The following is a republished press release from a community organization or member and NOT written by the Ithaca Voice … to submit community announcements to The Voice, contact us at msmith@ithacavoice.com.
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Ithaca, NY – On January 24, 2016, the Ithaca Gay Men’s Chorus will perform their Winter Cabaret, “Ithaca Gay Men’s Chorus Does Broadway – Act 2,” at 3:00 PM in the First Baptist Church, located in Ithaca’s historic Dewitt Park at 309 North Cayuga Street.
The chorus will perform songs and medleys from a selection of popular Broadway musicals. In addition to pieces sung by the entire chorus, the concert will feature a number of solo and small group performances from both guest artists and chorus members. Proceeds from the concert will go towards the chorus’ annual operating expenses, which include the purchase of music for their repertoire, rights to perform certain pieces, and compensation for their talented professional staff.
The annual Broadway themed concert has become one of IGMC’s most popular events with the chorus performing for Standing Room Only audiences. Aside from money raised through donations, there will be silent and live auctions for a number of items including personal IGMC concerts for the winner.
This will be the second concert of the 2015-16 season conducted by Sam Kwan, a senior in the B.M. Music Education/B.M. Vocal Performance Program in the Whalen School of Music at Ithaca College. During her junior year, Sam taught at the Immaculate Conception School under the mentorship of Dr. Emily Mason and Mr. Michael Roddy. Subsequently, she assisted Dr. Mason in the HeadStart classroom at Ithaca College. Sam has studied choral conducting, rehearsal techniques, and repertoire under the mentorship of Dr. Derrick Fox and Dr. Janet Galván.
While attending Ithaca College, Ms. Kwan has had the opportunity to sing in three main-stage operas and a handful of student-run and community operas. Most recently, she appeared as Aunt Cecilia March in Ithaca College’s Spring 2015 production of Adamo’s Little Women and as a Player in Opera Ithaca’s production of Il Sogno this past April. At present, Sam is a member of the Ithaca College Choir, having performed with the Women’s Choral prior.
The Ithaca Gay Men’s Chorus (IGMC) was founded in 2009 and first appeared as a guest of the VOICES Multi-Cultural Chorus. VOICES and IGMC are members of Ithaca Community Choruses (ICC), an organization providing opportunities for Tompkins County residents to perform in professionally directed choral groups. Originally an eight member group, the IGMC currently has thirteen members. The group is the only inclusive all-male choral group in Ithaca, proudly recognizing the talents of both straight and gay men in their ensemble.
IGMC performs regularly throughout the community and has received grants from the Community Arts Partnership. Most recently, the chorus performed at the Kitchen Theatre, Planned Parenthood of Corning, NY, Porchfest, numerous Ithaca senior care facilities, the AIDS Ride for Life, and the Little Apple Follies talent show.
Appearing at up to 15 events each year, the group is well known throughout the Finger Lakes Region, often singing at fundraisers, special events, and private weddings throughout the community. The members of the IGMC wish to express their gratitude to the First Baptist and Unitarian Churches for providing rehearsal and performance space.
A donation of $15 is suggested at the door. The chorus appreciates the generous support of concertgoers and various businesses and organizations throughout the community.
The Ithaca Gay Men’s Chorus can be found on the ICC website at www.ithacacommunitychoruses.org and on Facebook atwww.facebook.com/IthacaGayMensChorus. Open rehearsals are held at the First Baptist Church on Tuesday nights from 7:00 PM to 9:30 PM. If you are interested in joining the chorus or would like more information, you may contact the group by email atithacagaymenschorus@hotmail.com.
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