Twin Cities Gay Men's Chorus To Present Holiday Concert: Bells A Tintinnabulation Of Song

Joann Usher, Executive Director, 612.339.7664
Dr. Stan Hill, Artistic Director
Jon Lewis, Executive Director

Minneapolis, MN, November 4, 2003 – The Twin Cities Gay Men's Chorus will “ring”, “ding” as well as “sing” in the holiday season with the always popular holiday program – this year to feature bells, bells, and more bells! The holiday program will be presented at Ted Mann Concert Hall on Friday and Saturday December 5 and 6th at 8 p.m. and again on Saturday, December 13 at 8 p.m. Every holiday favorite that has “bells” in it will be featured – from the every popular Carol of the Bells to Rachmaninoff’s dramatic setting of Edgar Allen Poe’s poem The Bells.

Joining the Twin Cities Gay Men's Chorus is not one but two handbell choirs: The Bells of the Lakes English handbell choir, under the direction of William H. Mathis, and our very own handbell choir.

“Orchestra bells, triangles, celeste’s, sleigh bells, cymbals and all sorts of ringing will be going on!” said Dr. Stan Hill, the Chorus’ Artistic Director. “There will be a special spotlight piece by our guests, traditional carols with handbell accompaniment, and of course, the tradition of a good old-fashioned carol sing-along!”, Hill said.

Other selections include O Come All Ye Faithful, Silver Bells, Ding, Dong Merrily on High, Variations on Jingle Bells (ala Barbara Streisand), New Year Carol by Benjamin Britten, Christmas Day by Gustav Holst and a triumphant moving finale Ring Out, Wild Bells! by Ron Nelson.

Continuing the tradition of community outreach, the Chorus is proud to partner again this year with Rainbow Families to help provide gifts for GLBT teenagers in YouthLink’s Host Home program. Host Home is a housing program for GLBT youth where young people live in the homes of affirming hosts. The audience is asked to bring unwrapped gifts with them to the concert, and the Chorus and Rainbow Families will make sure that these gifts are received. A gift list is provided on our website at www.tcgmc.org or by calling the Chorus office at 612.339.7664.

The Chorus is also continuing its annual “Deck the Halls” program by making poinsettia plants available for purchase to decorate the stage in honor of or in memory of friends or family members. Following the concerts, the poinsettias will be delivered to a local charity. Poinsettias cost $15 and may be purchased online or by calling 612.339.7664.

The holiday concert will be held at Ted Mann Concert Hall located on the west bank of the University of Minnesota. Tickets for the holiday concert are priced at $31, $25, & $19 for adults (children 12 and under are 50% off). Tickets are currently on sale and may be ordered online at www.tcgmc.org or by calling the Ted Mann box office at 612.624.2345.

Friday and Saturday, December 5 & 6, 8 p.m.
Saturday, December 13, 8 p.m.
$31, $25, & 19, adults
Children 12 and under 50% off
Dec. 6 - ASL INTERPRETTED
Braille and large-print programs are available from an usher prior to the performance.

The 140 member Twin Cities Gay Men's Chorus is the fourth largest and one of the most highly regarded gay men’s choruses in the country. TCGMC served an audience of over 10,000 this past year through concert programs and outreach performances. Its mission is Gay men building community through music.

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