SFGMC’S “TOGETHER” SEASON WILL DELIGHT AND INSPIRE WITH HOLIDAY CHEER,
SHOW-STOPPING OVATIONS AND
A CELEBRATION OF PRIDE
(SAN FRANCISCO, CA, September 19, 2024)—The San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus (SFGMC), the world’s premier queer chorus, announces today their “Together” Season, a series of 11 concerts across the Bay Area
between December and June. Under the baton of Artistic Director Jacob Stensberg, the 280-member chorus, now in its 47th season, will entertain and inspire audiences with their beloved annual Holiday Spectacular as well as Broadway, Our Way and The Pride Concert. SFGMC will perform at some of the Bay Area’s best-known concert venues including Davies
Symphony Hall, Green Music Center (Sonoma County), Zellerbach
Auditorium (as part of the Cal Performances season), Sydney Goldstein Theater and The Curran. Tickets and more information about each
concert can be found at www.sfgmc.org.
SFGMC is known globally for its wide range of musical excellence, with styles that cover the entire Choral catalog from classical to Chappell Roan and Celine Dion. Every SFGMC concert also includes a generous amount of their trademark blend of humor, camp, spectacle and heartfelt emotion, inspiring listeners to make a positive impact in their communities. Among this season’s highlights are several original compositions receiving their world premieres by artists including Holly Near, Daniel Hughes and others to be announced. SFGMC’s principal accompanist is Danny Sullivan.
The Lollipop Guild and HomoPhonics, SFGMC’s premier ensembles who last year went viral on TikTok and Instagram (with over 1 Million views), will also take to the stage, adding their signature mix of comedy and vocal excellence that create unforgettable musical moments.
“As we look back on SFGMC’s journey and as our community faces future uncertainties, our power is in our unity,” stated SFGMC Artistic Director Jacob Stensberg. “Choral music’s essence is in the convergence of voices, which mirrors the power of community and shared humanity. With our upcoming season, “Together”, we honor San Francisco’s legacy of progress and inclusion, using our music to celebrate diversity and inspire hope for a brighter tomorrow.”
“There is an African proverb that says “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together,” stated SFGMC Chief Executive Officer Chris Verdugo. “This season, the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus is set to go further than ever before. Together, with our gifted singers, valued community and school partners, generous donors, dedicated staff and supportive audiences, we are poised to reach new heights. With unity as our guiding force, SFGMC will continue to lead by creating extraordinary music and transformative experiences that build community, inspire activism and foster compassion both at home and around the world.
New this season, SFGMC is introducing a two-tier VIP experience for a limited number of attendees: The VIP Immersive Experience and The VIP Gift Package.
VIP Immersive Experience – This package brings audience members up close and personal with SFGMC and includes a photo op from the stage with Artistic Director and Conductor Jacob Stensberg, an exclusive backstage pre-show visit, a serenade with the Chorus and more. The VIP Immersive Experience also receives everything included in the VIP Gift Package.
VIP Gift Package – This package includes an SFGMC gift basket filled with goodies for fans of the Chorus. Purchasers can expect exclusive branded merchandise as well as a collectible, signed Holiday Spectacular show poster.
In the Spring, SFGMC will present Crescendo, their signature fundraising gala on Saturday April 5, 2025 at the Westin St. Francis Hotel. Last year, Crescendo raised a record $1 million dollars! The glamorous event includes honoring advocates for the LGBTQ+ community, a sit-down gourmet dinner, performances by the Chorus, a live auction and the most fierce after-party found anywhere across the Bay Area social calendar.
SFGMC’s signature educational program RHYTHM (Reaching Youth Through Music) will continue to visit Bay Area middle and high schools across the region to share a message of love, inclusivity, and strength. Last season, RHYTHM, under the direction of Associate Director of Music Education & Outreach Mitch Galli reached more than 3,000 students and teachers. A typical RHYTHM event is tailored specifically to each school’s needs and includes a performance by members of SFGMC, storytelling and pre-event surveys that help young people better understand the concepts of inclusion and bias and inspires positive social change and community building.
In addition to their 11-concert season, Crescendo, and RHYTHM, SFGMC remains one of the busiest volunteer ensembles in the Bay Area. As the backbone of the LGBTQ community, they bring their voices to more than 30 additional events each year in community spaces, classrooms and at their home at The Chan National Queer Arts Center (170 Valencia Street.) A full schedule of events at The Chan will be announced in the near future.
SFGMC’s season of concerts is made possible by generous support from Terrence D. Chan and Edward Sell, Janet Cluff, and Steve Gallagher/ Coldwell Banker.
Holiday Spectacular
December 6, 7, 15, 21, & 24, 2024
Various Venues (see below)
In December, SFGMC’s annual Holiday Spectacular brings together the Bay Area like nothing else. SFGMC’s signature choreography, comedy and charm is anticipated to entertain 15,000 audience members from San Francisco to Berkeley and Sonoma. Expect to hear holiday classics, original compositions, some Chappell Roan and a Celine Dion medley that will leave audiences saying “no, they didn’t just do that!” The Holiday Spectacular has something for everyone and is recommended for all ages.
SFGMC’s 35th annual Home For The Holidays Christmas Eve performances will move to the stunning Davies Symphony Hall this season, while our traditional home, The Castro Theatre, continues its renovation.
Friday, December 6 at 8 PM, Sydney Goldstein Theater Saturday, December 7 at 3:30 PM, Sydney Goldstein Theater Saturday, December 7 at 8 PM, Sydney Goldstein Theater Sunday, December 15th at 5 PM, Green Music Center (Sonoma) Saturday, December 21 at 5 PM, Zellerbach Auditorium (Berkeley) Tuesday, December 24 at 4 PM, Davies Symphony Hall Tuesday, December 24 at 7 PM, Davies Symphony Hall
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Broadway, Our Way
Saturday, March 29, 2025
Curran Theatre
With Broadway, Our Way, audiences can expect a show that only SFGMC could dream of as they leverage the love and power of everyone’s favorite Broadway anthems, with music from shows including Wicked, Ragtime, and Dear Evan Hansen. And what better place to showcase this evening of bright lights, big sets (of pipes) and unmistakable giddiness than at one of San Francisco’s most iconic Broadway touring houses, The Curran?
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The Pride Concert
June 2025
SFGMC concludes their 47th season with The Pride Concert, a vibrant celebration of our beloved LGBTQ+ community and how far we’ve come. This
concert honors the spirit of Pride Month, uplifting our stories and celebrating our resilience. In June, SFGMC will perform this special program in San Francisco (venue and date to be announced), bringing the community together in song to honor the legacy of Pride in our City. For the first time, The Pride Concert will also tour, bringing a message of unity to Sonoma area residents at the Green Music Center on Saturday, June 7.
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About SFGMC
Founded in 1978, SFGMC sparked a nationwide LGBTQ choral movement after its first public performance at a vigil on the steps of City Hall following the assassinations of Supervisor Harvey Milk and Mayor George Moscone. Since then, SFGMC has been embedded in the fabric of San Francisco. It has soothed souls in pain, lifted spirits in triumph, and has remained a steadfast beacon of hope.
Under the leadership of Chief Executive Officer Chris Verdugo and Artistic Director Jacob Stensberg, SFGMC has established a heightened level of performance standards bringing renewed audience and choral industry acclaim. Recent tours, recordings, and outreach programs have broadened its impact and reputation in the community while maintaining its signature blend of humor, personality, and groundbreaking performances. In 2023, SFGMC renovated a historic facility that has become its permanent home for rehearsals, offices, and intimate performances. The building also serves as The Chan National Queer Arts Center, the first-ever community space for LGBTQ artists and arts organizations.
For more information on SFGMC, visit www.sfgmc.org
Facebook: www.facebook.com/sfgmc
Instagram: www.instagram.com/sfgmc
TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@sfgaymenschorus
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Visit SFGMC TV: www.sfgmc.org/sfgmctv
SFGMC MEDIA CONTACT: Scott Walton
415.350.5195/[email protected]
