Stay connected with one of the Bay Area’s most beloved choral groups through SFGMC TV, a new online platform with performances, interviews, and behind-the-scenes footage featuring the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus (SFGMC). According to an announcement by Artistic Director Dr. Timothy Seelig and Executive Director Chris Verdugo, the digital “TV” station with have four main channels: Behind the Curtain, In Concert, Out in the Community, and Inside the Chorus. According to the SFGMC press release:
Behind the Curtain is a continuation of the popular series previously held at the National LGBTQ Center for the Arts, offering interviews with notable performers and icons, including Andrew Lippa, Kristin Chenoweth, Stephen Schwartz, and Chasten Buttigieg. The online version debuts with two episodes, featuring Seelig and Verdugo in conversation with Broadway legend and Tony Award-winning actress Laura Benanti as well as Grammy, Emmy, and Tony Award-winning singer, actor, writer, and director Billy Porter.
“The In Concert channel will offer a wide range of performances and concert footage; Out in the Community will feature educational content such as instructional videos from Seelig and curriculum from the RHYTHM (Reaching Youth Through Music) program; and Inside the Chorus features a behind-the-scenes look into the Chorus and its members.”
Highlighting the new launch is the debut of “Truly Brave,” a new piece dedicated to first responders and medical professionals working to fight the COVID-19 pandemic around the globe. A musical mashup arranged by Mac Huff, “Truly Brave” pairs the Cyndi Lauper hit “True Colors” (written by Billy Steinberg and Tom Kelly) with “Brave,” by Sara Bareilles and Jack Antonoff. Vinney Le and Ray Fletcher are the featured soloists, joined by more than 150 members of the chorus.
Seelig says about the new resource, “SFGMC thrives on connection, both within the Chorus during our rehearsal process and with our broader community through performance. We are thrilled to provide a platform to connect us all digitally for the time being and beyond. We just couldn't go another moment without putting our music and activism out there for people to enjoy!”
“In these challenging times, we choose to create and innovate with new programming to fulfill our mission and support our community at home and around the world,” adds Verdugo. “We hope SFGMC TV serves as a link to the artistry and creativity of the Chorus, special guest artists, individual singers, and student outreach programs, and help sustain our audience with joy, songs, and the strength of our ever-growing community.”
New content will be posted every week. For additional information and ongoing updates, visit www.sfgmc.org.
