The Atlanta Gay Men's Chorus (AGMC) is a nonprofit performing arts organization based in Atlanta, Georgia (US). The AGMC, along with the Atlanta Women's Chorus, are managed under their parent organization, Voices of Note.
The AGMC's traditional concert season includes a Holiday Concert in early December at The Cathedral of St. Phillip in the Buckhead neighborhood of Atlanta, a Spring Concert in late April, and a Summer Concert in June. The AGMC is also a strong presence in the Atlanta LGBTQ Community due to their involvement in various charitable organizations, cultural events and the annual Atlanta Gay Pride Parade.
One of the world's longest-running gay choruses, the AGMC is a member of the international Gay and Lesbian Association of Choruses (GALA), and it actively participates in collaborative performances and educational efforts with GALA member choruses worldwide. The AGMC is also a member of Chorus America, an organization dedicated to the expansion of the choral movement in North America.
History The AGMC presented its first Holiday Concert, Music of the Season, featuring ten Christmas songs, on November 29, 1981, at Grant Park United Methodist Church.
In 2001, a quartet from the AGMC performed the national anthem at an Atlanta Braves home game, and in 2002, the entire chorus returned to do the same."Big moments: Gay chorus reflects on 30 years" Project Q, 11/12/2010
In the summer of 2023, a group of about 30 members from the AGMC performed in Bologna, Italy for the Various Voices European Choir Festival, from June 14–18, 2023.
Artistic directors Donald Milton, III is the AGMC's current Artistic Director.
Previous artistic directors Jeffrey D. McIntyre, Founding Artistic Director, 1981–1984 and 1991–1994, Interim Artistic Director, 2006–2007 Neil Gregory, 1984–1987 Richard D. Rechtin, 1988–1990 David A. Puckett, 1995–1999 Gary W. Arnold, 1999–2000 Leslie J. Blackwell, 2000–2006 Kevin Robison, first Full-Time Artistic Director, 2007–2017
Discography The AGMC recorded three tracks for Gerald L. Stacy's CD, In Remembrance of Love, in 1997, including "Commencement" by Shelly Jackson, "Prayer for the Children" by Kurt Bestor, and "Irish Blessing", arranged by Robert Seeley. "Prayer for the Children" was performed by the AGMC's small ensemble, Panache; David A. Puckett, Artistic Director. Recorded and produced by Allgood Productions, Atlanta, Georgia. Carols, Revels and Holiday Cheer (1998)—a live recording of the AGMC's 1997 Holiday Concert at the Episcopal Cathedral of Saint Philip; David A. Puckett, Artistic Director. Recorded and produced by DiverseCity Records, Austell, Georgia. Passions (2002)—a live recording of the AGMC's 2001 Spring Concert at St. Bartholomew's Episcopal Church; Leslie J. Blackwell, Artistic Director. Recorded and produced by Gil Moor & Bill Brown, Atlanta, Georgia. A Real Family Holiday (2004)—a studio recording of music from the AGMC's 2003 Holiday Concert; Dr. Leslie J. Blackwell, Artistic Director. Recorded by Allgood Productions, Atlanta, Georgia; produced by Dr. Leslie J. Blackwell. Live at the Cathedral (2004)—a live recording of the AGMC's 2004 Holiday Concert at The Episcopal Cathedral of Saint Philip; Dr. Leslie J. Blackwell, Artistic Director. Recorded and produced by Allgood Productions, Atlanta, Georgia. And On Earth, Peace (2012)—a live recording of various selections from the AGMC's Holiday Concerts at the Cathedral of St. Phillip from 2008–2011. Kevin Robison, Artistic Director. Recorded by RM Audio, Atlanta, Georgia.
Performances 1st Concert Season: 1981–1982
The AGMC's very first public performance, called simply "Sneak Preview", directed by Jeffrey D. McIntyre, was presented on October 18, 1981, at (First) Metropolitan Community Church in Virginia Highland.
The 1981 Holiday Concert, "Music of the Season", directed by Jeffrey D. McIntyre, was presented on November 29, 1981, at Grant Park United Methodist Church.
The 1982 Spring Concert, "Southern Knights", directed by Jeffrey D. McIntyre, was presented on May 15, 1982, at the Peachtree Playhouse.
2nd Concert Season: 1982–1983
The 1982 Holiday Concert, "The Most Wonderful Time of the Year", directed by Jeffrey D. McIntyre, was presented on December 4, 1982, at All Saints' Episcopal Church.
The 1983 Pride Concert, "United in Song!", directed by Jeffrey D. McIntyre, was presented on June 18, 1983, at St. Luke's Episcopal Church.
3rd Concert Season: 1983–1984
The 1983 Holiday Concert, "Fanfare for Christmas", directed by Jeffrey D. McIntyre, was presented on December 10, 1983, at St. Luke's Episcopal Church.
The 1984 Pride Concert, "A Grand Night for Singing", directed by Jeffrey D. McIntyre and a joint performance with the Atlanta Feminist Women's Chorus and the Atlanta Lambda Chorale, was presented on June 23 & 30, 1984, at the Dancers Collective.
The AGMC, under the direction of Jeffrey D. McIntyre, performed in WSB-TV's "Salute to America" parade in Atlanta on July 4, 1984, and was the first openly gay organization to do so.
4th Concert Season: 1984–1985
The 1984 Holiday Concert, "Let Us Rejoice Together", directed by Neil Gregory, was presented on December 15, 1984, at St. Luke's Episcopal Church.
The 1985 Spring Concert, "Spring", directed by Neil Gregory, was presented on April 12 & 14, 1985, at the Walter C. Hill Auditorium of the High Museum of Art.
The 1985 Pride Concert, "Way Down South of Broadway", directed by Neil Gregory, was presented on June 29, 1985, at the Academy Theater.
The AGMC, under the direction of Neil Gregory, performed in WSB-TV's "Salute to America" parade in Atlanta on July 4, 1985.
5th Concert Season: 1985–1986
The 1985 Holiday Concert, "Celebrating the Season", directed by Neil Gregory, was presented on December 14, 1985, at St. Luke's Episcopal Church.
The 1986 Spring Concert, "Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea", directed by Neil Gregory, was presented on April 19, 1986, at the Richard H. Rich Theatre of the Woodruff Arts Center.
The 1986 Pride Concert, "The Best of AGMC", directed by Neil Gregory, was presented on July 26, 1986, at the Academy Theater.
6th Concert Season: 1986–1987
The 1986 Holiday Concert, "Throw Up the Sash", directed by Neil Gregory, was presented on December 13, 1986, at St. Luke's Episcopal Church.
The 1987 Spring Concert, "Red, White and Blues", directed by Neil Gregory, was presented on April 25, 1987, at the Walter C. Hill Auditorium of the High Museum of Art.
The 1987 Pride Concert, "...When You're Having Fun", directed by Neil Gregory, was presented on July 25, 1987, at the Walter C. Hill Auditorium of the High Museum of Art.
7th Concert Season: 1987–1988
The 1987 Holiday Concert, "The Stockings Were Hung", directed by Neil Gregory, was presented on December 12, 1987, at St. Luke's Episcopal Church.
The AGMC, the Gay Men's Chorus of South Florida and the Gay Men's Chorus of Washington, D.C., presented "Brothers in Harmony", a joint performance under the direction Gary E. Keating, on February 20, 1988, at Victory Park Auditorium in North Miami Beach, Florida.
The 1988 Pride Concert, "That's Entertainment", directed by Richard D. Rechtin, was presented on July 30, 1988, at the Samuel Inman Middle School Auditorium.
8th Concert Season: 1988–1989
The 1988 Holiday Concert, "A Special Holiday Concert", directed by Richard D. Rechtin, was presented on December 7, 1988, at Onstage Atlanta.
The 1989 Spring Concert, "Heart Theme", directed by Richard D. Rechtin, was presented on February 18, 1989, at the Walter C. Hill Auditorium of the High Museum of Art.
The 1989 Pride Concert, "Look to Your Dream", directed by Richard D. Rechtin, was presented on June 10, 1989, at the Walter C. Hill Auditorium of the High Museum of Art.
The AGMC, under the direction of Richard D. Rechtin, performed at GALA Festival III at the University of Washington in Seattle, Washington, in July 1989.
9th Concert Season: 1989–1990
The 1989 Holiday Concert, "A Gift of Song", directed by Richard D. Rechtin, was presented on December 2, 1989, at the June Cofer Auditorium at Southside High School.
The AGMC, under the direction of Richard D. Rechtin, presented "The Gayest Event of the Season" on December 16, 1989, at the War Memorial Auditorium in Nashville, Tennessee.
The 1990 Pride Concert, "In Harmony and Unity", directed by Richard D. Rechtin and a joint performance with the Atlanta Feminist Women's Chorus, was presented on June 3, 1990, at the June Cofer Auditorium at Southside High School.
10th Concert Season: 1990–1991
The 1990 Holiday Concert, "Carols, Toys & Sugarplum Fairies!", directed by Jeffrey D. McIntyre, was presented on December 8, 1990, at the June Cofer Auditorium at Southside High School.
The 1991 Spring Concert, "Spring Break", directed by Richard Ezell, was presented on April 6, 1991, at the June Cofer Auditorium at Southside High School.
11th Concert Season: 1991–1992
The 1991 Holiday Concert, "Men on Christmas", directed by Jeffrey D. McIntyre, was presented on December 15, 1991, at the 14th Street Playhouse.
The 1992 Spring Concert, "WGAY Radio", directed by Jeffrey D. McIntyre, was presented on March 29, 1992, at the 14th Street Playhouse.
The 1992 Pride Concert, "Tenth Anniversary Pride Concert", directed by Jeffrey D. McIntyre, was presented on June 14, 1992, at the Alliance Theatre of the Woodruff Arts Center.
The AGMC, under the direction of Jeffrey D. McIntyre, performed at GALA Festival IV in Denver, Colorado, in the summer of 1992.
12th Concert Season: 1992–1993
The 1992 Holiday Concert, "Home for the Holiday?", directed by Jeffrey D. McIntyre, was presented on December 19, 1992, at Henry Grady High School.
The 1993 Spring Concert, "Homecoming Hop", directed by Jeffrey D. McIntyre, was presented on March 26, 1993, at Henry Grady High School.
The 1993 Pride Concert, "Made in the USA: Homegrown Music", directed by Jeffrey D. McIntyre and a joint performance with One Voice from Charlotte, North Carolina, was presented on June 12, 1993, at Henry Grady High School.
13th Concert Season: 1993–1994
The 1993 Holiday Concert, "Carols of Splendor", directed by Jeffrey D. McIntyre, was presented on December 17 & 18, 1993, at the William R. Cannon Chapel at Emory University.
The 1994 Spring Concert, "An Evening with... Lenny, George, Steve & Fats", directed by Jeffrey D. McIntyre, was presented on March 25, 1994, at Henry Grady High School.
The 1994 Pride Concert, "When We No Longer Touch", directed by Jeffrey D. McIntyre and a joint performance with the Gateway Men's Chorus of St. Louis, Missouri, was presented on June 18, 1994, at the Robert Ferst Center for the Arts at Georgia Tech.
14th Concert Season: 1994–1995
The 1994 Holiday Concert, "Christmas with Spirit", directed by Jeffrey D. McIntyre, was presented on December 16 & 17, 1994, at the William R. Cannon Chapel at Emory University.
The 1995 Spring Concert, "Songs from the Heart", directed by Leslie J. Blackwell, was presented on April 8, 1995, at the Glenn Memorial Auditorium at Emory University.
The 1995 Pride Concert, "WGAY Radio: Tune In Again!", directed by David A. Puckett, was presented on June 24, 1995, at the Robert Ferst Center for the Arts at Georgia Tech.
15th Concert Season: 1995–1996
The 1995 Holiday Concert, "Masters in This Hall", directed by David A. Puckett, was presented on December 8 & 9, 1995, at St. Luke's Episcopal Church.
The 1996 Spring Concert, "Memento mori: an AIDS requiem", featuring the world premiere of the AGMC's first major commissioned work by James Adler, directed by David A. Puckett, was presented on April 13 & 14, 1996, at Glenn Memorial Auditorium at Emory University.
The 1996 Pride Concert, "The Atlanta Flames", directed by David A. Puckett and a joint performance with Le Choeur International Gai de Paris, France, was presented on June 29, 1996, at the Atlanta Civic Center.