Today we’d like to introduce you to Gay Men’s Chorus of South Florida, Mark Kent.
Gay Men’s Chorus of South Florida, Mark, we’d love to hear your story and how you got to where you are today both personally and as an artist.
The Gay Men’s Chorus of South Florida (GMCSF) began in September of 2010 as the dream of a few men who wanted to make high-quality music, encouraging positive social change and to make the world a better place for LGBTQ people. The first rehearsal was held on September 14, 2010 at the Sunshine Cathedral, which was soon to become the home of the newly formed Chorus. The rehearsal was under the direction of Gordon Roberts, the first Artistic Director, and Harold Dioquino, Assistant Conductor, with Roger Rundle, Accompanist.
The first public performance of the GMCSF was at the community observance of World AIDS Day, held at the Center for Spiritual Living in Wilton Manors on November 29, 2010. The Chorus then accepted Margaret Cho’s gracious invitation to perform with her on December 11, 2010 on the stage of the Jackie Gleason Theater in Miami Beach.
GMCSF’s premiere concert in its own season, entitled “Home for the Holidays,” opened to two sold-out audiences on December 17th and 18th, 2010 at the Sunshine Cathedral with sixty-eight members on stage. The Chorus’ reputation as an outstanding Gay Men’s Chorus was quickly established. And the Chorus has enjoyed continued success.
Since its founding, the Chorus has grown to over 120 members, becoming the largest gay men’s Chorus in the Southeastern United States and one of the top 12 LGBT choruses in the nation. Annually, their mainstage and community-based performances reach more than 19,500 people.
We’d love to hear more about your art. What do you do you do and why and what do you hope others will take away from your work?
The music of the Chorus explores a range of selections, from the classic to the contemporary. During the course of a season, audience members hear fresh new arrangements of music they know and love, as well as selections that are newly commissioned and setting the direction for men’s choral music today. Since the mission of the Chorus is to open minds and change hearts about LGBT people, music selections have a broad appeal, but often are selected because their content and tone help express the rich diversity of subcultures within the LGBT community.
The Chorus is also very committed to serving as a “voice” and an advocate for those who feel they do not have a voice in today’s society. Along with upbeat and campy song selections, the Chorus has also embraced music that raises awareness about difficult realities such as the HIV/AIDS epidemic, teen suicide and isolation. Artistic quality and excellence in performance are key drivers in everything the Gay Men’s Chorus of South Florida does.
Have things improved for artists? What should cities do to empower artists?
Things have improved a little for artists, but we were in such a “deficit” position that it is often difficult to feel the progress that is being made. The arts are such a fundamental part of our humanity, and we know from research that the arts make better students, better workers and better communities. Still, when budget cuts are made, the arts seem to be the first thing on the chopping block.
Our creativity and innovation are fundamental to our success in a global setting. Despite this fact, society tends to focus more on just skills without fostering vision and creativity. In light of this, artists of all types still struggle to find a strong enough demand for what they do to earn a living. Additionally, we see arts education programs waning in our schools and nonprofit arts organizations scrambling to stay relevant and stable at the same time.
Cities can do so much to promote the arts within their neighborhoods. They can better inform our business community of the value of investing in the arts with their time and their financial support. Our broader citizenry needs to better understand why the gallery on the corner, the chorus at the church and the theater group at the arts center are important in their quality of life and the community’s identity. It would be amazing to see South Florida cities come together to have an official Month of the Arts, which would highlight local performances through city calendars, e-mails, utility notices, government officials speaking points, city buildings and parks, etc. The arts are often in our own backyard, if people can be made aware of them and encouraged to participate.
Do you have any events or exhibitions coming up? Where would one go to see more of your work? How can people support you and your artwork?
The Gay Men’s Chorus of South Florida performs three, mainstage concert series each season, plus a cabaret concert in the Spring. December 15, 2018 @ 8 PM: The Heart of the Holidays at Sunshine Cathedral. The Chorus’s annual tradition of beloved holiday music continues for its ninth year at Sunshine Cathedral in Fort Lauderdale. Fans fill the intimate and spiritual setting to hear the mighty sound of the Chorus delivering a heart-warming and toe-tapping array of cherished holiday music.
December 16, 2018 @ 7 PM: Holidays at Hard Rock Live. The Gay Men’s Chorus of South Florida welcomes a headliner guest artist and thrills audiences with a rich array of new and traditional holiday music. Hosted by Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino – Hollywood, this concert has become “the” holiday event of the season in South Florida.
March 22 & 23, 2019 @ 8 PM: From the Heavenly to the Divine. Discover the incredible range of the Gay Men’s Chorus of South Florida as they take audiences on a whirlwind musical journey. The evening begins with the unbelievably gorgeous new commission, “Requiem” by young superstar choral conductor, Kim Andre Arnesen. Then, suddenly, the evening shifts gears and the Chorus belts out a range of pop and Broadway tunes that are sure to have audiences’ dancing in the aisles. Performances are at Sunshine Cathedral, Fort Lauderdale.
April 27 & 28, 2019 @ 8 PM: Proud Mary 2. Join select members and ensembles from the Chorus for a thrilling concert featuring some of the most wonderful pop and Broadway music ever written. Oh yeah! Did we mention that all of the music was written for women? FINALLY! The guys of the Chorus get to publicly perform their favorite diva hits. Performances are at Sunshine Cathedral, Fort Lauderdale and at Arts Garage, Delray Beach.
June 22, 2019 @ 8 PM: Up Rise Sing! This rousing concert event pays tribute to the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots, which are considered by most to be the launch of the LGBT rights movement. The Gay Men’s Chorus of South Florida is thrilled to welcome special guests the Fort Lauderdale Gay Men’s Chorus and the Miami Gay Men’s Chorus for this once-in-a-lifetime music event. Performance at Lauderhill Performing Arts Center, Lauderhill.
Contact Info:
- Address: 2040 N. Dixie Highway, Suite 218
Wilton Manors, FL 33305 - Website: www.gmcsf.org
- Phone: (954) 763-2266
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/GMCSouthFlorida
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/GMCSF
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/GMCSouthFlorida
Image Credit:
Ginny Dixon
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