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 Andre Sean Gary-Mack on Feeling at Home in Harmony By June Kamerling
Holding the Light, Together Finding strength, joy, and connection as we prepare for spring By Ryan Justus, Baritone
Voices from our Chorus Meet Joseph, Jonathan, and Ryan: The Three Choreographers By June Kamerling
In Concert LGBTQ+ History Month By Ryan Justus
In Harmony Honoring Hispanic Heritage Month Through Music, Memory, and Community By Ryan Justus
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.