In early March, the Board of Directors and the Leadership Council of the Oakland Gay Men’s Chorus held their annual retreat, which focused on developing a Vision Statement for the next ten years. Our new Vision Statement would need to stand firmly on the foundation of our Mission and our Values, which have kept us strong and vibrant for more than twenty years. Our own Dennis Tseng led the two-day retreat, during which we produced a roadmap for the future of Oakland GMC. It’s our North Star— It’s how we’ll figure out what to do next, and how to do it. It was a wonderful exercise, and we left the retreat excited for the future.
Little did we know that our lives would be so thoroughly upended by a pandemic that changed everything. During this time of crisis it’s more important than ever that we have a set of guiding principles that keep us together as a community and give us ambitious and forward-thinking goals.
Now we need to share that Vision Statement with all of you, because it will drive the future of the chorus for all of us — our members, singing and non-singing; and our volunteers, friends, and patrons, who have been so loyal to us over the years. So here it is:
“Over the next decade, we will intentionally evolve into an artistic pillar of our community, creating experiences that foster fellowship, belonging, and joy.”
In a nutshell, our strategy is to become a permanent fixture in our community, a goal which will require growth, and also require planning and commitment from all of us. We are incredibly excited about where we are headed, and inspired by what the Board, the Leadership Council, and the Governance Committee (including our dearly departed Peter Dempsey) have given us with this vision. It serves as a heartfelt reminder that even in dark times, we must always imagine what could be in the future and aim for that with our whole selves.
As we struggle to make sense of our lives in seclusion, we are all missing making music on Tuesday nights. We miss the fellowship of our chorus family. We miss the hugs! We miss the joy of performing for our wonderful audiences. Uncertainty abounds, but one thing is clear: we need the Oakland Gay Men’s Chorus! We need it not only to survive this challenge, but to rise out of hibernation rejuvenated and ready to thrive in new circumstances.
Finally, here is a graphic of our new Oakland GMC Vision Statement. We’ve defined several of the terms in the call-out boxes to the right. (If you like you can also download the full-size version here):
Voices from our Chorus David Guerra on Sewing Costumes, Singing Truths, and Finding Family By June Kamerling
Voices from our Chorus Fred Rogers Reflects on His OaklandGMC Journey By June Kamerling
Conducting Change: A Chat with Bruce Southard, D.M.A.
Support the Oakland Gay Men's Chorus this Pride Month!
By Seth Frost (He/Him), Board Secretary, Baritone. As we welcome Pride Month, it's a time to reflect, celebrate, and honor the journey of the Oakland Gay Men's Chorus (OGMC). Our chorus was established in 1999, and since joining in 2018, I have been proud to be part of this vibrant community. From my very first interaction, I felt a warm embrace, an invitation to be part of something bigger than myself. For many, like myself, OGMC has been a core connection to the queer community, especially for those who came out later in life. Performing shows is more than a passion; it's our way of enriching the broader community in Oakland and the SF Bay Area, showcasing the joy found in queer life. At the heart of OGMC is our mission statement: "The Oakland Gay Men’s Chorus gives voice through song to a community where everyone matters." This guiding principle shapes everything we do. Being in a chorus means standing bravely in public, singing, supporting each other, and creating something more beautiful than any of us could achieve alone. This Pride Month, we're particularly excited about our 25th Anniversary Season, featuring "You Can’t Stop The Beat." This show is a showcase of our talents, with small ensemble and solo pieces prepared by our members. It's also a preview of the music we'll be taking to the national GALA festival in Minneapolis later this summer. Songs like "True Colors" are on the lineup, and I can't wait to see my friends shine. Celebrating Pride in Oakland and at the GALA Festival is especially significant this year. Our recent commission from Marques L. A. Garrett, requested by popular demand, highlights the collaborative spirit of our members. This show, filled with solos and special performances, is a true celebration of our talented membership. What does Pride mean to you? Seth Frost (He/Him), Board Secretary, Baritone. Pride is a call to step forward and assert that we matter, that our voices deserve to be heard. Pride events counteract hate and help heal the shame within ourselves. Singing loudly and proudly, we offer comfort and a beacon to those who can't yet express themselves authentically. Our year-round performances often end with the chorus spreading out around the audience, fostering a sense of community, welcome, and safety for all. June Kamerling (She/Her), Tenor 1 Pride is a celebration of the LGBTQ community and all it stands for. By participating in events like Oakland Pride and Alameda Pride, we give back to the community and practice visibility and inclusion. The impact of our events is profound, creating a supportive community where everyone feels they belong. Shawn Simon (He/Him), Board Vice President, Base Pride means being able to love ourselves unconditionally and seeing others empowered to live authentically. It's important to celebrate Pride to remind ourselves of our worth, connect with our community, and honor our history. Organizing events like our concerts has been profoundly impactful, creating an inclusive community and supporting local organizations.
By Melvin Terry March 31st was declared Cesar Chavez Day in 2014 by President Barack Obama. Cesar Chavez (March 31, 1927 – April 23, 1993) founded along with Delores Huerta the National Farm Workers Association (NFWA), which later merged with the Agricultural Workers Organizing Committee (AWOC) to become the United Farm Workers (UFW) labor union . International Women’s Day was first celebrated in the early 20th century and became a mainstream global holiday in 1977. It helps to focus attention on women and concerns such as gender equality, equal wages, and violence and abuse against women. Another important issue is the lack of attention paid to the substantial contributions of women.
By Melvin Terry Oakland is a diverse vibrant community with a goldilocks climate and an assortment of parks and trails with opportunities for exercise, socializing, and stunning visuals. It also has the benefits and drawbacks that come with a large city. But did you know about the history of Black migration to Oakland in the 1940’s and the rich culture that flourished in West Oakland back then? 7th Street, now the home of West Oakland BART and the sprawling main post office, was the hub of the community. There were many Black owned businesses and music venues. It was bustling and the place to be.
By Melvin Terry It doesn’t seem so long ago when I first heard of GALA (GayLa), a sort of choral Olympics where queer folks from around the world get together every four years to celebrate our existence and joyously sing for each other. Well, it was 16 years ago, when I first joined the then Oakland East-Bay Gay Men’s Chorus in 2007.