MAKING MUSIC. MAKING HISTORY.

ON NOVEMBER 27, 1978 MAYOR GEORGE MOSCONE AND HARVEY MILK, THE CITY’S FIRST OPENLY
GAY ELECTED OFFICIAL, WERE ASSASSINATED. The newly formed San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus was scheduled to rehearse that night, but headed to the steps of City Hall instead. There, during an impromptu memorial service, the Chorus sang in public for
the first time.

The following month, on December 20, 1978, the chorus made its official debut, and the response to the holiday shows was overwhelmingly enthusiastic. The impact was profound as the first audiences witnessed the impossible – 150 openly gay men singing on stage, breaking the silence of hate, and changing the world forever. To this day, members who sang in those first few concerts recall the tears of joy and pride from the audience.

In 1981, the chorus left San Francisco to begin a historic, national tour with stops in Seattle, Dallas and New York. The concerts inspired hundreds to come out, share their stories and, even start their own gay choruses. SFGMC had sparked a musical revolution that resulted in the formation of the Gay and Lesbian Association of Choruses – or GALA Choruses – a global organization which today includes more than 200 groups and over 10,000 members.

The early years of triumph were followed by many more years of tragedy as AIDS tightened its relentless grip on the gay community. Caring for and burying so many of brothers took its toll and funerals were held weekly, but the chorus continued to perform,reaching out with music, spreading a message of hope and perseverance, and raising money for the vital organizations that helped feed, shelter, and care for the sick.

Today, the chorus still does all of these things, and more. On a glorious day in 2004, San Francisco started to allow same sex marriage, and once again, the chorus took to the steps of City Hall and sang. SFGMC contributed to the struggle to fight Proposition 8 and repeal Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell by combining both issues into a hilarious adaptation of Gilbert and Sullivan’s “HMS Pinafore” in order to point out the absurdity of those legislative policies. And after marriage equality was taken away, the chorus embarked on the California Freedom Tour, performing in the same conservative communities that supported Proposition 8.

What comes next? No one can tell, but to quote an SFGMC favorite, “the singing will never be done!”

The responsibilities and charge of the Golden Gate Performing Arts Board of Directors are to support the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus in its mission to inspire its audience, members, and the world through high-quality choral experiences. The Board maintains oversight of the organizational mission, financial and fiduciary management, maintaining public trust in the institution, hiring and evaluation of executive staff, and support for executive staff. Through appreciation and respect of the organization’s history, the Board leads the organization as visionaries for the future.

Michael Tate, President
Paul Olsen, Vice President
Jason Russell, Treasurer
Gregory F. Sandritter, Secretary
Michael Bankert
Cynthia Cooper
Justin E. Donahue
Bob Hermann
Jeffrey Huang
Stacy Lewis
Sean S. Livingston
Trudi Loscotoff
Daniel J. Powell
Paul Stoner

Executive Staff:
Dr. Timothy Seelig
Teddy Witherington

Dr. Timothy Seelig

Artistic Director & Conductor

Tim Seelig has been making music as a conductor, singer, and teacher for 35 years. In addition his role as Artistic Director and Conductor with San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus, he currently serves as the Director of Art for Peace and Justice, Artistic Director in Residence for GALA Choruses, and since 1996 sits on the adjunct music faculty at Southern Methodist University’s Meadows School of the Arts. In addition, he continues an extremely busy guest conducting schedule throughout the United States, Canada, and Europe. He is Conductor Emeritus of Turtle Creek Chorale, based in Dallas, Texas, which he conducted for 20 years.

Known for his enthusiasm and sense of humor, Grammy Magazine says, “Dr. Seelig takes eclecticism to new heights.” Fanfare Magazine says he raises singers from “the ranks of amateur choir to one receiving wide recognition for excellent performances of appealing, fresh repertoire.” The New York Times calls Seelig an “expressive performer,” and the Fort Worth Star Telegram quips, “Seelig slices a thick cut of ham.”

He is the proud father of two wonderful children and, along with partner Shawn Northcutt, celebrated the recent arrival of his first grandchild.

Teddy Witherington

Executive Director

Teddy currently serves SFGMC as its Executive Director and joined the organization at the end of November 2006. Teddy was born in London, England on April 13, 1962 and following graduation from college spent 10 years working as a lawyer in the City of London, specializing in private client and non-profit law.

In 1991, Teddy joined the London Lesbian and Gay Pride Committee and was its Executive Director until July 1997. Following an extensive worldwide search, the San Francisco Pride Committee hired Teddy in August 1997, as its first-ever Executive Director. In his nine years as Executive Director of San Francisco Pride, approximately $900,000 was granted back to over 100 community groups and charities.

Carl Pantle

Principal Accompanist & Music Director of Vocal Minority

Paul Saccone

Music Director of The Lollipop Guild

Lynden Bair

Associate Accompanist & Administrative Assistant

Mike Holland

Artistic Operations Manager

Rachel Pokorny

Administration & Programs Manager

Kara Whittington

Marketing Director

Tony McIntosh

Box Office & Merchandise Manager

 

TJ Busse

Bookkeeper

Ethan Pope

ASL Interpreter

The Lollipop Guild

PAUL SACCONE, MUSIC DIRECTOR

Mike Holland, Assistant Director
Lynden Bair, Accompanist

The Lollipop Guild was founded in 1979 and is recognized as the world’s first openly gay small ensemble. Known for its light-hearted and upbeat style of a cappella singing, The Lollipop Guild has grown from a Barbershop Quartet into an ensemble that features over 20 of SFGMC’s finest singers.

In addition to touring and concerts, the Lollipop Guild has a long history of outreach performances in our community. They’ve sung at countless hospice events, helped raise money for local HIV/AIDS support organizations, and have performed with Donna Sachet in her holiday show. In 1996 they performed the National Anthem at the San Francisco Giants “Until There’s A Cure” game, making the Lollipop Guild the first gay chorus to ever sing at a Major League Baseball event.

Vocal Minority

Carl Pantle, Music Director

Vocal Minority was founded in 2003 during the Chorus’ landmark 25th anniversary season in honor of the small ensemble Vocal Minority that began in 1980. A select group of performers, Vocal Minority members guarantee to sing, dance, and–most importantly—smile their way into everyone’s hearts. With a repertoire ranging from the sublime to the ridiculous, their unique brand of fun, quality entertainment is second to none.

With nearly 300 active members, the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus is a wealth of talent, but this group of men is also a family of love and support, celebrating our gay pride through musical excellence.

SFGMC is a great place to meet people while doing something enjoyable and worthwhile. In addition to our regular concert series, we have appeared with celebrities, on television, for benefits, parades and fund-raisers, and we have toured to other states and countries. There is always a lot going on, and you are encouraged to become as involved in as many additional activities and performances as you are able.

Our family is always growing and welcoming new members, so feel free to audition if you would like to join the fun.

Mission Statement

The Mission of the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus is to inspire its audience, members and the world through high-quality choral experiences.

Our Vision

SFGMC strives to help create a world in which:

• All people are given the chance to develop a greater compassion for each other and where difference is celebrated.
• All people, regardless (particularly) of sexual orientation or gender identity, have equal access to the arts and the freedom to express their diverse cultural identities.
• Choral music is appreciated and embraced as being vital to cultural and spiritual health.

To achieve this, SFGMC strives to create and maintain an organization that:

• Excels as an artistic leader, renowned for high standards and innovation.
• Builds bridges with communities to create an increased understanding of and affection for choral music and LGBT communities.
• Has a stable and diverse financial base.
• Nurtures and affirms LGBT cultures and communities, raising awareness and funds for fledgling arts groups and allied causes.
• Provides a caring and safe environment for its members, staff and audience.
• Provides the best possible services for its audience to enhance their experience.
• Is transparent and honorable in all its dealings.
• Has administrative integrity and is respected as a model for best practices.