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Gateway Men's Chorus Presents
"Singing For Our Lives! Expressions of Hope"
Union Avenue Christian Church April 4 & 5 (8PM)
"I believe the audience will experience the "Hope
Concert" as a life affirming, love affirming program."
Merry E. Keller, Artistic Director
Gateway Men's Chorus performs the second concert of their 16th Season on April 4
and 5 at Union Avenue Christian Church. This concert is one that will give
meaning to the life experiences of all those affected by HIV-AIDS - those who
are ill, those who love someone who is ill, those who have lost someone close to
them, and those who care about others who are living and dealing with HIV.
The year 2003 marks the 20th anniversary of the identification of HIV, and many
St. Louisans have been affected. Gateway Men's Chorus, committed to maintaining
a leadership position in the arts and GLBT community in St. Louis, has chosen to
perform a concert to mark this milestone and acknowledge the lives of those who
have been affected by HIV. In October of 2002, a round-table meeting was called
to gather community leaders and those who work professionally in the St. Louis
HIV-AIDS community. The ensuing dialogue from this impressive group of
individuals is what helped to shape the message and character of the program for
this concert. The synergy of this group was captured by local photographer,
Scott Lokitz, in the powerful photo image that appears on the concert posters.
The concert takes place one week before AIDS Walk St. Louis 2003. The GMC will
work in collaboration with The AIDS Foundation as a means to further promote and
celebrate the walk. Ten percent of ticket sales revenue will be donated to the
AIDS Walk. Furthermore, GMC has partnered with the AIDS Foundation to produce a
pre-concert reception, which will include an Art Exhibit/Auction and The
Presentation of The AIDS Walk 2003 Victory Awards in recognition of a few of the
many groups who have, since the beginning, participated and supported the AIDS
Walk. Recipients will include; Deanne Lane, MCC, Scott Lokitz, Don Voigt and
Chic. During a light reception concert attendees will be able to view and bid in
a silent auction on works donated by local artists. Proceeds will benefit The
GMC and AIDS Foundation of St. Louis.
The 'emerging face of AIDS' is a phrase that came out of the round table
discussion - highlighting the fact that no longer is HIV-AIDS a 'gay white man's
disease', but rather a disease that knows no bounds of race, age, sexual
identity, gender, etc. Merry Keller said: "Because of the 'diversity' theme I
felt it was very important that the concert offer material and images from a
variety of religious traditions."
The concert opens with Rejoice and Sing Out His Praises an energetic,
rhythmically driving piece by Mark Hayes. Throughout, the piece increases its
intensity rising to a musical climax with a rich harmonic declaration: "I will
rejoice!"
The classical choral piece, Salvation Is Created, by Paul Tschesnokoff,
continues the sacred opening of the concert. The a cappella piece features
dramatic dynamic contrasts with a resonant bass line that provides a solid depth
of sound for which the Gateway Men's Chorus is well-known. The GMC Ensemble is
featured in a James Quitman Mulholland arrangement of Think On Me by Mary Queen
of Scots.
Ose Shalom, translated as "The One Who Makes Peace" is a setting for men's
voices, piano and clarinet of the traditional Hebrew prayer of mourning.
Colorful chords, rhythmic intensity, and exciting vocal lines highlight a text
by Walt Whitman in a composition by James McCray. A Jubilant Song is scored for
men's voices, piano and vibraphone.
Guest soloist, Beverly Stewart Anderson, returns to sing with the Gateway Men's
Chorus a moving and glorious arrangement of Amazing Grace by Jeffrey Jones.
The concert will also feature an appearance by "The Louies". The Louies were
founded by Joan Lipkin, Artistic Director of That Uppity Theatre Company, in the
fall of 2001 to develop theatrical material in a variety of styles that explore
and share the lives of gay men in St. Louis. For some time; Keller has wanted to
include a partnership with The Louies in a concert program. This was the perfect
opportunity. Conversations, the piece that will be performed is about
relationships between gay men, their lovers, friends and mothers. The piece is a
series of interactions that focus on changes and transitions in relationships
between the various characters as they experience loss and come to terms with
the fragile nature of life. The dramatic pieces work with the musical portions
of the program to portray the full message of the concert theme of living into a
transformed place of hope in the midst of loss.
2002 was a phenomenally successful year for the Chorus: GMC produced three
highly successful shows: "Life is a Cabaret", "A Crystal Celebration", our 15th
Anniversary Concert, and "A Saint Louis Holiday". Our Season continues with on
June 20 & 21 with "Broadway Bound", our Celebration of Pride, at the Edison
Theatre on the Washington University Campus.
Performances of "Singing For Our Lives! Expressions of Hope" will be at 8:00 pm
Friday April 4 and Saturday April 5 at Union Avenue Christian Church, 733 Union
Boulevard (at Enright), St. Louis, MO 63108.
Tickets are $18 and $20 and are available by calling 314-621-7286 and at Left
Bank Books, Botanicals on the Park (South Grand), and through Chorus Members.
Find more information about GMC by visiting our website at www.gmc-stl.org |