It is with great sadness that we have to report the passing our beloved tenor 2 and board member, Peter Dempsey. He passed away on Monday, April 20th. There is an obituary and guestbook to sign here, and the Chapel of the Chimes Oakland funeral home is hosting this page for sharing memories and expressing support for Peter's loved ones.
As one of the original members from 1999, Peter and his husband Phillip have been extremely generous giving time, energy, and financial support to the chorus since its humble beginnings as The Oakland-East Bay Gay Men’s Chorus.
Peter brought light into the world both literally and figuratively. Whenever he entered a room he would light it up with his vivacious personality. It was wonderful how he would circulate among chorus members to get to know us better and share our stories. He was also a professional Lighting Designer with Dempsey Newport Group for 27 years, designing residential and landscape lighting for new home construction and household remodeling. Whenever we entered a new performance venue you could see him carefully scrutinizing the lighting design and later making excellent suggestions about how to improve it.
The chorus has spent enjoyable evenings at his and Phillip’s beautiful home where they hosted many a wrap party. Their holiday decorations were always spectacular.
Peter was an avid singer. It’s possible that he never missed a concert performance. He worked very hard to memorize his music and the joy he expressed at rehearsals and performances was palpable. Peter was very involved in the chorus leadership, serving on the board as President and Vice President and a member at large. He so often had great ideas and suggestions. He chaired and served on many committees, using his boundless energy to raise funds, develop strategies, and help implement our plans.
To quote Peter from tenor 1 June Kamerling’s recent interview of him, "The chorus is a place where singers come to sing, where identity is not questioned. Though OGMC is originally and primarily a gay men’s chorus, every gender and identity is included. Everyone is seen for who they are and not what they are. We take labels off. Each is an individual. We have come together to sing. We are a family."
His leadership and guidance will be deeply missed and we wish Phillip strength during this difficult time.
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.