Twin Cities Gay Men's Chorus to Present World Premiere Commission Metamorphosis

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

Minneapolis, MN, February 9, 2004 – Twin Cities Gay Men's Chorus will present the world premiere composition Metamorphosis in what promises to be one of the defining moments for the Chorus in its’ 23-year history. This new commission will be part of the Our Legacy In Song program being presented at Ted Mann Concert Hall on Friday and Saturday March 19 and 20 at 8 p.m. and again on Sunday March 21 at 2 p.m.

Metamorphosis is the brainchild of Dr. Stan Hill, Artistic Director for the Twin Cities Gay Men's Chorus, and is an in-depth exposure of the lives of the men in the Chorus. In that exposure are also some amazing revelations about the lives of all of us. Hill hand-picked the lyricist and composer to work with in creating this new work. He chose a team he has worked with before, lyricist Robert Seeley and composer Robert Espindola. “We have collaborated before on a couple of projects when I was the Artistic Director of the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus: NakedMan (nominated for a Grammy Award in several categories in 1996) and Exile. So, I knew their work firsthand. I also know the amount of work that goes into a new commission, and I only wanted to work with the best,” said Hill.

The project began over two years ago with interviews from more than 80 of the men of the Chorus. Writings, phone calls and conversations gleaned a uniquely Minnesotan slant on the community and the lives of the people in it. The finished piece has eleven movements and an encore.

Joining the Chorus will be the James Sewell Ballet and a live orchestra. “I wanted to have a visual component to this work, and I thought this would be the perfect project to approach James (Sewell) with,” said Hill. “I have wanted to work with James for some time; however, I wanted the collaboration to be thoughtful and intentional. The Chorus felt that nothing would be more beautiful than to have James create a piece that would express and reinforce the music we will perform,” Hill said. The Chorus will go on to perform Metamorphosis in April as part of the James Sewell Ballet spring program at O’Shaughnessy Auditorium in St. Paul.

Opening the Our Legacy in Song concert will be a repertoire of music that includes Make Them Hear You from Ragtime, Anthem from Chess, a piece titled Marry Us from NakedMan, and a set by OutLoud!, the small ensemble of the Chorus, to name a few. Metamorphosis will be the entire Act II of the program.

“The energy, commitment, financial investment and dedication to commissioning new music stand as a lasting testimony to the artistic vision of the Chorus,” said Joann Usher, executive director of the Chorus. “Without the generosity of Dwight Joyner and Mike Murphy and Orlyn and Bonnie Joyner, this new work would not have been possible,” Usher added.

Our Legacy in Song will be held at Ted Mann Concert Hall located on the west bank of the University of Minnesota. Tickets for this 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, March 19 and 20, 8 p.m.
Sunday, March 21, 2 p.m.
$31, $25, & 19, adults
Children 12 and under 50% off
March 20 - ASL INTERPRETED
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.

###

Photos available in jpeg or tif format.
Please contact Jon Lewis at 612.339.7664 or email: jlewis@tcgmc.org