2021 Holiday Concert Program

GAY MEN’S CHORUS OF SOUTH FLORIDA with Gabe Salazar, Artistic Director presents

A South Florida Tradition!

GMCSF

Holiday Joy Returns

Let’s Gather and Celebrate

The Gay Men’s Chorus of South Florida, Inc. Gabe Salazar, Artistic Director presents

HOLIDAYS AT SUNSHINE CATHEDRAL Friday, December 17, 2021

HOLIDAYS AT HARD ROCK LIVE WITH DEBORAH COX Sunday, December 19, 2021

Hosted by the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood

Christopher Toth Accompanist

Edwin Neimann

GMCSF Principal Accompanist

James Smith

Kevin Combs Accompanist

Umberto Veltri

Production Director

Stage Manager

Scott Hindley

Joseph Fletcher & Bruce Anderson

Choreographer

Costumes

Guest Artists

LeNora Jaye Sunshine Cathedral performance

Deborah Cox Hard Rock Live performance

With Special Performances by

Tropical Wave, The GMCSF Dancers, The GMCSF Bell Choir

Tropical Wave’s holiday performances are generously sponsored by the Bears of South Florida

Orchestra

Flute: Robert Billington Oboe: Erin Billings Clarinet: Christine Pascual-Fernandez Saxophone: Douglas Dempsey French Horn: Amber Dean Trumpet 1: Luis Carlos Pulido Orjuela Trumpet 2: Courtney Jones Trombone: Alexander Walden

Violin 1: Daniela Lemus Castillo Violin 2: Vyara Hristova Viola: Daniel Guevara Cello: Yunus Rajabiy Double Bass: Gonzalo Kochi Kikuchi Percussion: Filipe Diaz Drums: Theresa Flores

A very special thank you to: Lascelles Stephens, President of DECO Entertainment South Florida Pride Wind Ensemble

Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Hollywood Susan Renneisen, Vice President of Community Affairs & Special Events David Gold, Vice President of Entertainment Erick Eldridge, Community Affairs & Special Events Brett Annis, Box Office Manager

Greg Rios, Public Relations Stephanie Baguidy, Advertising Coordinator Michelle Torres, Advertising Specialist

Sunshine Cathedral

Reverend Durrell Watkins, Senior Minister Reverend Robert Griffin, Executive Minister Kurt Litzenberger, Facilities Manager NOTE: Audio and video recording of any kind and flash photography are prohibited.

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A MESSAGE FROM OUR ARTISTIC DIRECTOR What a tremendous honor it is to take the stage with this incredible ensemble. I feel it is a great responsibility to foster a group that has been so lovingly guided by my predecessors, Harold Dioquino and Gordon Roberts.

However, this is a responsibility that I embrace with great enthusiasm and a tremendous commitment to the men who sing and the audiences who hear them.

Thank you for welcoming me to the podium so warmly.

When crafting our holiday program, I worked with our Artistic Planning Team - a volunteer committee of individuals with good programming sensibilities and essential perspectives on the members and our fans. In our planning meetings, we looked at comments from prior years’ surveys, the current social climate, and the evolution of the chorus. This year, we felt that as the world emerges from the pandemic, everyone needs music and an overall program that elevates their spirits and creates beauty, fun, and hope. I hope that for you tonight’s concert hits all these notes. We have worked hard on the concert and consider it to be our holiday gift to you.

I am enthused to have the one and only Deborah Cox as our guest artist at our Hard Rock Live performance. Not only is she an incredibly talented performer, but her commitment to our mission and the LGBTQ+ community is inspiring. She and her manager, Lascelles Stephens, have been incredible to work with, and her rapport with the guys in the Chorus makes her performances all the more magical. You are in for a real treat. We remain so grateful to Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino for welcoming us back once again. They are the quintessential community partner.

This evening is part of both an ending and a beginning. While we still have some distance to go, we anticipate that the long periods of social isolation are concluding. And this evening marks the beginning of a new chapter of growth for the Gay Men’s Chorus of South Florida. All along the way, you, our fans, have stood behind us and supported us. So tonight, I dedicate this concert to you.

Thank you for making this Chorus genuinely great.

GABE SALAZAR, ARTISTIC DIRECTOR NYC native, currently based in South Florida, LENORA JAYE grew up in a household where she was exposed to everything from Jazz, Bebop, Gospel, Motown, Opera, Cabaret and even Broadway show tunes. As a featured vocalist for the funk-rock band Rhythm Republik, she began performing at a host of venerable NYC venues including B.B. King’s, House of Blues, The Blue Note NYC, S.O.B’s, Tramps, The Wetlands, CBGB’s, Ashford & Simpson’s Sugar Bar and many others. A series of session jobs followed, including performances at the St. Lucia Jazzfest as a vocalist for saxophonist

THE GAY MEN’S CHORUS OF SOUTH FLORIDA

GUEST ARTIST DEBORAH COX i s a Grammy-nominated recording artist and a world-renowned talent across the worlds of music, Broadway, television, film, and fashion. With a career spanning more than two decades, Deborah has released six critically-acclaimed career albums including her debut album, Deborah Cox (1995), One Wish (1998), The Morning After (2002), Remixed (2003), Destination Moon (2007), and The Promise (2008). An established songstress, Cox has scaled the R&B and pop charts with six top 20 Billboard magazine R&B singles and thirteen No. 1 hits on Billboard’s Hot Dance Club Play Chart. In addition to her illustrious musical catalog, the Canadian-born star has been recognized and awarded for her undying commitment to various social justice initiatives, including advocacy for LGBTQ2S+ rights, support for those living with HIV/AIDS, and the fight for Human Rights and Equality for all.

In 2020, Deborah was honored with Black Music Honors’ Entertainer Icon Award in recognition of her 25 ground-breaking years in the music industry. In celebration of this milestone, Deborah has been expanding her identity as an artist, actress, creator and was appointed Executive Director for Alpha Magazines, a publication that strives to empower men and women worldwide. She is currently winning rave reviews for her role as Regina on BET’s “First Wives Club” and will be starring in the highly-anticipated HBO MAX series “Station Eleven” debuting in late 2021.

Deborah was recently awarded a prestigious Black Women In Media Award for her contribution to the entertainment industry. Following the success of her hit single “Easy Way”, Deborah also has new music on the way and is working toward the release of her seventh career studio album due early next year.

GUEST SOLOIST Robert Zi Taylor, appearing as a featured artist

currently performing as “Ella” for the South

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Florida Sammy Davis Jr. & Ella Fitzgerald tribute

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LeNora is also one of the lead vocalists with

LeNora has proven to be an in-demand artist on the soul & jazz scene and was recently voted BEST NEW ARTIST 2011 by SoulTracks.com for their Annual Reader’s Choice Music Awards after the release of her critically-acclaimed debut cd THE STORY. In 2016 LeNora once again made

the renown South Florida Motown/Supremes musical tribute group The Ladies of Soul and through South Florida Legends Incorporated she is all 3 of the new 3-act Icons of SOUL tribute show featuring the legendary music of Aretha Franklin, Patti LaBelle & Chaka Khan.

her mark on the music scene with her TransPhatt Records EP release FORCE OF LIFE. LeNora is

THE GAY MEN’S CHORUS OF SOUTH FLORIDA

THE GAY MEN’S CHORUS OF SOUTH FLORIDA

The Gay Men’s Chorus of South Florida (GMCSF) has become one of the region’s largest and most successful community-based choruses, celebrated for outstanding musicianship, creative programming, and community outreach. Each year, GMCSF reaches over 20,000 audience members with its messages of love and inclusion. Our December holiday concerts launch GMCSF’s 12th season of serving the community. With 130 men on its singing roster, GMCSF is the largest gay men’s chorus in the southeastern United States. Please visit gmcsf.org for more information.

Gabe Salazar, Artistic Director & Conductor

Gabe Salazar is an enthusiastic and experienced conductor, tenor, and music educator skilled in fostering the artistic development of musicians from all backgrounds of life. Gabe brings to GMCSF 15 years of professional experience in the choral conducting field and as a performer. Gabe completed his Master of Music degree in Voice at Lee University with further studies at California State University, Fullerton. His professional career has included serving as the Director of Music for United Methodist Church of Thousand Oaks in Thousand Oaks, California; the Director of New Life Singers and a member of the Voice Faculty at Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, AZ; performing as a staff singer for the Chicago Symphony Chorus as well as the Pacific Chorale in Costa Mesa, California; and as Choral Director at the Champs Charter High School of the Arts in Los Angeles and Osceola County School of the Arts in Kissimmee, Florida. During his last position, the choral program doubled in size in one year and won numerous awards at festivals and competitions.

In March 2019, Gabe made his Carnegie Hall conducting debut with his Chamber Singers. The group won a prestigious competition to headline a concert in the world-renowned Isaac Stern Auditorium. Gabe is thrilled to be the new artistic director for GMCSF and looks forward to building the ensemble’s future with the members, volunteers, and staff.

Anthony Cabrera, Assistant Conductor

Anthony Cabrera is the former Artistic Director of the Miami Gay Men’s Chorus,

serving them for 14 years. Under his leadership, the chorus has introduced ground-breaking choral works for men’s voices (Through the Glass Darkly 2010, Alexander’s House 2013, and I Am Harvey Milk 2016), dealing with issues integral to the story and history of the LGBTQ+ community. The chorus also saw the development and expansion of the MGMC South Florida Choral Festival, which, for five years, featured over three hundred singers representing a broad spectrum of communities in South Florida.

Cabrera is the Assistant Director of Music Ministries at Coral Gables Congregational United Church of Christ (UCC), where he is also the Minister of Liturgical Arts.

He is a singer with the Chancel Choir and CGCC’s professional vocal ensemble in residence.

He is the Choral Director at the Young Women’s Preparatory Academy—Miami Dade County Public Schools’ single-gender public preparatory academy for girls. He also teaches Humanities, AP Music Theory, and AP Human Geography and is the school’s Director of Student Activities.

THE GAY MEN’S CHORUS OF SOUTH FLORIDA

FEATURED PERFORMERS

TROPICAL WAVE

Tropical Wave is an outreach ensemble of GMCSF, designed for special service performances and when a venue has limited space for the entire chorus. They are also frequently showcased in our mainstage concerts.

Tropical Wave (Left to Right) Zak Lauer, Tony Corrente, John Lewis, Johann Torres, John Chaffin, Victor Janett, Felix Fidelibus, Paul Guarigilia, Ronnie Jones, Jr., Accompanist-Christopher Toth, Bob Thompson, Doug Cureton, Greg Bennett, Francois Ratzel, Rick Heal, Assistant Conductor-Anthony Cabrera, Chad Edgar, Jonathan Sanz

The GMCSF Dancers Reynaldo Araque Fred Boykin Bert Cohen Chad Edgar Michael Gillespie

Scott Hindley Gregory Johnson David Littlefield Alan McKnight Clayton Paterson

Francois Ratzel Mason Rivera Robert Thompson

The GMCSF Bell Choir Bruce Anderson Shawn Berry John Chafin Doug Cureton

Felix Fidelibus Doug Ferguson David Gray Paul Guariglia

Zak Laux Rick Vaughan

The GMCSF Soloists John Chaffin Doug Cureton Doug Ferguson

Felix Fidelibus Richard Fulks David Gray

Francois Ratzel Kely Van Eaton

THE GAY MEN’S CHORUS OF SOUTH FLORIDA

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DECEMBER 17, 2021 – SUNSHINE CATHEDRAL

ACT I FESTIVAL GLORIA

Traditional Liturgical Text, Music: Craig Courtney Sponsored by Michael, in memory of my dear friend Greg Stanton.

“I miss you and your guidance every day. Safe Journey.”

IT’S THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR Words and Music: Eddie Pola and George Wyle Soloists: Doug Ferguson, Richard Fulks, Kely Van Eaton

Arr: David T. Clydesdale Sponsored by the Bass Section, in honor of Gabe Salazar.

RING THOSE CHRISTMAS BELLS Featuring the GMCSF Handbell Choir

Words: Gus Levine, Music: Marvin Fisher, Arr: Ryan Murphy Sponsored by Matthew Hoover, in loving memory of “Nanna and Papa” Pat and Bob Spear.

ANGELS FROM THE REALMS OF GLORY Words: James Montgomery Music: Henry Smart Accompanists: Edwin Neimann and Kevin Combs Arr: Daniel Forrest Sponsored by Bob Thompson and Michael Jacobsen, in loving memory of Mom, Jody, and Christopher.

“We miss you and think of you every day. Gone but never forgotten.”

RISE UP SHEPHERD AND FOLLOW Traditional Christmas Spiritual, Arr: Ken Berg Ensemble: Tropical Wave; Conductor: Anthony Cabrera Soloist: Francois Ratzel Sponsored by John Lewis, dedicated to Louis Hemmerich, “The most important person in my life”.

THE CHANUKAH SONG (We Are Lights) Conductor: Anthony Cabrera Soloists: Doug Cureton and Felix Fidelibus AFRICAN NOEL

Words: Steve YoungMusic: Stephen Schwartz, Arr: Mac Huff Sponsored by David Burba and Larry Small Liberian Folk Song, Arr: Andre J. Thomas Sponsored by the Tenor II Section

VARIATIONS ON “JINGLE BELLS” Words and Music: John Pierpoint, Arr: Mark Hayes Soloist: Rodney Bolton Sponsored by the GMCSF Leadership Team, in honor of our new director, Gabe Salazar. “Thank you for your passion and dedication to GMCSF.”

ACT II HARK THE HERALD ANGELS SING Accompanists: Edwin Neimann and Kevin Combs

Words: Charles Wesley, Music: Felix Mendelssohn Arr: Daniel Forrest Sponsored by Baritone Section.

I SAW DADDY KISSING SANTA CLAUS

Words and Music: Tommie Connor, Parody Words/Arr: Steve Milloy Sponsored by Fred Boykin.

“To the men and women of GMCSF – after two years, we are back on stage! Love you all!”

DO YOU HEAR WHAT I HEAR? Words and Music: Noel Regney and Gloria Shayne Soloists: John Chaffin and David Gray Sponsored by Ray Willey.

“This song is dedicated to those less fortunate. Open your hearts this holiday season.”

ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS IS YOU Words and Music: Mariah Carey and Walter Afanasieff Special Guest Artist, LeNora Jaye Arr: Steve Milloy Sponsored by Sean Guerrier, in memory of his mother, Mrs. Patricia Haynes-Yorke.

“We love you with all our hearts and feel that Christmas would not be complete without your rendition of this legendary song!”

THIS CHRISTMAS

Words and Music: Donny Hathaway and Nadine McKinnor Arr: Paul Langford Ensemble: Tropical Wave; Conductor: Anthony Cabrera Sponsored by Tropical Wave

AND SUDDENLY Special Guest Artist, LeNora Jaye Organist, Kevin Comb

THE GAY MEN’S CHORUS OF SOUTH FLORIDA

Words and Music: Michael Engelhardt Sponsored by the Tenor I Section

DECEMBER 19, 2021 - HARD ROCK LIVE

ACT I FESTIVAL GLORIA

Traditional Liturgical Text, Music: Craig Courtney Sponsored by Michael, in memory of my dear friend Greg Stanton.

“I miss you and your guidance every day. Safe Journey.”

IT’S THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR Words and Music: Eddie Pola and George Wyle Soloists: Doug Ferguson, Richard Fulks, Kely Van Eaton

Arr: David T. Clydesdale Sponsored by the Bass Section, in honor of Gabe Salazar.

RING THOSE CHRISTMAS BELLS Featuring the GMCSF Handbell Choir

Words: Gus Levine, Music: Marvin Fisher, Arr: Ryan Murphy Sponsored by Matthew Hoover, in loving memory of “Nanna and Papa” Pat and Bob Spear .

Words and Music: Montell Jordan and Anthony “Shep” Crawford

NOBODY’S SUPPOSED TO BE HERE Special Guest Artist: Deborah Cox

ANGELS FROM THE REALMS OF GLORY Words: James Montgomery Music: Henry Smart Accompanists: Edwin Neimann and Kevin Combs Arr: Daniel Forrest Sponsored by Bob Thompson and Michael Jacobsen, in loving memory of Mom, Jody, and Christopher.

“We miss you and think of you every day. Gone but never forgotten.”

RISE UP SHEPHERD AND FOLLOW Ensemble: Tropical Wave; Conductor: Anthony Cabrera Soloist: Francois Ratzel

THE CHANUKAH SONG (We Are Lights) Conductor: Anthony Cabrera Soloists: Doug Cureton and Felix Fidelibus AFRICAN NOEL

Traditional Christmas Spiritual, Arr: Ken Berg Sponsored by John Lewis, dedicated to Louis Hemmerich, “The most important person in my life”.

Words: Steve Young, Music: Stephen Schwartz, Arr: Mac Huff Sponsored by David Burba and Larry Small Liberian Folk Song, Arr: Andre J. Thomas Sponsored by the Tenor II Section

VARIATIONS ON “JINGLE BELLS” Words and Music: John Pierpoint, Arr: Mark Hayes Soloist: Rodney Bolton Sponsored by the GMCSF Leadership Team, in honor of our new director, Gabe Salazar. “Thank you for your passion and dedication to GMCSF.”

ACT II HARK THE HERALD ANGELS SING Accompanists: Edwin Neimann and Kevin Combs I REALLY DON’T WANT MUCH FOR CHRISTMAS Special Guest Artist: Deborah Cox

Words: Charles Wesley, Music: Felix Mendelssohn Arr: Daniel Forrest Sponsored by Baritone Section Words and Music: Richard Rudolph and Jeremy Lubbock

I SAW DADDY KISSING SANTA CLAUS

Words and Music: Tommie Connor, Parody Words/Arr: Steve Milloy Sponsored by Fred Boykin.

“To the men and women of GMCSF – after two years, we are back on stage! Love you all!

DO YOU HEAR WHAT I HEAR? Words and Music: Noel Regney and Gloria Shayne Soloists: John Chaffin and David Gray Sponsored by Ray Willey.

“This song is dedicated to those less fortunate. Open your hearts this holiday season.”

ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS IS YOU Words and Music: Mariah Carey and Walter Afanasieff Special Guest Artist: Deborah Cox Arr: Steve Milloy Sponsored by Sean Guerrier, in memory of his mother, Mrs. Patricia Haynes-Yorke.

“We love you with all our hearts and feel that Christmas would not be complete without your rendition of this legendary song!

THIS CHRISTMAS Words and Music: Donny Hathaway and Nadine McKinnor Ensemble: Tropical Wave; Conductor: Anthony Cabrera Arr: Paul Langford

Sponsored by Tropical Wave

AND SUDDENLY Special Guest Artist: Deborah Cox Organist, Kevin Combs

Words and Music: Michael Engelhardt Sponsored by the Tenor I Section

THE GAY MEN’S CHORUS OF SOUTH FLORIDA

PROGRAM NOTES

ACT ONE FESTIVAL GLORIA

Traditional Liturgical Text Music: Craig Courtney The Gloria, or Angelic Hymn, recounted in the narrative of the birth of Jesus in the Gospel of Luke, is also a key liturgical text in the Roman Catholic Mass. It is also the inspiration for a vast number of composers over the centuries, including such giants as Vivaldi, Bach, and Mozart. Some wrote music for Gloria as a stand-alone composition, and others like a more significant movement in a setting of the Mass.

Gloria’s male choral arrangements have appeared in many of GMCSF’s holiday concerts since the chorus’ inaugural performance in 2010, including works by Randal Boss, John Rutter, Jeffrey Ames, and Mark Hayes. While quoting only the first few phrases of the complete hymn, Craig Courtney’s Festival Gloria sometimes wraps the audience in layers of sweet, lilting melodies and at other times jolts the ear with brilliant, brassy, dissonant tonal clusters. Following three years as a performer and vocal coach in Europe, Courtney joined the music faculty of the famed Mozarteum in Salzburg, Austria. During this period in the mid-1980s, while serving in the music ministry of the Salzburg International Baptist Church, he began directing a church choir and composing sacred choral music.

IT’S THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR Words and Music: Eddie Pola and George Wyle Arr: David T. Clydesdale

Pop singer Andy Williams started the tradition of bringing his family members to the Christmas broadcast of his popular weekly variety show in 1963. Partnering with Eddie Pola, George Wyle, vocal director for the show, wrote Most Wonderful Time of the Year to mark this family gathering that season. The broadcast was well-received, and it became one of the signature songs for the show and the Andy Williams Holiday Specials, which continued even after his variety show ended in 1971. It eventually climbed to #5 position in Billboard’s ranking of favorite Holiday songs in 2009.

RING THOSE CHRISTMAS BELLS Words: Gus Levine Music: Marvin Fisher Arr: Ryan Murphy

Gus Levene and Marvin Fisher’s Ring Those Christmas Bells was published by Fred Waring’s Shawnee Press in 1952 and first recorded on the Decca label by Peggy Lee on the flip side of her single It’s Christmas Time Again. Six years later, Fred Waring’s choral group, The Pennsylvanians, recorded it as the opening song to their classic album The Sounds of Christmas. And it has been included in over 100 Christmas albums since.

THE GAY MEN’S CHORUS OF SOUTH FLORIDA

BY GMCSF CHORUS MEMBER JIM LOPRESTI

ANGELS FROM THE REALMS OF GLORY Words: James Montgomery Music: Henry Smart Arr: Daniel Forrest

With over 400 hymn texts attributed to him, James Montgomery is considered by many scholars of hymnody the equal of church music giants Isaac Watts (Joy To The World, et al.) and Charles Wesley (Hark The Herald Angels Sing, et al.).

Montgomery occasionally found himself in trouble with the law, a prolific poet with strong religious sentiments and a notably independent mind. He supported the oppressed in ways then considered unpalatable, and he called out against slavery in the early 19th century as editor of South Yorkshire’s The Sheffield Iris. Expressing his views took him to prison more than once. Angels From the Realms of Glory was his most celebrated hymn. The text is set to various melodies in the UK and beyond.

Mid-19th century London organist and composer Henry Smart wrote the most familiar tune to us in the US. Titled Regents Square because of its affiliation with a church in that section of London, one of the very few compositions by Smart heard in our day. And various other hymns in the Anglican tradition are sung to this melody.

Interestingly, in the UK, Montgomery’s hymn is more often sung to the melody we associate with Hark, The Herald Angels Sing. And at tonight’s performance, we will hear both hymns in stunningly beautiful arrangements by Dan Forrest.

RISE UP SHEPHERD AND FOLLOW Traditional Christmas Spiritual Arr: Ken Berg

There are relatively few Spirituals devoted to Christmas. However, early 20th-century civil rights activist and poet James Weldon Johnson authored Lift Every Voice and Sing. He has written that enslaved Africans found inspiration thinking of Jesus in His Easter identity as a powerful king in songs like Ride On, King Jesus. That fit better with their hope of liberation. Correspondingly, they were less inclined to focus on a vulnerable infant and unmoved by the not altogether altruistic Christmas season “benevolence” of the slave masters. The first known publication of Rise Up, Shepherd, and Follow was in an 1891 short story titled Christmas-Gifts in Lippincott’s Monthly.” A musical score was disseminated in a 1909 songbook titled Religious Folksongs of the Negro as Sung on the Plantations, subtitled Christmas Plantation Song. It is not clear how many other versions of the song predated that publication. Ken Berg, Music Director and Resident Composer of Alabama’s Birmingham Boys Choir, first arranged the spiritual for choral performance for the group’s annual Christmas performance in 2018.

THE GAY MEN’S CHORUS OF SOUTH FLORIDA

PROGRAM NOTES

THE CHANUKAH SONG (We Are Lights) Words: Steve Young Music: Stephen Schwartz Arr: Mac Huff

The Chanukah Song is an exciting collaboration between Stephen Schwartz, one of America’s most successful composer/lyricists in musical theatre (from Godspell to Wicked), and Steve Young, a notably iconoclastic singer-songwriter who rejected Nashville’s emphasis on slick production. Instead, he took a leaner and more reflective approach in his writing, possibly influenced by his adherence to Buddhist teachings.

Schwartz also has a professional history of social commentary. When Leonard Bernstein was working on his 1970’s massive theater piece, Mass, he called on Schwartz, then a musical theater newcomer, to assist in adding text that highlighted the tumultuous crosscurrents in the social struggles of the day. What does all that have to do with Chanukah? Plenty. The annual festival commemorates the brief eight-day restoration of the Temple during a great struggle against Greek rule over Israel. This holiday is also called the Festival of Lights. That term relates literally to lighting an additional candle each of the eight days on these darkest nights of the year. Metaphorically, the Festival of Lights emphasizes a commitment to “tzedakah,” or acts of charity. Based on Chapter 25 of the Book of Leviticus, rabbis have deemed charity not merely as kindly behavior but also as an ethical demand. Specific Jewish communities highlight the parallel concept of “Tikkun Olam” during the holiday.

Another symbolic reference to light overcoming the darkness, this latter Hebrew term roughly translates to “repair of the world.” It brings the recognition that it is our responsibility to partner with God to improve the world. It is a clear appeal to work for social justice. Given their experiences of shining light on social concerns and the song’s interpretive sub-title, We Are Lights; it is not hard to imagine both the social and commemorative significance that motivated the partnership between Schwartz and Young.

AFRICAN NOEL

Liberian Folk Song Arr: Andre J. Thomas Christian missionaries brought Christmas music to Liberia, a small sub-Saharan nation formed in the mid-19th century by former American slaves who resettled there. Making the music uniquely their own, the new nation’s people combined the imported messages and melodies with characteristic African polyrhythmic figures in a “call and answer” singing format and phrase repetition. African Noel arranger André J. Thomas, Professor of Choral Music Education at Florida State University, has dedicated much of his research and teaching on the long history of African music traditions and their connections to American Spirituals. His textbook, Way Over in Beulah Lan’: Understanding and Performing the Negro Spiritual, is a principal source for studying this noble musical tradition. In 2011, the African Diaspora Sacred Music Program at California State University honored Dr. Thomas as a Living Legend.

THE GAY MEN’S CHORUS OF SOUTH FLORIDA

BY GMCSF CHORUS MEMBER JIM LOPRESTI

VARIATIONS ON “JINGLE BELLS” Words and Music: John Pierpoint Arr: Mark Hayes

Weaving melodic themes into a series of variations that showcase the tune in various musical forms has been around since the 16th century. The giants of Western music, including Mozart and Beethoven, were masters of the craft of theme and variation.

Mark Hayes brings a modern, comic twist to this musical form in his set of variations on this iconic 20th-century tune by John Pierpoint. Do you like driving dance rhythms?

You’ve got it. Like smooth, silky jazz? There is some of that in this too. How about waltzes? Or Broadway? Or even operatic coloratura? Yes, there is some of each in this piece, but always with a twist or two. GMCSF has performed various works by Mark Hayes over the years, including his Gloria, which was arranged for GMCSF by the composer, and Light of a Million Mornings, co-written with Mark Gersmeh for a GMCSF’s 2014 Holiday Concert. In March 2014, GMCSF performed the world premiere of Hayes’ Music Makes Me Feel. It was GMCSF’s first commissioned piece, composed to celebrate the chorus’ 5th anniversary.

ACT TWO HARK THE HERALD ANGELS SING Words: Charles Wesley Music: Felix Mendelssohn Arr: Daniel Forrest

This beloved Christmas Carol was written by Charles Wesley, brother of John Wesley, founder of the Methodist church, in 1739. A somber man, he requested slow and solemn music for his lyrics, and thus, Hark The Herald Angels Sing is initially sung to a tune quite different from what we hear in our day. Over a hundred years later, Felix Mendelssohn composed a cantata to commemorate Johann Gutenberg’s invention of the printing press. English musician William H. Cummings adapted Mendelssohn’s music to fit Wesley’s lyrics. However, arranger Dan Forrest’s choice of a 12/8 “galloping” rhythm driving Mendelssohn’s tune gives it a fresh celebratory urgency and dramatic appeal far from what Wesley would have had in mind.

I SAW DADDY KISSING SANTA CLAUS Words and Music: Tommie Connor Parody Words/Arr: Steve Milloy

British composer/lyricist Tommie Connor’s I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus featured 13-year-old Jimmy Boyd in July 1952. Shortly after the yuletide kiss-andtell was released that Holiday season, the song was No. 1 on the Billboard charts.

Tens of millions of copies of the much-covered music followed over the years. Dig deep enough, however, and you will find a bit of a cottage industry of spoofs on the THE GAY MEN’S CHORUS OF SOUTH FLORIDA

PROGRAM NOTES song, most of which could not resist the temptation to transform the British child’s innocent wondering about Daddy’s reaction into something a bit more “cheeky.” In 1984, Spike Jones dared to publish the first known naughty version with the child viewing a far more direct liaison between Jolly Old St. Nick and mom. Punk band The Dollyrots’ take on the lyrics had Mommy “biting” Santa Claus. An extended version sung for an SNL skit in 2019 by Cecily Strong showed Daddy rather enjoying the sight, and you can guess where it went from there. It had to happen: Eventually, Santa was outed! RuPaul recorded his own alternate lyrics version of I Saw Daddy Kissing Santa Claus in a YouTube video initially released in December 2018.

DO YOU HEAR WHAT I HEAR?

Words and Music: Noel Regney and Gloria Shayne In October 1962, a time of increasing anxiety over the Cuban missile crisis, the singer-songwriter couple Gloria Shayne and Noel Regney wrote Do You Hear What I Hear. Regney had earlier been invited to compose a Christmas song by a recording company but was hesitant to take on the task, given his disdain for the rampant commercialism of the season. Then, inspired by watching couples pushing baby carriages in Central Park that autumn, the team realized they had something important to convey in a piece written for the Holiday. Conflating the announcement of the Angels to the Shepherds in the nativity story, the song starts from the message spoken by “the night wind to a “little lamb.” The piece climaxes in the message of “the mighty king,” a reference to one of the majestic visitors from the East, who strongly exhorted: “Pray for peace, people everywhere.”

ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS IS YOU

Words and Music: Mariah Carey and Walter Afanasieff Arr: Steve Milloy Mariah Carey is well known for her infectious delight in all things Christmas. In a 2016 feature article, People Magazine listed “10 Reasons Why Mariah Carey Is— and Always Will Be—the Queen of Christmas.” And All I Want for Christmas Is You, composed in 1994, is one of only two Holiday recordings to reach Billboard’s number one spot over 60+ years of rankings in its weekly “Hot 100” list. However, it took her 25 years to accomplish that feat. It wasn’t until 2019 that the song finally reached that #1 high water mark set in 1958 by, of all “people,” The Chipmunks. David Seville’s “The Chipmunk Song” ruled the Holiday airwaves ruled for four weeks in 1958-59.

THIS CHRISTMAS

Words and Music: Donny Hathaway and Nadine McKinnor Arr: Paul Langford Chicago native Phil Upchurch is arguably one of the most high-profile funky, blues-steeped jazz artists in American popular music. In the 2014 edition of All Music, the world’s most comprehensive database of popular music, Upchurch penned the opinion that Donny Hathaway’s 1970 song This Christmas was THE GAY MEN’S CHORUS OF SOUTH FLORIDA

BY GMCSF CHORUS MEMBER JIM LOPRESTI “absolutely the premiere holiday song written by an African-American.” In a 2009 interview with the Chicago Sun-Times, Ric Powell, Hathaway’s percussionist in the original recording, said: “Donny knew what he wanted to do musically and the impact he wanted to make with this song. Up until then, African American music wasn’t [well] represented in Christmas. There was Nat King Cole and Charles Brown’s I’ll Be Home for Christmas’ During the mid-1960s, James Brown was also cutting holiday tracks like Santa Claus Go Straight to the Ghetto, but they were more in the selfcontained funky spirit of the Godfather of Soul than Christmas.”

AND SUDDENLY

Words and Music: Michael Engelhardt Michael Engelhardt explains his style of composing as an “ancient/future” approach.

He uses “ancient source material such as chants, hymns, and languages, to construct contemporary-sounding versions that also exhibit a high standard of compositional craftsmanship and scholarship.” In addition, he reaches into his pop music toolkit “to incorporate elements of groove, electronic programming, and industrial percussion.”

His jazz and classical vocal music training and his frequent engagement with Gospel choirs have often led to soul-stirring compositions. And Suddenly is one of his best-known “ancient/future” products. Like many other selections in this evening’s performance, he gives musical expression to the angelic announcements of the nativity of Jesus in the Gospel of Luke, this time with the infectious energy and uplifting power of Gospel music. However, Engelhardt’s most colorful contribution to the world of music is his founding of the “Beer Choir” movement. He intended to “create a style of participatory music that promotes personal wellness and social harmony” Beer Choir chapters across the country exist to encourage group singing “just for fun.” In contrast, they promote both communal gatherings and craft breweries at the same time. The Beer Choir even has its own “hymnal.” Now that gives “doing Church” a whole new meaning!

NOBODY’S SUPPOSED TO BE HERE

Words and Music: Montell Jordan and Shep Crawford [Hard Rock Live performance only] In 1998, Larry Flick wrote a glowing review in Billboard about the newly released Nobody’s Supposed to Be Here. “In its original form, the song positions Cox as the diva she deserves to be, as she whips through the old-school soul song with immeasurable growth and confidence,” said Flick. The high-octane remix of the song by Hex Hector soon filled up dance clubs across the land, powering it to a record-setting 14 week stay at #1 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. Quickly, gay men everywhere danced to its beat while relishing its message until the song took up permanent residence in the gay soul. No wonder it found its way to epic lipsync battles on RuPaul’s Drag Race. In an interview with Billboard’s Nolan Feeney, Deborah spoke of the impact of that unique Gay imprimatur: “Everybody was texting me, hitting me up on Instagram and Facebook:’ Your song was on RuPaul’s Drag Race!’” When I saw the episode, I just hollered like,’ Wow!’ Most of the drag queens that I’ve heard from would say that was their song—they would win competitions THE GAY MEN’S CHORUS OF SOUTH FLORIDA

PROGRAM NOTES with it. It gave birth to their alter egos. It was a perfect choice. I never, never, never get tired of it. The song will always be alive to me.”

I REALLY DON’T WANT MUCH FOR CHRISTMAS Words and Music: Jeremy Lubbock and Richard Rudolph [Hard Rock Live performance only]

I Really Don’t Want Much for Christmas was first recorded in 2006 on trumpeter Chris Botti’s Holiday album, December, with Eric Benet as vocal soloist. There is no focus on Rudolph, Santa, or the presents under the tree. Despite the song title, its most impactful statements are about wishes for the season on a far grander scale.

Given her deep commitment to inclusivity and championing the best of humanity’s instincts, it is easy to understand why Deborah Cox would choose to cover this song for the Holidays. Members and allies of the LGBTQ+ community have frequently honored her. That is not just because of her amazing contribution to our musical repertoire. It is even more for witnessing the wishes she sings about tonight: “I don’t want much for Christmas. You could lose hate. And I’d be blissful. Make all the madness disappear. That’s it for what I wish. I really don’t want much this year but love.

We have waited a long time to be together with you. Social distancing may have been needed to survive, but to thrive—to be fully human—we need something way more than that. We lose touch with our human core when we cannot be together.

And we discover that we can be far more than the sum of our parts when we are together. Understand this: These men on stage are not just singers. We are brothers. Know this as well: We brothers are not all the same. Yet no matter our differences – young or old, black or white, gay or straight—we are but one voice when we sing. After all, isn’t that what it means to be a chorus? There is still something more: We are not just any chorus; we are your chorus. What more potent a reminder can there be about all that than performing here with you tonight? Who are we? You and us? We are one voice, one community, one awesome power. We are no less than song strong together.

Jim Lopresti, Author Chorus Bass Member.

SINGING TONIGHT

Bruce Anderson Reynaldo Araque

David Baier

Derek Barbara

Gregg Bennett

Shawn Berry

Rodney Bolton

Fred Boykin

John Burch

Craig Celek

John Chaffin

Bert Cohen

Kevin Combs

Antonio Corrente

Alex Crotts

Doug Cureton

Guy D’Arcangelo

Jerry Day

Chad Edgar

Doug Ferguson

Richard Ferguson

Frank Ferri

James Ficke

Felix Fidelibus

Joseph Fletcher

THE GAY MEN’S CHORUS OF SOUTH FLORIDA

SINGING TONIGHT

Michael Foley

Steven Freeman

Richard Fulks

Walt Gardner

Michael Gillespie

David Gray

Paul Guariglia

Aziz Gurbanov

Rick Heal

Scott Hindley

Craig Hinman

Terry Hirsh

Dean Hitsos

Matthew Hoover

Shawn Hysell

Michael Jacobsen

Victor Jannett

Gregory Johnson

Ronnie Jones

Peter Konrath

Aaron Laurer

Zac Laux

John Lewis

David R. Littlefield

A. Ray Lockley

THE GAY MEN’S CHORUS OF SOUTH FLORIDA

SINGING TONIGHT

Jim Lopresti

Daniel Marques

Mark Mattson

Alan J. McKnight

Mel Melendez

Rodrick Minnis

Terry Moore

Hall Noble

Orlando Ojeda

Jorge Ornelas, Jr.

Nick Orr

Alan Parshley

Steven Patterson

David Pfeffer

Eduardo Pinto

François Ratzel

Mason Rivera

Jonathan Sanz

Steven Shapiro

Charlie Siegel

Brent Simmons

Donald Small

Larry Small

Robert Smith

Bill Spinosa

THE GAY MEN’S CHORUS OF SOUTH FLORIDA

SINGING TONIGHT

Dennis St. Jean

William Tedjo

Bob Thompson

Don Thompson

Don Tomasello

Johann Torres

Michael Valdez

David Van Cleaf

Kely Van Eaton

Rick Vaughan

Ray Willey

Aubrey Williams

Tim Yarbrough

Rob Young

Eric Ziegler

Singing, But Not Pictured Alvaro Bucheli Sean Guerrier David Hopper Clayton Paterson

THE GAY MEN’S CHORUS OF SOUTH FLORIDA

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Happy Holidays

A MESSAGE FROM OUR PRESIDENT OF GMCSF Welcome to the Gay Men’s Chorus of South Florida’s 12th Annual Holiday Concert! We are thrilled to have you here for our first live concert performance in almost two years. Although the pandemic tried to shut us down, we all persevered, and tonight we are here to present our holiday extravaganza!

GMCSF, like you, was hugely impacted by the pandemic. We canceled our last two concerts in Season 10, but our leadership team, board of directors, and singers found ways to use technology to stay connected. For Season 11, we got creative since we were determined to keep singing. We had online rehearsals and found ways to record performances safely outside or in the comfort of our own homes.

Because of the dedication of our members, we were able to present an entire season to our audience by online streaming concerts and even drive-up video concerts reminiscent of the old drive-in theater! One leader in the leading LGBTQ+ choral organization labeled one of our shows his favorite of all concerts! As we begin Season 12, the most significant change you will notice is introducing our third Artistic Director, Gabe Salazar. Gabe has inspired all of us with his unique style and his artistic vision. He has taken the gorgeous sound of GMCSF and added his unique style. We are so proud to share with you his passion and spirit in the program he has created this evening.

Thank you to all of you in our audience who have supported us with your kind words, attendance at our online events, and your continued donations for the last two years. Your support has made our return to the main stage possible; we thank you from the bottom of our hearts!

Tonight’s concert is a time for celebration, inspiration, and dedication. So please sit back and enjoy the sounds of the men of GMCSF as we present our Season 12 Holiday concert!

Fred Boykin

GMCSF President

Baratone section sponsored by Lee Sider in loving memory of Greg Stanton

GMCSF LEADERSHIP

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

STAFF

Rick Vaughan

Mimi Pink

Michael Foley

Bill Elliott

Mark Kent

Board Chair

Board Vice Chair

Treasurer

Secretary

Executive Director

Fred Boykin

Larry Small

Ronni Arden

Adam Barber

Edward Otto Zielke

Chorus President

Chorus Representative

Director

Director

Director of Marketing & Sponsorship

Bill Spinosa

Josel Suarez

Kerry Waldee

Bobby Wang

Doug Lieb

Director

Director

Director

Director

Office Manager

CHORUS LEADERSHIP TEAM

Fred Boykin, Chorus President; Tony Corrente, Chorus Vice President; Michael Foley, Treasurer; Jonathan Sanz, Secretary; Bill Spinosa, VP of Membership; Bob Thompson, VP of Community Relations; John Lewis, VP of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion; Doug Ferguson, Tenor 1 Section Administrator; Rick Heal, Tenor 2 Section Administrator; Joe Fletcher, Baritone Section Administrator; Aubrey Williams, Bass Section Administrator

HONORARY ADVISORY COUNCIL Council Chair: Harvey Shaprio, Louis Benvento, Don Croxton, Mike Dager, Dino Georgiou, Gary Hoffman, Gerry Kennedy, George King, John Olson, Joe Pallant, Doug Pew, Rick Vaughan

THE GAY MEN’S CHORUS OF SOUTH FLORIDA

OUR ORGANIZATION CHORUS MEMBERS Tenor I

Reynaldo Araque Derek Barbara Rodney Bolton Fred Boykin Joe Cannon Tony Corrente Alex Crotts Chad Edgar Doug Ferguson Michael Gillespie Matthew Hoover David Hopper Mel Melendez Nick Orr Justin Perry Brian Prenda Jonathan Sanz Daniel St Germaine Ansel Thompson

Tenor II

Bruce Anderson Alvaro Buchelli Bert Cohen Kevin Combs Doug Cureton Walter Gardner Scott Guffey Aziz Gurbanov Scott Hall Rick Heal Peter Konrath Wayne Laubscher Aaron Lauer A Ray Lockley Daniel Marques Anthony Jay Mulloso Harold Noble Miguelanjel O’Dell Perez Jorge Ornelas, Jr. Anthony Orville Parjan Alan Pashley David Pfeffer Eduardo Pinto Francois Ratzel Ramon Ramirez Mason Rivera Brent Simmons Robert Smith Dennis St. Jean William Tedjo Don Thompson Johann Torres Phil Walker Jason Weston Ray Willey

Baritone*

Bob Artale David Baier Shawn Berry

Tom Burakowski JohnCatenaci Craig Celek John Chaffin Christopher Chouinard Guy D’Arcangelo Frank Ferri Joseph Fletcher Michael Foley Cary Giacalone David Gray Paul Guariglia Sean Guerrier Craig Hinman Dean Hitsos Shawn Hysell Michael Jacobsen Gregory Johnson Ronnie Jones Jr. Stephen Kaplan Zak Laux David Lawrence John Lewis David R. Littlefield James Mallon Mark Mattson Donald Mills Terry Moore Orlando Ojeda Charles Robinson Fred Schneeberg Steven Shapiro Larry Small Bill Spinosa David Van Cleaf Kely Van Eaton Rick Vaughan Eric Ziegler

Bass

Gregg Bennett Rex Beyer John Burch Roubik Danelian Jerry Day Richard Ferguson James Ficke Felix Fidelibus Steven Freeman Richard Fulks Scott Hindley Terry Hirsh Victor Jannett Bradley Johnson Jim Lopresti Tom Malone Alan McKnight Thomas Michalak Rodrick Minnis Terry Moore Clayton Paterson Steven Patterson Jason Pitt Harold Rodriguez

THE GAY MEN’S CHORUS OF SOUTH FLORIDA

Charlie Siegel Donald Small Kewan Smith Robert Thompson Don Tomasello Michael Valdez Charlie Walter Aubrey Willams Tim Yarbrough Rob Young Non-singing Members Philip Morris James Smith Umberto Vettri In Memoriam: Anthony Alacca Bob Blount George Brown Johnny Butler Gary Corbitt Greg Futchi Ronald Hess John Hohl Ray King Al LaMorges Karl Lütgens John Murrow Patrick Ott Skip (George) Panse Dave Quackenbush Steve Ratzel Brian Ricci Bob Rose Elvin Ruiz Pat Seddon Gregory Stanton

OUR ORGANIZATION ARTISTIC TEAM

CHORUS STAFF

Artistic Director: Gabe Salazar Assistant Conductor: Anthony Cabrera Principal Accompanist: Edwin Newmann Accompanists: Kevin Combs Chris Toth Production Director: James Smith Choreographer: Scott Hindley

Executive Director: Mark B. Kent Director of Marketing & Sponsorship: Edward Otto Zielke Office Manager/Book Keeper: Doug Lieb Office Volunteer: Howard Yopp Steve Oden Valerie Jacques Usher Program Coordinator: Kris Jarmann Chorus Photographer: Ginny Dixon

CHORUS LEADERSHIP TEAM President: Fred Boykin Vice President: Tony Corrente Secretary: Jonathan Sanz Treasurer: Michael Foley Vice President Membership: Bill Spinosa Vice President of Community Relations: Bob Thompson Vice President of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion: John Lewis Tenor One Administrator: Doug Ferguson Tenor Two Administrator: Rick Heal Baritone Administrator: Joe Fletcher Bass Administrator: Aubrey Williams

THE GAY MEN’S CHORUS OF SOUTH FLORIDA

DONORS & SPONSORS (as of November 16, 2021) MAESTRO ($20,000 Pluts) Douglas Pew & Donald Croxton COMPOSER ($10,000 to $19,999) Richard Vaughan & Walter Sherman Fred Boykin & Jack Killen Kerry Waldee & Joseph Fletcher Paul Rolli & Bennett Quade Richard & Emillio Quadracci Cabrera/ The Windhover Foundation DIVAS ($5,000 to $9,999) William Elliott & David Bacher Gerald O. Kennedy & Paul Smith Mark B. Kent & Kevin A. Daft PRODUCER ($2,500 to $4,999) Donald Tomasello & Robert Pagano Anonymous Harvey Shapiro & Mike Dager Mimi C. Pink James Mallon Steve Oden & Michael Greer Christopher Chouinard & Harold Rodriguez Zhenlei Wang Dan Chadburn & Tom Nichols Marcia Hayes & Dan Prigmore Tyler F. Healis Lee Sider & Greg Stanton (in loving memory) DIRECTOR ($1,500 to $2,499) Dennis St. Jean John Klomp & Joe Brannen K. David Weidner & William E. Gannon, Jr., M.D. Ronni & Jonathan Arden Chris Ambs & Scott Clearwater Adam Barber & Bryan Yarchan John Bowles Glen Jack & Michael Zefran Raymond Willey Matthew Kent & Brenda Moons Brock Boyd Ron J. MacDonald Harold Dioquino & Martin Childers Peter Steinman & Todd Geringswald William V. Spinosa & Frank Molano

STAKEHOLDERS ($1,000 to $1,499) Frank Ferri & Tony Caparco Larry Small & David Burba Michael Valdez & Jeffrey Thomas Scott Bennett Steven Begert-Clark & Tom Begert-Clark Steven F. Lutz Antonio Corrente & Douglas K. Leib Robert Beaulieu & Andrew E. Pereira Gregg Kurek Rudy Molinet & Jeffrey Scott Shearer Kenneth I. Flick & D.C. Allen Gabe Salazar Josel Suarez & Steven Piper BENEFACTOR ($500—$999) David Jobin & Angel Burgos Philip Cordell George Kling Amina Perunko Judy Paul John Chaffin Eric Ziegler & Ross Kemp Ginny Dixon & Gisella Oliveira Lisa Morris & Marty Ourand B J Albright & Philip Morris Michael Foley & Tommy Zhang Rex Beyer & Nick Meyer Alex Volckhausen & James Darrah Bruce Anderson Marc Grossman Jeffery Lammers & James McLaughlin Janis Light Marissa H. & Raymundo Sibucao Stephen Smith David Stubbins PATRON ($250 to $499) Joseph Cannon Michael Mendillo George Burgan Ralph Stivali John Lee & Tim Flenner Donald Oravec & James G. Harper Bryon Bowlby & Robert Baldwin David Gray Peter Grossman & Lawrence W. Timmins Greg Kubiak Herbert Bachmann & James Eberle Cary Giacalone & Kris Jarmann Michael Gillespie & Tom Gutman

THE GAY MEN’S CHORUS OF SOUTH FLORIDA

DONORS & SPONSORS Melanie Merriman Robert Young Bill Bechman & Tom Garlock Edward Breeden Dana Barber Jack Gerard Mark Kight & Robert Morrow Howard Kurzweil N. Kyrus Frank Plateroti Paul Ward SUPPORTER ($100 to $249) Douglas Carl & Sumner Riddick Terry Hirsh Peter Flyzik & William Beck Joyce Castro Michael Ekman Anjulie Greenman Valerie Jaques Thomas Lenihan James Lopresti Jack Stein & Carla Buonanno-Stein Howard Yopp Teresa Thompson Sally Beach Nicholas Longo & Linda Wiktorski Derek Warner Anthony Molluso & Bill Volbrecht Jorge Ornelas, Jr. Robert Lindsay Douglas George & Ray Wieder David Harvey Paul F. Skowronski & Kenneth J. Arruda Clayton Patterson Irwin Rosen Fred Schieferstein & Kenneth A. Shanahan Greg Tefft & Ed Stehle Brad Johnson & Wayne Laubscher Magdalene Gribble Charles Bell Richard Ducham & Guy Martinez Craig Eicher & William Mesis Dannielle Vizzini Frank Alvarez Kevin Knowles Kenny Russell Stephen Ferrante Charles Beavin Tina & Larry Caines Daniel Copher

Philip Cross & Preston Watkins Doug Cureton Jerry Day Lance Fein Douglas Ferguson Richard Fulks Kevin Graver Peggy Gregorovic Bobby Hall Scott Hall Terry Hardacre Doris Herrera-Pol Richard Huitema Daniel Jordan Marcie & Christopher Kent Christopher M. Kron Diane & Gary Kurek Ronald Lett Erwin Mayer Betsy Melamed Thomas Michalak Volkmar Neeb & Herbert Hohmann Evan Nelson Karl Owens Steven Patterson Harrison Pierson David Poole Michael Ross Richard Sanders Laurie Schecter Constance St. Jean Rob Strusinski Delores Sullivan FRIEND ($1 to $99) Amazon Smile Foundation Kevin Kane & Keith A. Smith Constantine Georgiou Robert Smith Barbara Cerato Pamela Landi Gerry Vergason & Tom Hadley Scott Barnes Bill Bevers Tom Burakowski William Stauffer Daniel Cotlowitz Daniel Elder David Fry Virginia Gascoigne Mark Goldstein Bruce Gottsch

THE GAY MEN’S CHORUS OF SOUTH FLORIDA

DONORS & SPONSORS Chuck Greer Patrick Harris Dwight Joyner Robert Lee John Lewis & Louis Hemmerich Kevin Mahoney Vivian McElveen Thaddeus Nifong (of loving memory) Jerome Overton John Patrick Paul Petrella Blanca Puerta Robyn Riccardo Sharon Rudy David Saylor Jeffrey Tenen Lindsey & Kyle Urry (in loving memory of Steve Urry) Aubrey Williams & Christopher Michaels Lee Rickles Erin Fletcher Charlie Siegel & Don Cook Fredrick E. Heal, II Mike Shasky Lee Kaplan John Iterman Christopher Larkin Ronald Amero & Suk Hun Choo Stephen Waters Donna Colcord Keith Wortham Nancy Allard Andy Armano Anthony Cabrera John Denley Marc Dickerman William Garneau Linda Hindley Howard Yopp David Hopper Walter Jackson Donald Locascio & Robert L. Murphy Donald Mills Karen Oliva Marty Onieal Roberta Phillips Corinn Potter Thomas Santaniello Mark Sewell Lori & Joe Shield John Spazzerinni Maureen & Kenneth Meier

Leonard Hebert Regina Laubscher Joe Parker Suzanne Peterson Chris Schlenker (of loving memory) Hillary Josephs David Cangelosi David R. Littlefield Jonathan Sanz Reynaldo Araque Cheryl Cohen Dean Hitsos & Carlas Kallam Normand J. Leclair Kewan Smith Nancy Ching Ken Steffea & Paul Geisinger O Tannenbaum Fund Thank you to the following individuals who generously donated to support the purchase of holiday trees used to bring festive joy to our concerts: Philip Cordell Edward Breeden Scott Hall Bill Bechman Howard Yopp Donald Mills Irwin Rosen Special thanks to Rev. Dr. Robert Griffin and Kurt Litzenberger for loaning the Christmas tress at our Holidays at Sunshine Cathedral concert.

BUILDING A BETTER FUTURE TOGETHER Did you know that more than 1,000 companies and foundations in the United States currently match their employees’ gifts to not-for-profit organizations? That’s us as we are a 501 (c)(3). It’s a great way to bolster your generosity and receive more benefits at no additional cost to you! Our annual donors are the foundation of our stability and the fuel for our future. Visit gmcsf.org/support for more information.

THE GAY MEN’S CHORUS OF SOUTH FLORIDA

DONORS & SPONSORS GOVERNMENT FUNDING PROVIDED BY

CORPORATE VOICES GMCSF is grateful for the financial support from the following businesses

FOUNDATION SUPPORT Programming and operations generously supported by the following foundations

GULFSTREAM PHILANTHROPIC FOUNDATION

THE GAY MEN’S CHORUS OF SOUTH FLORIDA

PEGASUS SOCIETY

WE’VE COME SO FAR IN OUR LIFETIME. Let’s Keep the Momentum Going!

Many of us still recall the days when television would never show two people of the same gender share a kiss… or even hold hands. Now we live in a time when the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled in favor of marriage equality. We’ve accomplished so much, yet there is so much more to do. Since the late 1970s the LGBTQ+ Choral Movement has been a crucial tool for advocacy, unity and education. The Gay Men’s Chorus of South Florida is proud to continue this legacy through our music. We are proud to serve as cultural ambassadors for our community and provide a voice for those who do not have one. Help ensure this work continues by joining The Pegasus Society planned giving program. By including the Gay Men’s Chorus of South Florida in your estate planning, you can help sustain our organization and keep our voices carrying long into the future.

We invite you to join the members of The Pegasus Society today. Contact us at: (954) 763-2266 ext. 109 or mkent@gmcsf.org for more information.

The Pegasus Society

John Burch Bob Pagano Charles Nicoll Don Tomasello Donald Croxton Doug Pew George Kling Mitchell Grant Gerald Kennedy Greg Futchi (in loving memory) Fred Boykin

Jack Killen John Hohl (in loving memory) Marty Kaplan Christopher Chouinard Paul Smith Peter Kimball Robert Beardsley Mark & Robert Benson Ralph Stivali & Al LaMorges (in loving memory)

“ Being a member of The Pegasus Society is important to us because we believe and support the mission of the Chorus to open hearts and change minds and because music has always been a very important part of our lives.”

—Don Tomasello and Bob Pagano THE GAY MEN’S CHORUS OF SOUTH FLORIDA

IN L OVING MEMOR Y

Jerry Desmarais SEPT 21, 1945 - S E PT 28 , 20 1 9

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From Beethoven to Broadway, Bach to Bernstein, The Chorus performs works by the full range of beloved classical and contemporary composers.

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Lightship is proud to support the Gay Men’s Chorus of South Florida Happy Holidays!

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The pulsating rhythms and driving beats of great jazz, speak to our souls’ expressive and vibrant parts.

In addition, this distincly American form of music has often given voice to diverse communities, making it a draw for many great LGBTQ+ artists. Join us for a toetapping journey through great jazz tunes across the decades and the gifted LGBTQ+ people behind them.