Twin Cities Gay Men's Heralds in the Holidays

November 18, 2004
Jon Lewis, Executive Director
612.339.7664
jlewis@tcgmc.org

Minneapolis, MN-    The 140 voices of The Twin Cities Gay Men's Chorus will herald in the Twin Cities holiday season at Ted Mann Concert Hall in their always-popular holiday-themed concert program.  Snow!  A Winter Wonderland of Song will be performed Saturday, December 11, at 8 pm; Sunday, December 12 at 2 pm; and Friday, December 17th at 8 pm.  This all-new holiday concert is rich with nostalgia as the Chorus sings classics like White Christmas, The Christmas Waltz, Winter Wonderland and many other "snow" themed favorites.   

"Every year we like to develop our program around a unique holiday theme.  This year, it seemed appropriate that we pay homage to the "white magic" that has given the Twin Cities the snowy cold reputation that it has.  Although it (snow) may get old around May, there is nothing like Holiday Snow," said Dr. Stan Hill, Artistic Director for the Chorus.  The concert will open with the dramatically moving work The Snow , by Edward Elgar, featuring two solo violins.  The Chorus will also present their premiere performance of Mid-Winter Songs , by Morton Lauridsen, based on poems by Robert Graves.  "Both pieces stretch the Chorus' performance élan and are exquisite pieces of music," Hill added. 

Back by popular demand, Lola Watson, soprano, joins the Chorus in a special return engagement.  "Lola is an absolute treat for us.  We had such a wonderful time working together last year that we immediately asked her to join us again," said Hill.  Watson will sing Pietro Yon's Gesu Bambino, a dramatic moving carol of Christmas.  There will also be a bit of fun with Lola when she plays the title role in "Snow White" to the 140 Dwarfs of the Chorus.  An accomplished opera singer, Watson has performed all over the world.  She currently serves as section leader with the Minnesota Chorale and is a frequent soloist with the Minnesota Orchestra.  

Other selections in this eclectic concert include Randall Thompson's The Pasture and Stopping by Woods on Snowy Evening from Frostiana (based on poems by Robert Frost); an Austrian carol, Still, Still, Still , by Norman Luboff; Must the Winter Come So Soon by Samuel Barber from the opera Vanessa ; some traditional Hanukkah music in Nerli variations from Three Hanukkah Songs, arranged by Charles L. Baker, and the poignant In the Bleak Midwinter, by Gustav Holst, to name a few.  There will also be a good-old fashioned audience carol sing-along.  "We like to have fun, and we like to make sure we have something for everyone.  This program does just that," said Hill.    

Continuing the tradition of community outreach, this holiday season the Chorus is proud to partner with the Aliveness Project, a local 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.  Serving the HIV community in the Twin Cities and greater Metro area, Aliveness Project provides nutritional, therapeutic, social and educational services so that these individuals may live full and dignified lives.  Every holiday season, Aliveness Project distributes over 700 unique baskets to over 1500 people.  Each basket is customized with a variety of gifts, depending on individual needs. 

The Chorus is asking audience members to help Aliveness Project this year by bringing a gift to one of the holiday concerts.  For every gift brought to the holiday concerts, patrons will receive a $5 discount coupon that may be redeemed for any of this season's concert tickets.  "Our role in the Twin Cities GLBT community is much broader than simply producing a concert season every year.  We try to serve as role models for the GLBT community through our actions and voices.  Helping our community partners is just one way that we try to think beyond our own selves.  By helping one another, we help the whole (community)," said Joann Usher, Executive Director of the Chorus.  More information on the Holiday Basket Program can be found at Aliveness Project's website:  http://www.aliveness.org/HB_Donor_Volunteer_Form.pdf . 

The Chorus is also continuing its annual "Deck the Halls" program.  Individuals may purchase a poinsettia from the Chorus for $15 in honor or memory of a loved one.  These plants will then be used to decorate the stage at Ted Mann Concert Hall for the holiday concerts.  The names of all the individuals being honored will be printed in the Chorus' concert program.  After the last concert on December 17th, the poinsettias will be distributed to local charities.  Call the Chorus office at 612.339.7664 to make a reservation.  The deadline for ordering is November 26th. 

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).  Student rush tickets go on sale one hour prior to each concert and are 50% off the adult full-price value with a valid student ID.  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. 

Saturday, December 11, 2004, 8 p.m. - ASL Interpreted
Sunday, December 12, 2 p.m.
Friday, December 17, 8 p.m.

$31, $25, & 19, adults
Children 12 and under 50% off
Student Rush Tickets 50% off one hour prior to concerts
Braille and large-print programs are available from an usher prior to the performance.

Formed in 1981, 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 25,000 this past year through concert programs and outreach performances.  Its mission is Gay men building community through music.

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