school and started singing in choirs and small groups in high school and also in church. I also performed in a few theatrical productions during my high school years. Throughout college, I continued with voice lessons and performed with a choir and a small ensemble. Music was my minor in college, with a vocal emphasis.” How it all started for Danny: “I moved to Saint Louis in early 1993 and was living with a friend in the Central West End when the annual Pride Festival came along in June of that year… Gateway Men's Chorus had a booth and I was delighted to learn that Saint Louis had a gay men's chorus. I joined for the Holiday show in 1993 and have been an active member ever since.” The impact of Gateway Men’s Chorus in Danny’s life: “GMC has given me a creative outlet that I wouldn't have otherwise. Music has always been such an important part of my life and GMC provides a way to perform and make a difference in other people's lives. Not everyone can participate in organized protests, but everyone can do something and I love the fact that you can be a part of an organization like GMC where you can join your voice with others to seek change and equality and to provide healing for all in our community. It's very fulfilling. My original decision to join was based on the desire to find an outlet for my musical talent and meet new friends.” Dr. David Montgomery was gracious enough to share his personal story about how he got involved with Gateway Men’s Chorus and how it has positively impacted his life. David shared a taste of the extensive musical background he had before he joined Gateway Men’s Chorus in the 1990s:
“I grew up in a musical family. My father sang high tenor in a gospel quartet that had a regular radio program. I sang solos, duets and quartets with family members at church, took piano lessons from age 7, played cornet in the band, and played in numerous ensembles. Our school did not have any choral opportunities for males, so I started taking voice lessons when I was a Junior and received a #1 rating at district contest my senior year. I majored in vocal music in college for a year and a half, and although I officially changed my major to art, I continued taking music courses and got certification to teach vocal music K-12. Subsequently, at the secondary level, I taught mixed chorus, girls ensemble, and co-directed the musical Little Mary Sunshine. I also directed community courses, and church youth choruses, sang in a barbershop chorus and quartet, participated in opera workshop as a chorus member, sang in musicals, and sang many more solos, and in ensembles at various churches.”' How it all started for David: “When I moved to St. Louis in '94, I learned of Gateway Men's Chorus from a cousin who lived here. Then, a fellow member of the MCC choir joined GMC and invited me to a concert, which I attended. I immediately knew I wanted to join the chorus as soon as I finished my dissertation and had more time.” The impact of Gateway Men’s Chorus: “Being a member of GMC has affected me positively in many ways. Primarily, it has helped me be more open about my sexuality and be proud of who I am. I soon started inviting colleagues at work to our concerts. I then had the courage to come out to my family members and invited them to our concerts as well. I am proud to stand on stage with other gay (or gay friendly) men, and present a positive image. I truly believe that our music and our openness changes minds and influences people. I primarily joined the chorus to have an outlet to sing in a quality men's chorus. Of course, I also wanted to meet other gay men with whom I could share the joy of singing. |
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