HISTORY
Over 170 members, reaching more than 20,000 people annually
The Gay Men's Chorus of South Florida is an artistic force dedicated to social change. As of January 1, 2023, our membership has grown to over 170 members in 13 years, making us the most prominent LGBTQ+ chorus in the southeastern United States. GMCSF is also one of the country's top 10 largest LGBTQ+ choruses. Our membership and organization are diverse, intergenerational, and multicultural. Driven to open more minds and change hearts, we have expanded into larger venues and broadened our community outreach, reaching more than 20,000 people annually.
The Beginning
Leadership Development
Leadership Development
On September 7, 2010, a group gathered at the UCC church hall in Oakland Park, Florida, to discuss forming a new gay men's chorus. They wanted to establish a group that would excel in musicianship, foster a caring brotherhood, and engages its members in all levels of the chorus' operations. The Rev Dr. Durrell Watkins, Senior Minister at Fort Lauderdale's Sunshine Cathedral MCC, invited the new group to make the cathedral both their rehearsal and concert home free of charge for the group's first season. On Tuesday, September 14, 2010, the founding members of the new chorus had their first rehearsal, followed by their first concert, "Home for the Holidays," in December of that year.
On September 21, 2010, the Gay Men's Chorus of Florida was officially incorporated. Retired attorney Doug Pew provided pro-bono legal work to assist the chorus in obtaining its 501 (c) 3 status on November 15, 2010, and with his husband, Don Croxton, formed the first board. In addition, they and James Laird established a viable financial foundation for the new group. The founding board members, Doug Pew (the first chair), Don Croxton, Gerry Kennedy, and B.J. Albright, functioned not only as liaisons to donors in the community but also set out to be the outspoken champions of the mission that the chorus membership adopted for itself in its first year: "To inspire our audiences, move spirits, open minds and change hearts through the quality of our music, the power of our words and the sight of our joy." Since its founding, dozens of community leaders in South Florida have served on the chorus' Board of Directors, guided by the same purpose.
Leadership Development
Leadership Development
Leadership Development
The first leadership team, headed by founding President, Bill Spinosa, formed quickly and divided up the responsibilities of the day-to-day management of the chorus business until GMCSF could hire staff to take on those duties. Additionally, since the beginning, a cadre of highly dedicated volunteers, including chorus members, their friends, and chorus allies, has handled the details of managing the chorus' performances and community service activities. They are an integral part of the life of the chorus, contributing such diverse services as bookkeeping, running fundraising events, preparing the stage for concerts, caring for members' unique needs, managing special events, generating program books, providing concert hospitality, and so much more.
From the beginning, significant decisions about the mission and direction of the chorus have been made in consultation with the membership, guided by a firmly held belief in organizational transparency. As a result, numerous chorus members have contributed their administrative and artistic talents to give the young choral group a strong foundation. Besides being elected to leadership positions annually, members have formed teams for production and logistics, creative advisement, wardrobe and volunteer management, music library management, marketing, social events, community outreach, and participation in the activities of the international Gay and Lesbian Association of Choruses. In addition, the chorus members formed a "We Care" committee to look out for the special needs of the members living with debilitating illnesses or mourning personal losses. And a white stool, engraved with the names of men who have passed, graces the stage at every performance.
Artistic Direction
Artistic Direction
Artistic Direction
GMCSF was now ready to give an artistic direction to the fledgling chorus. Julliard-trained pianist and choral conductor Gordon Roberts initially donated his time and talent collaborating with Harold Dioquino, Director of Diggin, Florida's highly regarded Filipino-American vocal ensemble, as Assistant Conductor. These two founding artistic team members not only served as choral conductors but also contributed many of the orchestral and choral arrangements of the works performed by GMCSF in those first years. In addition, pianist Roger Rundle was appointed principal accompanist for the chorus from the first rehearsal and held that position until the chorus' 6th season. Finally, on January 1, 2023, the former Fort Lauderdale Gay Men's Chorus dissolved, and its members became a part of GMCSF.
New Visions
Artistic Direction
Artistic Direction
When Gordon Roberts' tenure as Artistic Director ended after the 5th anniversary season in 2015, the chorus held a nationwide search for his replacement. The three top candidates auditioned at a special rehearsal with the chorus members on January 30, 2016. As a result, Harold Dioquino, who had stepped up to the podium as Interim Conductor for the 2015 holiday performances, was selected as GMCSF's second Artistic Director and Conductor in February 2016. He has led the chorus to even more incredible accomplishments, including the group's debut at Hard Rock Live at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, FL. At the beginning of the 12th season in 2021, Conductor, tenor, and music educator Gabe Salazar was chosen as GMCSF's first full-time Artistic Director.
Staff Recruitment
Staff Recruitment
Staff Recruitment
The chorus hired its first administrative employee, Ed Corley, the Director of Development, in 2013. And in May 2015, the chorus finally hired an Executive Director, Mark B. Kent, who had extensive experience in arts management, most recently with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. Office Manager Doug Leib joined the staff as office manager in the same year, along with the new Director of Development, Michael Mendillo. The organization's offices relocated in 2015 from Sunshine Cathedral to The Pride Center at Equality Park in Wilton Manors; the church has remained the chorus's rehearsal and holidays concert stage.
In 2019, Steve Urry was hired as the group's first Director of Marketing and Sponsorship. After Mr. Urry's untimely passing in late 2020, Brand Strategist Edward Otto Zielke assumed the Director of Marketing and Sponsorship position, joining Mark and Doug on the current administrative staff. In 2022, GMCSF recruited A.J. Mendini and Andrew Stephens to help develop the Youth Pride Chorus of South Florida program.
Making An Impact
Staff Recruitment
Staff Recruitment
GMCSF has become a musical force in South Florida within the last few years. Performances have reached an audience of over 20,000 people as the chorus enters its second decade, and critics have acclaimed the group's performance quality and concert innovations. The ensemble has traveled twice to Denver, CO, to perform with over 150 choruses in the GALA choral festival. GMCSF commissioned internationally acclaimed composers such as Mark Hayes, Kevin Wembley, Gary Fry, Robert Delgado, and Kim Andre Arnesen to write or arrange new works for world premiere performances.
And the chorus has shared the stage with award-winning Broadway, television, film, and recording artists, including Ann Hampton Callaway, Liz Callaway, Linda Eder, Sharon Gless, Alan Cumming, Matthew Morrison, Jordin Sparks, and Shoshana Bean. There is no doubt that this young group has quickly made its mark as an arts organization.
Equity, Access and Belonging
Equity, Access and Belonging
Equity, Access and Belonging
Diverse, intergenerational, multicultural: At GMCSF, a diverse, inclusive, and equitable organization is one where every human, whatever their gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, age, sexual orientation or identity, education, or disability, feels valued and respected. We have committed to a nondiscriminatory approach in our employment and programs throughout history. We respect and value diverse life experiences and heritages and ensure that all voices are valued and heard. In 2022, GMCSF adopted GALA Choruses' reinvented name change from DEI: Diversity Equity & Inclusion to EAB: Equity Access & Belonging. GMCSF is committed to accessing its performances, members, volunteers, and staff. Therefore, we provide ASL interpreters, wheelchair seating, alternative formats, and other accommodations to ensure our patrons have a comfortable and enjoyable experience.
It is the policy of the Gay Men's Chorus of South Florida, Inc., to comply with all of the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act. To request materials in an accessible format, sign language interpreters, and any accommodation required to participate in any of our programs, please get in touch with Mark Kent, Executive Director, at 954-763-2266, Ext. 109. To allow us to provide optimal accommodation, please submit your requests as early as possible.
In Memorium
Equity, Access and Belonging
Equity, Access and Belonging
Whenever we perform, we sing for the Chorus members who are no longer with us. Their names are continually memorialized in our concert programs and the list below. However, their spirit lives on with us, and we honor their memory by adding their name badge to our memorial show stool (white).
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 Makos • John Murrow • Patrick Ott • Skip (George) Panse • David Quackenbush • Steve Ratzel • Brian Ricci • Bob Rose • Elvin Ruiz • Pat Seddon • Gregory Stanton
Membership Awards
The Bill Spinosa Distinguished Service Award: “Presented annually to the Chorus member who has performed, in a singular fashion, service to the Chorus far over and above the expectation of membership, and by so doing, has made the Chorus stronger and advanced us toward the achievement of our vision.”
Kenneth Pope, 2015 • Wayne Schubnel, 2016 • Gary D. Corbett, 2017 • Tony Corrente, 2018 • Dustin Ewing, 2019 • Joseph Fletcher, 2020 • Jerry Day, 2021 • Fred Boykin, 2022
The Greg Futchi Award: “For Self-Expression, Contribution, Generosity, and Creativity. Presented to the GMCSF member who best represents the values we loved and remember about our dear brother, Greg.”
Randy Washburn , 2016 • David Littlefield, 2017 • Doug Cureton, 2018 • Tim Richardson, 2019 • Tom Malone, 2019 • Skip (George) Panse, 2020 • Scott Hindley, 2021 • Jim Lopresti, 2021 • Bruce Anderson, 2022
The Gary Corbitt Core Values Award: “Passion, Respect, Integrity, Dedication, Excellence, Pride Presented to the member who best represents and lives the core values of the GMCSF consistently throughout the season; providing leadership and selfless service.”
Steven Begert-Clark, 2017 • Don Tomasello, 2018 • Michael Valdez, 2019 • Charles Robinson, 2020 • Brad Johnson, 2021 • Michael Gillespie, 2022 • Alex Crotts, 2022 posthumously
Saturday, April 29, 3pm at Hunters Nightclub. Learn more.