SFGMC uses music to promote awareness and acceptance and to foster a love for music. Our Reaching Youth Through Music — RHYTHM — program works with local schools to combat isolation and bullying. We are also leaders in LGBTQ performing arts, history, and activism — Former Artistic Director Dr. Tim Seelig and Associate Artistic Director Mitch Galli offer unique insights into our community programming, the craft of music making, and more. Learn all about it here.
On October 27, 2018, on the Chorus’ fortieth birthday weekend, it dedicated a permanent memorial to the 300 singers it had lost. It is dedicated to all artists everywhere. For the first time in history, the National AIDS Memorial Grove allowed an aural component: an eight-foot emperor chime. The tradition of speaking a name and striking a gong or chime has been a part of rituals across the globe for centuries. The Artists Portal includes the names of those lost, heroes in the fight against AIDS/HIV as well as names of LGBTQ+ choruses, bands and ally organizations. All of these now have a permanent home, together, at NAMG.
NEW - From "I Am Harvey Milk," music and lyrics by Andrew Lippa | GALA Festival - Denver, CO July 3, 2016 at Bellco Theater
NEW - """Give 'em Hope"" | Lyrics by Pamela Stewart (based on the words of Harvey Milk) | Music by Joseph M. Martin from Unplugged | Commissioned by Bob Hermann and Dan Joraanstad for the San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus"
One of Harvey Milk’s major life themes was “You gotta give ‘em hope.” This has also been a major tenet of the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus’s mission. It carries over to the National Queer Arts Center. Had the pandemic not shuttered our building, we would be bringing young artists to the Center to support them and give them an outlet for their art. We are continuing that virtually with these awards. Here are the 2022 winners.
"In the spirit of Harvey Milk, the San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus and National Queer Arts Center inaugurated an award program to encourage young artists under the age of 25 from underserved and diverse communities to create original pieces of art that inspire hope.
Here are the winners for 2021: Savannah Martinez (16) ""All The Things I've Left Behind"", Lauryn Williams (16) ""Cranes In The Sky"", Lynn Nguyen (16) ""Hopeful Future"", Qamar Saitovski (17) ""Darling"", and Tiya Birru (15) ""See Our Humanity""
Congratulations to all of our winners and thank you to all students to submitted a piece!"
Reaching Youth Through Music (RHYTHM) is SFGMC's outreach and education program that partners with local school districts to foster a love of music, facilitates understanding, and educates young people on the impact of their words and actions.
We were thrilled to honor Chasten Buttigieg with the Inspiration Award at our “It’s Our Birthday” celebration on October 17, 2020. Here, husband Pete beautifully introduces Chasten who equally beautifully accepts.
Lisa Vroman always reminds us of the good work in the community we’ve done together. Vroman and her team were kind enough to share this exclusive video of her performing “Take of My Solitude” from the unproduced musical “A Vision” by Tom Megan about the life of WB Yeats. What a treat! Enjoy!
Thank you to the 32nd International AIDS Conference for including SFGMC in your programs. It’s always deeply meaningful for us to reflect on our history and current experience with AIDS. We’re very proud of our leadership for their words here broadcasted to the entire conference.
SFGMC helps get runners motivated at the 2013 Santa Skivvies run!
The San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus performs at the National AIDS Memorial Grove to honor Nancy Pelosi for her tireless work in the fight against AIDS, singing “When You Believe” written by Stephen Schwartz. “Love Can Build A Bridge” by the Judds was also performed. Thank you Kile Ozier, NAMGs John Cunningham and Steve Sagaser and the staff of Nancy Pelosi’s office for making this possible. Video produced by chorus members Sean Chapin and Bud Dillon
Tim shares his final reading in this series from his memoir: A Tale of Two Tims. This excerpt is from Chapter 57: The Mormons and Me. A Tale of Two Tims is available now at www.timseelig.com. Don’t miss Tim’s Virtual Facebook Live Launch Event this Saturday, June 27th at 2pm PST. More details available here.
Tim continues reading from his memoir: A Tale of Two Tims. This excerpt is from Chapter 25: A Trip to the Pastor’s Office A Tale of Two Tims is available now at www.timseelig.com. Don’t miss Tim’s Virtual Facebook Live Launch Event on Thursday, June 27th at 2pm PST. More details available here.
Former SFGMC Artistic Director Tim Seelig reads an excerpt from his upcoming memoir (June 27th). Pre-order yours at www.timseelig.com and don’t miss Tim’s virtual kick off Facebook Live event on June 27th at 2pm - with more readings, music and friends. More details available here.
NEW - SFGMC Associate Artistic Director Mitch Galli connects with John Alecca, Executive Director of Young Audiences of Northern California. Learn about YANC and how they inspire young people through art.
SFGMC Associate Artistic Director, Mitch Galli, interviews Sam Bass, the Director of Visual and Performing Arts for San Francisco Unified School District to discuss the climate of arts education in San Francisco and ways in which the school district is innovating and reimagining the traditional arts classroom.
SFGMC Associate Artistic Director, Mitch Galli, returns with Lesson 6, the final lesson of our Outside Voices curriculum. In this episode, Mitch provides how-to pointers on recording your performance piece and uploading online to share with the world.
SFGMC Associate Artistic Director, Mitch Galli, returns with Lesson 5 of 6 in our Outside Voices curriculum. In this episode, Mitch guides you through a 5-step process to edit your performance piece with a partner.
SFGMC Associate Artistic Director, Mitch Galli, returns with Lesson 4 of 6 in our Outside Voices curriculum. In this episode, Mitch walks you through the first phase of editing your performance piece
The First Baptist Church in Greenville, SC, served as an important venue during our 2017 Lavender Pen Tour of the South. In April 2020, Rev. Jim Dant shared his insights on spirituality during these challenging times.
SFGMC Associate Artistic Director, Mitch Galli, returns with Lesson 3 of 6 in our Outside Voices curriculum. In this episode, Mitch walks you through how to take your personal story from last week and turn it into a performance.
SFGMC Associate Artistic Director, Mitch Galli, returns with Lesson 2 of 6 in our Outside Voices curriculum. This lesson looks at the importance of storytelling. The learning objective is for students to be able to define storytelling, identify well-known stories that impact the American experience, and explain three reasons that storytelling is important to social action. The curriculum can be found here.
Former SFGMC Artistic Director Dr. Tim Seelig teaches us about your throat's vocal folds and how they influence your singing voice.
Join our Associate Artistic Director, Mitch Galli, as he guides you through Lesson 1 of 6 in our Outside Voices curriculum. This lesson looks at the importance of storytelling. The learning objective is for students to be able to define storytelling, identify well-known stories that impact the American experience, and explain three reasons that storytelling is important to social action. The curriculum can be found here.
We know it feels like the world is living la vida loca these days, so members of SFGMC have put together this video from the safety of their homes in support of Mayor London Breed and San Francisco's ongoing response to COVID-19. (And make sure to wash in between your fingers!)
Former SFGMC Artistic Director Dr. Tim Seelig has a lot of favorite things. Here he shares his A Few of My Favorite.... Warm Ups! Enjoy.
Associate Artistic Director Mitch Galli introduces SFGMC's new curriculum, Outside Voices, written in collaboration with the It Gets Better Project. The curriculum is a fantastic opportunity for students to turn their own personal stories into a performance art piece and encourage youth to use their outside voice.
The San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus partners with the It Gets Better tour to bring to life the experiences of young people on their path to acceptance.
SFGMC is a nonprofit performing arts organization impacted by the recent COVID-19 pandemic. Please consider a tax-deductible gift in support of this work.