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THE GAY MENâ€™S CHORUS OF SOUTH FLORIDA HAROLD DIOQUINO, Artistic Director & Conductor presents

Heavenly Divine From The

To The

A beautiful, lush choral celebration of love and life!

The Gay Menâ€™s Chorus of South Florida, Inc. Harold Dioquino, Artistic Director & Conductor presents

From the Heavenly to the Divine Friday, March 29 & Saturday, March 30, 2019 Sunshine Cathedral

Harold Dioquino

Artistic Director & Conductor

Christopher Toth

GMCSF Principal Accompanist

James Smith

Production Director

Scott Hindley Choreographer

Special Guest Artists

Lissette Jimenez, Mezzo-soprano Sean Sterling, Florida Singing Sons, Soprano* *Ethan Parra, Florida Singing Sons, Alternate The Cuban Classical Ballet of Miami Trumpet: Mark Poljak First Violin: Randolph Bella, Beatriz Vera Second Violin: Daniela Lemus, Vera Nji Cello: Benjamin Whitman

Orchestra

Viola: Jose Castellanos, Katrenna Johnson Bass: Jackie De Los Santos Percussion: Julian Fernandez, Gary Mayone, Brad Watson

Special Guest Musicians from South Florida Pride Wind Ensemble Flute: Joe Ricardo Oboe: Rick Vaughan Clarinet: Roz Richmond Design Coordinator: Kurt Litzenberger Costumes: Joseph Fletcher and Bob Artale Production Crew: Shane Faullin and Umberto Veltri

A very special thank you to Sunshine Cathedral Reverend Durrell Watkins, Reverend Robert Griffin, and Kurt Litzenberger NOTE: Audio and video recording of any kind and ďŹ‚ash photography are prohibited.

Book Developed and Produced Through Generous Support from:

STEINWAY AD

ARTISTIC DIRECTOR & CONDUCTOR If I can stop one heart from breaking, ARTISTIC DIRECTOR & CONDUCTOR I shall not live in vain; If I can ease one life the aching, Or cool one pain, Or help one fainting robin Unto his nest again, I shall not live in vain. ~ Emily Dickenson

Hello and welcome to From the Heavenly to the Divine. The first part of tonight’s performance is not the typical program that you are used to hearing when you come to the Chorus’s concerts. Tonight, we are presenting a wonderful requiem by Kim André Arnesen. Kim is one of the most sought-after living composers in the choral world today, and we are extremely privileged to premiere his men’s voicing of Requiem of Solace. I was lucky enough to perform the work in 2016 at Carnegie Hall and got to meet Kim in person. Since then, I have been convincing (begging is the more appropriate word) Kim to re-voice the work for GMCSF. We are honored to perform with sopranos Lissette Jimenez and Sean Sterling and the wonderful Cuban Classical Ballet of Miami. We are only mid-way through our season, so I would like to invite all of you to check out our other concerts in the coming months. Our fun-filled cabaret show called Proud Mary 2 on April 27 at Sunshine Cathedral will have you on your feet as the men of the chorus perform songs made famous by female vocalists. On June 21, we will be performing with the Miami Gay Men’s Chorus and the Fort Lauderdale Gay Men’s Chorus to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots premiering the new work Quiet No More, which GMCSF co-commissioned with the New York Gay Men’s Chorus and the Los Angeles Gay Men’s Chorus, along with other LGBT choruses from around the country. Quiet No More will be the cornerstone of our Pride concert, Up, Rise, SING! at Lauderhill Performing Arts Center on the 21st, and the Miami Gay Men’s Chorus will host the same concert in Miami-Dade County, the next evening. Again, thank you for being here tonight and thank for your persistent support of our organization. On this page, I am sharing with you a poem from one of my favorite poets, Emily Dickenson, in hopes that it will inspire all of us to be a better person each day. Harold Dioquino Artistic Director & Conductor THE GAY MEN’S CHORUS OF SOUTH FLORIDA

THE GAY MEN’S CHORUS OF SOUTH FLORIDA

The Gay Men’s Chorus of South Florida (GMCSF) has become one of the region’s largest and most successful community-based choruses; celebrated for outstanding musicianship, creative programming and community outreach. Each year, GMCSF reaches over 19,000 audience members with its messages of love and inclusion. Our December holiday concerts launch GMCSF’s ninth season of serving the community. With 130 men on its singing roster, GMCSF is the largest gay men’s chorus in the Southeast. www.gmcsf.org

THE GAY MEN’S CHORUS OF SOUTH FLORIDA

COMPOSER & GUEST ARTISTS

Kim André Arnesen Composer

Norwegian composer Kim André Arnesen specializes in choral music. With a growing reputation on both sides of the Atlantic, Arnesen’s is regarded as one of the young superstars of composition in the classical arena. His music is written in an accessible melodic style and demonstrates a richly expressive vein. Arnesen grew up in Trondheim, Norway, and he is now Oslo-based. In his early years, he sang as chorister at the Nidaros Cathedral and studied at the Trondheim Music Conservatory. Arnesen received broad exposure when he composed music for the award-winning TV special, Christmas in Norway in 2013 In the USA his music has been performed at Carnegie Hall in conjunction with Distinguished Concerts International in New York, by the Saint Olaf Choir in Minnesota, at the Oregon Bach Festival and at The White House for President Barack Obama.

Sean Sterling - Florida Singing Sons, Soprano Guest Artist

Sean Sterling is a fourth-year member of Florida Singing Sons. As a member of Florida Singing Sons’ Concert Choir, he has performed at many venues in South Florida in addition to touring Italy last Summer. He has previously represented Florida Singing Sons as a featured guest soloist with the Broward Symphony Orchestra and the Nova Singers. A resident of Parkland, Sean is a 7th grade student at Westglades Middle School. Ethan Parra - Florida Singing Sons, Soprano Alternate

Ethan Parra has been a member of Florida Singing Sons since he was in fifth grade. He has previously represented Florida Singing Sons as a featured guest soloist with the Nova Singers in 2018. Ethan is a 7th grade student attending Pioneer Middle School in Cooper City.

THE GAY MEN’S CHORUS OF SOUTH FLORIDA

GUEST ARTISTS

Lissette Jimenez - Mezzo-soprano

Guest Artist

Known for a robust voice that is both “laser-like” and “opulent”, Lissette Jimenez enjoys performing a variety of musical styles and her concert appearances and operatic roles reflect this. She has been featured as a soloist at Illinois, West Virginia, New York, Austria, and Miami, FL in the works of Wagner, Mahler, Berlioz, Verdi, Bach, Handel, Mozart, Mendelssohn, Rossini, Machaut, as well as promoting the works of local composers in South Florida. In 2007, Miss Jimenez became a regular soloist for Miami Lyric Opera under the direction of Raffaelle Cardone in both gala concerts and opera roles, making her debut in the 2007 season as both Maddelena in Rigoletto and Rosina in Il Barbiere di Siviglia. Over the years, she has continued her collaboration with Miami Lyric Opera appearing as Alisa in Lucia di Lammermoor, Enrichetta in I Puritani, Suzuki in Madama Butterfly, La Zia Principessa in Suor Angelica, La Frugola in Il Tabarro, and Zita in Gianni Schicchi. She reprised her role of Suzuki in their 2017 production of Madama Butterfly. The Cuban Classical Ballet of Miami Guest Artists

Cuban Classical Ballet of Miami, a non-profit organization was founded in 2006 by Pedro Pablo Peña and is solely dedicated to performing and preserving the classical ballet repertoire as exemplified by the Cuban ballet tradition. One of CCBM’s goals is to establish a permanent classical ballet company and school that will preserve and further the tradition of the Cuban Classical School of ballet outside of Cuba. Currently under the artistic direction of Eriberto Jimenez, the Company has a regular yearly season that includes four programs, presented in several venues throughout Miami-Dade County, featuring guest Cuban principal dancers and soloists as well as CCBM corps the ballet. Born in Bogota, Columbia, with training in classical ballet, jazz, modern and contemporary dance, Eriberto Jimenez started his dance training at Triknia Kabhelioz Contemporary School of Dance. He was awarded scholarships to study at the Joffrey Ballet School in New York, the Ballet Academy of Miami, and the Miami Hispanic Ballet. Throughout the years he built his career as a leader, choreographer, soloist, professor and supporter of various dance schools and companies nationally and internationally. Eriberto is also the General Director of the Miami Hispanic Cultural Arts Center.

THE GAY MEN’S CHORUS OF SOUTH FLORIDA

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TONIGHT’S PROGRAM

ACT I Requiem of Solace Lissette Jimenez, mezzo-soprano, Sean Sterling, soprano and the Cuban Classical Ballet of Miami

Kim André Arnese

1) Requiem Aeternam Sponsored by Mark and Bob Benson with gratitude to our Artistic Director for bringing such a beautiful piece of music to the Chorus to perform in South Florida

2) Dies Irae 3) Not in Vain

Sponsored by Fred Boykin & Jack Killen in memory of all our friends who are gone too soon

4) Lacrimosa

Sponsored by the GMCSF Bass Section

You’ll Never Walk Alone/Climb Every Mountain from Carousel and The Sound of Music Lissette Jimenez, mezzo-soprano Richard Rodgers & Oscar Hammerstein Arr. by Mark Hayes Sponsored by Greg Stanton and Lee Sider

THE GAY MEN’S CHORUS OF SOUTH FLORIDA

PROGRAM NOTES

ACT I REQUIEM OF SOLACE The earliest monophonic plainchant renditions of the Requiem, or Mass for the Dead, date from the 9th century. As many as 105 variations of these ancient liturgical texts and chants have been identified by musicologists. In the 13th century, a long and stark poem composed by an unnamed mendicant friar began to appear in the rites. Beginning with the words Dies Irae (“day of wrath”), it manifested the fear of judgement and the desperate pleas for mercy that were characteristic of Medieval piety. Polyphonic forms for the liturgical text began to appear in the Renaissance. But there still was no textual consistency among the works. Echoing the sounds of the newly popular Opera, Baroque musical settings of the Requiem became far richer harmonically, rhythmically and dynamically. The text was now generally more unified following on the 16th century reform of the Roman Liturgy by Pope Pius V. The usual setting included at least the Introit (Requiem aeternam ), Kyrie Eleison, Sequence (Dies Irae), Offertory (Domine Jesu Christe), Sanctus, Agnus Dei and Communion (Lux aeterna). In the subsequent era of the Enlightenment, Mozart’s Requiem “set the bar” for compositions that followed. Mozart deconstructed the original 19 verses of the Dies Irae poem into at least 6 separate sections, a practice that has been consistently repeated since then. He, and subsequent composers, entitled each movement by the first word(s) of the quoted verses. The last two verses of the poem, Lacrimosa [Dies Illa] (“that most sorrowful day”) and Pie Jesu [Domine] (Merciful Lord Jesus), differ significantly in meter from the rest of the verses of this long poem and are believed to be older material eventually added to the friar’s work. Mozart made the Lacrimosa a separate movement. He never completed this section of his Requiem. It does seem plausible, however that he would have included a unique setting of the Pie Jesu as a separate movement to follow the Lacrimosa. The Requiem further evolved in the Romantic era, as composers such as Verdi and Berlioz gathered greater musical forces for performance of their masterworks. Brahms, completely discarding the Roman liturgical texts, coalesced his own text from the Lutheran Bible in his German Requiem. The two World Wars of the 20th Century had a profound impact on composers who turned to the Requiem form for inspiration. Perhaps best known among these is Benjamin Britten’s 1961 War Requiem. While some composers continued to write for the liturgy, once this migration from church to concert hall began, there was no stopping the evolution of musical forms away from established texts to new ones, including those borrowed from contemporaneous poetry.

THE GAY MEN’S CHORUS OF SOUTH FLORIDA

BY GMCSF CHORUS MEMBER JIM LOPRESTI

One website dedicated to archiving Requiem compositions lists over 5000 known works that are either full, or partial, vocal or orchestral, settings of the Requiem from chant originals to 21st century variations. They chart an inexorable course toward ever more expansive artistic expressions of the human struggle to give meaning to death and what comes afterward. In a message sent to the chorus in advance of tonight’s premiere performance of his arrangement for male voices, composer Kim André Arnesen said this about his own Requiem:

The Requiem was written in 2013/14 and is a work for solace in a moment of remembrance and honor of the dead. Unlike many settings of the requiem of the past, this work is not dedicated to any specific person or group of people, but is here to give comfort and hope to those who have experienced grief of losing loved ones. In this work I’m continuing the idea of incorporating newer poetry in addition to the Latin texts of the requiem mass. In Emily Dickinson’s poem “Not in vain”, she talks about helping those who suffer in deep grief and despair. It is a message of being sensitive for the welfare of others, of kindness and compassion. “We Remember Them” is based on a text from the Jewish Prayer Book. Often prayed on Holocaust Memorial Day the text reminds us how important it is to remember. As long as we remember and as long as we live, they too shall live. When we are dealing with death and loss, and when everything falls apart music can speak to us in a way that helps us reconnecting with life. Writing a requiem is very different from any other kind of compositions. When dealing with something so substantial as death and loss, spiritual and existential reflections come naturally. I’ve always had a big fascination for the requiem mass and especially the ones by Mozart and Fauré that have inspired me to become a composer. However, it’s not a type of work you would write just because it felt like a good idea, or that it was commissioned. For me, it was the loss of a close friend who committed suicide that triggered the need to deal with loss musically. So when the Nidaros Cathedral Boys’ Choir commissioned a new work I knew it was going to be a requiem. There are many different stages of grief and there is no right or wrong. Perhaps one of the most common feelings are guilt. Music is the need to stay in touch with yourself and express what is hidden inside you, says the music philosopher Peder C. Kjerschow. Some are angry at the one who have died because they left too early. Another common feeling is guilt because we don’t feel we did enough for the person who died. Especially after a suicide many feel they should have realized or done something differently. Or you might feel guilt for having occasionally happy feelings in the middle of grief. When you fight with a loved one in the morning before work it is usually forgotten in the evening. But what when your loved one never comes home. We can’t continued on next page

THE GAY MEN’S CHORUS OF SOUTH FLORIDA

PROGRAM NOTES

live our life as if it was the last day, but we all need comfort. Music can help when words are not enough and it can be a tool to get through something without really understanding how you did it. This, and other common stages of grief like shock, anger, depression and acceptance are all a part of this work throughout the various movements. Based on each own’s experiences, we will all listen differently, and just like there are no right or wrong in a time of grief, there are no right or wrong in the interpretation of music. How you listen and experience the work is just as important as my thoughts when writing it. We are all different and the landscape of grief is wide. ~Kim André Arnesen

A MUSICAL

ACT II

Nick Bottom and his brother Nigel are the lead characters in the 2015 Broadway hit Something Rotten, a musical farce set in late Renaissance England. The brothers are furious to learn that their backer is pulling funding from their play, Richard II because he has learned that their nemesis, William Shakespeare, has opened with his own version. Determined to find a way to outdo the great Bard, Nick steals from the family moneybox to pay a soothsayer, Thomas Nostradamus, the hapless nephew of the great seer of the day. When asked what the next big thing will be in theater, he tells Nick it will be a whole new form of entertainment, the “musical.” At first Nick finds it hard to fathom that anything so ridiculous as having an actor break into song in the middle of a script could actually win over an audience. Thomas, in his characteristic over the top enthusiasm, however, manages to sell the idea to Nick in “A Musical.” But his somewhat flawed ability to see into the future comically blurs the picture. Based on Thomas’ advice about how to turn the tables on their rock star rival and beat him to production, the brothers get to work writing Omelette: The Musical. This while their nemesis is writing Hamlet.

A MILLION DREAMS With Hugh Jackman in the starring role, Fox’s 2017 film, The Greatest Showman, tells the story of P.T. Barnum’s rise to fame and fortune as the inventor of a new genre of American entertainment. He intentionally gathered a cast of people with astonishing differences in appearance that many would have considered freakish, but who made his enterprise very lucrative. The unbridled optimism of the opening number, “A Million Dreams,” enlivens PT Barnum’s vision for himself and the family he wants to raise. The film received mixed reviews, but critics were generous in their praise for Benj Pasek and Justin Pault’s music. The duo already successfully showcased their creative genius in La La Land (lyrics) and Dear Evan Hansen (music and lyrics). Tampa Bay Times critic Steve Persall considers The Greatest Showman their “third ring, a circus extravaganza built on pillars of classic musical style that La La Land only brushed against. Nearly as old-fashioned as its 19th century period, the songs…always tug at modern emotions, ambitions and download demographics.” THE GAY MEN’S CHORUS OF SOUTH FLORIDA

BY GMCSF CHORUS MEMBER JIM LOPRESTI

(Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear (alla JOHANN Sebastian Bach) Early eighteen century Leipzig is quite a distance in time and geography from mid-20th century Memphis. And the intricate high Baroque music of Johann Sebastian Bach is certainly just as distant from Elvis Presley’s sultry rock and roll. Different as they are in time and in sonorities, however, both are towering figures of their day in Western music. Arranger Robert Delgado introduces them to each other, pairing Bach’s Baroque contrapuntal fashions with the King’s hit song composed by Bernie Lowe and Kal Mann for Elvis’ 1957 motion picture Loving You. Manila based Delgado is an internationally acclaimed choral composer and arranger who also specializes in choral music education. He has trained and showcased choirs and has adjudicated choral competitions across Asia, Europe and the US. Tropical Wave is presenting the premier performance of his male choral “Elvis meets Johann” arrangement this evening

THE ALTO’S LAMENT Lyricist Marcy Heisler met composer Zina Goldrich at a musical theater workshop in 1992, and they have been working together ever since. Their accomplishments include composing the songs for Julie Andrews’ The Great American Musical, a whimsical story about a troupe of mice staging their own show “under the boards” of the Sovereign Theater. In their musical adaptation of the 1998 film Ever After, Cinderella relies on her own wits and strength of character without need for any fairy godmother, mouse helpers or pumpkin carriages to achieve her own “ever after.” Heisler and Goldrich admit that their playful hit “Taylor the Latte Boy,” was written just after a slightly inebriated flirtation with a handsome young barista at Starbucks. It was a featured number in GMCSF’s June 2016 concert. In their 2009 CD, Marcy and Zina, Heisler performs this hilarious spoof on the plight of the Alto who may well be as talented and musically adept as anyone on stage, yet who is just about always confined to a supporting role for the spotlighted soprano. Perhaps a second tenor in a men’s chorus might best understand her.

FALLING IN LOVE WITH LOVE In their 1938 Broadway adaptation of Shakespeare’s Comedy of Errors, Rogers and Hart tell the story about two boys from ancient Syracuse, Anthipholus and his servant Dromio. They have traveled to Ephesus to find their long-lost twins who, to their amazement and the audience’s amusement, they will discover have the same names. Complications arise when the wives of the Ephesians mistake the two strangers for their husbands. Considering the lyrics not only of “Falling in Love” from this show, but of hits like “Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered,” and “Glad to be Unhappy” from Pal Joey, it’s understandable why playwright Jerome Lawrence named Lorenz Hart “the poet laureate of masochism.” On the 100th year of Hart’s birth, NY Times critic Stephen Holden noted that “many of Hart’s lyrics were the confessional outpourings of a hopeless romantic who loathed continued on next page

THE GAY MEN’S CHORUS OF SOUTH FLORIDA

PROGRAM NOTES

his own body.” A mere five feet tall, he considered himself an undesirable freak. He is often compared to Cole Porter for the witticism and tight inner rhymes of their lyrics. Unlike his more outrageous contemporary, however, he kept his gay identity thoroughly closeted while pursuing a secretive and tormented erotic life with occasional hints about his desires in his lyrics. He was less inclined than Porter to write about sex. Rather, he preferred to write about love. Surely, he wanted his own kind of love, but he could not quite name it. Love constantly eluded, and consistently disappointed, him.

BEFORE THE PARADE PASSES BY Among the many great performances in her decades long stage, television and film career, nothing eclipsed Carol Channing’s Tony award winning role as Dolly Levi in the beloved 1964 Broadway blockbuster Hello, Dolly! Widowed Levi, a strong-willed and irresistibly charming matchmaker, travels to Yonkers, New York, supposedly to arrange a match for the miserly “well-known unmarried half-a-millionaire” Horace Vandergelder. All the while she is fully aware that she wants Horace for herself. Still devoted to her late husband, Ephraim, she asks him for a sign that it is OK to marry Horace. Assured of his approval, she decides that now is the time to gain Horace’s attention and to move on with her life “before the parade passes by.” Hello, Dolly! ran for almost seven years on Broadway. In the summer of 1965, when Channing left to take the show on the road, Ginger Rogers assumed the title role. Other great Broadway divas, including Pearl Bailey and Ethel Merman later played it as well. And the recent Broadway revival brought Bette Midler and Bernadette Peters center stage. Even though she lost out to Barbra Streisand for the 1969 film, still the part always belonged to Carol Channing, who toured with revivals in 1977, 1982 and 1994. She claimed to have sung the lead over 5,000 times in her career. Just two months ago, Carol Channing departed this life. Undoubtedly, she still has a secure place in the hearts of everyone who has been enchanted by her voice, her charm and her captivating presence

YOU’LL NEVER WALK ALONE/CLIMB EVERY MOUNTAIN Mark Hayes paired “You’ll Never Walk Alone” from Carousel and “Climb Every Mountain” from Sound of Music in an arrangement commissioned for tonight’s premiere performance by GMCSF. Both Rogers and Hammerstein classic Broadway numbers are sung by female mentors to their female protagonists as soaring anthems of encouragement. Both songs, as well, close their respective shows in powerful reprises that reinforce the same message: Walk on and follow your dream despite any obstacles seemingly blocking your path forward or any fears threatening your resolve or any losses that have diminished your circle of loving relationships. Let it be “a dream that will bring all the love you can give, every day of your life for as long as you live.”

THE GAY MEN’S CHORUS OF SOUTH FLORIDA

GEORGE V. BROWN, III MEMORIAL FUND

IN LOVING MEMORY George V. Brown, III

At this concert of remembrance, we celebrate the life of departed Chorus member, George Brown. George became a member of the Gay Men’s Chorus of South Florida in March of 2016 and has been a cherished and inspiring presence. We are grateful to George’s husband, Gregg Kurek and his many friends and family members who have created the George V. Brown, III Memorial Fund. A native of Brookline, Massachusetts, George graduated from Brookline High School and Harvard College where he was an active member of the Harvard Glee Club. Upon graduation he joined the John Hancock Insurance Company as a mortgage loan analyst. His accomplishments at John Hancock included the financing of the property which became the City of Aventura, FL, the Watergate complex in Washington, D.C. and the John Hancock building in Chicago. In 1969 he joined the Fort Motor Company from which he retired in 1993 as Executive Director- Financial Services Group. During his tenure at Ford, he was instrumental in acquiring First Nationwide Financial Corp., U.S. Leasing, and the Associates Finance Company. He also spearheaded the financing of the Renaissance Center in Detroit. Post retirement, he became involved in community service in Douglas/Saugatuck Michigan. George also studied painting, and in 1999 he opened the Lion House Studio in Douglas. Throughout his life, music was a passion, and he sang in many Gilbert and Sullivan productions in community theatre as well as in local choruses. Upon moving to Florida as a full-time resident, he was able to fulfill a dream of joining the Gay Men’s Chorus of South Florida as a Tenor 1.

The George V. Brown, III Memorial Fund Gregg Kurek and the estate of George V. Brown, III David Balas & Jim Sellman Floyd Fleming Richard Kimmel & David Watt Diane and Gary Kurek John Lalley & John Rodriguez Max Matteson & Bud Baty Betty & Peter Meyerink George Stoutin & David Heilman Trudy & Tom Miller Judith Oberholtzer Christopher Seidel & Mike Mulcahy Lorraine & James Veldman

THE GAY MEN’S CHORUS OF SOUTH FLORIDA

FEATURED PERFORMERS

SOLOISTS

Fred Boykin

Scott Hindley

Justin Perry

François Ratzel

Jason Weston

AKOS MESTER Welcome to our special guest chorus member, joining in a cultural exchange from Denmark

TROPICAL WAVE

Tropical Wave Photo ID (from Left to Right) Felix Fidelibus, Harold Rodriguez, Derek Barbara, Antonio Corrente, Rick Heal, Joseph Cappiello, Justin Perry, Tony Walsh, Kenny Lewis, Charles Dizon Gracy, Mark Gracy, Scott Guffey, Tim Richardson, Charles Robinson, Doug Cureton, Johann Torres, Dustin Ewing Not Pictured: Chad Edgar & Steven Vertz

THE GMCSF DANCERS Michael Anthony, Fred Boykin,Joe Cappiello, Bert Cohen, Chad Edgar, Scott Hindley, Francois Ratzel, Bob Rose

THE GAY MEN’S CHORUS OF SOUTH FLORIDA

SINGING TONIGHT

Anthony Alacca

BJ Albright

Gregg Bennett

Mark Benson

Tom Burakowski

John Burch

Bruce Anderson Michael Anthony

David Baier

Robert Benson

Rex Beyer

Fred Boykin

Joe Cannon

Joseph Cappiello

John Chaffin

Christopher Chouinard

Bert Cohen

Antonio Corrente

Alex Crotts

Donald Croxton

Doug Cureton

Roubik Danelian

Jerry Day

Alejandro Diaz

Dan Drennan

THE GAY MENâ€™S CHORUS OF SOUTH FLORIDA

SINGING TONIGHT

Dustin Ewing

Al Ferguson

Doug Ferguson Richard Ferguson

James Ficke

Felix Fidelibus

Joseph Fletcher

Michael Foley

Stephen Fuller

Walt Gardner

Cary Giacalone

Charles Gracy

Mark Gracy

David Gray

Chuck Greer

Scott Guffey

Craig Hinman

Terry Hirsh

Rick Heal

Dean Hitsos

Ron Hess

Bradley Johnson

THE GAY MENâ€™S CHORUS OF SOUTH FLORIDA

Frank Ferri

Scott Hindley

Stephen Kaplan

SINGING TONIGHT

Peter Konrath

Wayne Laubscher

John Lewis

Kevin Mahoney

Tom Malone

Mark Mattson

Harold Noble

Jorge Ornelas, Jr.

Nick Orr

Kenny Lewis

Jim Lopresti

Rodrick Minnis

Jay Molluso

Bob Pennington

Justin Perry

Jason Pitt

Eduardo Pinto

Kenneth Pope

Brian Prenda

François Ratzel

Timothy Richardson

Charles Robinson

Harold Rodriguez

Bob Rose

David Rosenzweig

THE GAY MEN’S CHORUS OF SOUTH FLORIDA

SINGING TONIGHT

Steven Shapiro

Donald Small

Larry Small

Kewan Smith

Robert Smith

Bill Spinosa

Gregory Stanton

Daniel St. Gremane

Ansel Thompson

Don Tomasello

Johann Torres

Michael Valdez

David Van Cleaf

Steven Van Wie

Rick Vaughan

Steven Vertz

Preston Watkins

Jason Weston

Eric Ziegler

THE GAY MENâ€™S CHORUS OF SOUTH FLORIDA

Ray Willey

Aubrey Williams

SINGING TONIGHT

Singing Tonight But Not Pictured: Derek Barbara Pablo Castro Roly Del Rio Chad Edgar Warren Johnson Jonathan Ulysse

MEET OUR CONDUCTOR

Harold Dioquino

Artistic Director & Conductor

Mr. Dioquino has over 25 years of experience conducting vocal groups of various sizes and styles. He brings with him vast experience in all facets of musical performance—programming, research, music purchase, arranging vocal and instrumental parts, and rehearsing and conducting performances. Mr. Dioquino received his Bachelor in Music from University of the Immaculate Conception in Davao City in the Philippines. He is highly regarded for his excellent work with the Gay Men’s Chorus of South Florida and his artistic leadership of the singing group Dinggin, an acclaimed South Florida vocal ensemble. Mr. Dioquino is also the Director of Music for Church by the Sea, Bal Harbour.

THE GAY MEN’S CHORUS OF SOUTH FLORIDA

SING WITH US AUDITIONS

“I LOVE TO SING BECAUSE THROUGH WORDS WE CAN TRANSFORM LIVES.” - Kewan Smith Join the Gay Mens Chorus of South Florida. Be part of a large ensemble of caring men who sing for social change and personal growth. Come and experience the difference you can make!

AUDITIONS! JUNE 15th FOR MORE INFO: www.gmcsf.org

THE GAY MEN’S CHORUS OF SOUTH FLORIDA

A MESSAGE FROM THE CHORUS PRESIDENT

Dear Friends: My thoughts this concert cycle harbor on the enigmatic. I recall the first conversations with Maestro Dioquino and his vision for a cross-over; a mix of vastly different musical styles defining hope, joy and life. With tonight’s performance of ‘ From the Heavenly to the Divine’, the Gay Men’s Chorus of South Florida brings the world, Requiem for Solace by the renowned composer Kim Andre` Arnesen. A dirge, if you will, for the repose of the dead. A marvel of music granting eternal rest while maintaining hope in the midst of darkness. The chorus will then transport you on a Broadway journey meant to embrace life and instill joy. We will perform songs written to absorb emotions and blend them into something manageable. Inspired and motivated lyrics, finding strength in adversity yet allowing you to summon something deeper as a way to carry you through. It has been said that Ancient Egyptians believed that upon death they would be asked two questions and their answers would determine whether they could continue their journey in the afterlife. The first question was, “Did you bring joy?” The second was, “Did you find joy?” If you are alive, your mission on earth is NOT finished. It is the innocent hope and the youthful joy that leads us to the sense of community. For the many who have devoted their lives to love, understanding, service and spiritual growth, ‘ Inspiring through Song ‘ is a joyous blessing of this earthly life. Join me and the men of the chorus as we share what is our mission. Michael Valdez Chorus President

THE GAY MEN’S CHORUS OF SOUTH FLORIDA

GMCSF LEADERSHIP

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Gerry Kennedy

Paul Abad

Mark Benson

Donald Croxton

Christopher Chouinard

Bill Elliott

Stephen Fuller

Doug Pew

Mimi Pink

Paul Rolli

Chairman, Board of Directors

Pat Seddon

Bill Spinosa

Michael Valdez Chorus President

Boggy Wang

CHORUS LEADERSHIP TEAM

Front Row: Fred Boykin, Vice President, Michael Valdez, President, Brian Prenda, Tenor 1 Section Administrator Middle Row: Dustin Ewing, Tenor 2 Section Administrator, Christopher Chouinard, Treasurer, Gregg Bennett, Bass Section Administrator, Rick Vaughan, Secretary Back Row: Bill Spinosa, VP for Membership Not pictured: Joe Fletcher, Baritone Section Administrator,

THE GAY MEN’S CHORUS OF SOUTH FLORIDA

GMCSF LEADERSHIP

STAFF

Doug Leib

Oﬃce Manager

Mark B. Kent

Executive Director

VOLUNTEER COMMITTEES Artistic Planning Team Harold Dioquino, Chair, Artistic Director & Conductor Doug Cureton Gerry Kennedy James Smith Michael Valdez Tony Walsh Jim Lopresti Chorus Fundraising Fred Boykin, Chair Hal Noble Stephen Fuller Membership Bill Spinosa, Chair, Greg Bennett Brian Prenda Dustin Ewing Joseph Fletcher

Marketing & Public Relations Doug Ferguson LaCre Hamlet Scott Hindley Erick Eldridge John Burch Bill Spinosa Rusty McNeely Ostmar Aleman Doug Ferguson Bill Elliott Stephen Fuller Norman Extract Andy Perrott Denise Wissman Andrew Low Harold Rodriguez Kris Jarman Michael Valdez Wardrobe Committee Bob Artale, Co-chair Joe Fletcher, Co-chair Skip Panse

We Care Committee Brian Prenda, Chair, Robert Benson James Ficke Social Committee Donald Tomasello, Co-chair Tony Corrente, Co-chair David Baier Mark Benson Rodney Bolton Bob Blount John Burch Alex Crott s Dean Hitsos David Littlefield Alan McKnight Donald Small Office Support Tony Corrente Dustin Ewing Howard Yopp

THE GAY MEN’S CHORUS OF SOUTH FLORIDA

OUR ORGANIZATION ARTISTIC TEAM Artistic Director / Conductor: Harold Dioquino Production Director: James Smith Creative Consultant: Kurt Litzenberger Principal Accompanist: Chris Toth CHORUS LEADERSHIP TEAM President: Michael Valdez Vice President: Fred Boykin Secretary: Rick Vaughan Treasurer: Christopher Chouinard Vice President Membership: Bill Spinosa Tenor One Administrator: Brian Prenda Tenor Two Administrator: Dustin Ewing Baritone Administrator: Joe Fletcher Bass Administrator: Gregg Bennett CHORUS STAFF Executive Director: Mark Kent Office Manager/ Bookkeeper: Doug Leib Office Volunteers: Howard Yopp Tony Corrente Dustin Ewing Usher Program Coordinator: Chuck Spragg Communications/ One Voice Editor: Jerry Day

Chorus Photographer: Ginny Dixon Marketing & Social Media: Lightship Studios CHORUS MEMBERS Tenor One Derek Barbara Bob Blount Rodney Bolton Fred Boykin Joe Cannon Ray Cataneo Antonio Corrente Alex Crotts Chad Edgar Doug Ferguson Alexander Gonzalez LaCré Hamlet Nick Orr Justin Perry Kenneth Pope Brian Prenda Daniel St. Germaine Ansel Thompson Steven Vertz Preston Watkins Tenor Two Bruce Anderson Addison Breen Bert Cohen Doug Cureton Roly Del Rio Alejandro Diaz Dustin Ewing Kevin Fortney Walter Gardner Charles Gracy Chuck Greer Scott Guffey Rick Heal Warren Johnson John Klomp Peter Konrath Wayne Laubscher Kenny Lewis A. Ray Lockley Anthony J. Molluso Harold Noble Miguelanjel O’Dell-Perez Jorge Ornelas, Jr.

Eduardo Pinto Steve Piper François Ratzel Brent Simmons Robert Smith Dennis St. Jean Johann Torres Jonathan Ulysse Jason Weston Ray Willey Baritone Anthony Alacca Michael Anthony Bob Artale David Baier Mark Benson Robert Benson Tom Burakowski Derek Carper Pablo Castro John Catenaci John Chaffin Christopher Chouinard Daniel Drennen Kevin R. Evelyn Al Ferguson Frank Ferri Joseph Fletcher Michael Foley Cary Giacalone Mark Gracy David Gray Paul Guariglia Ronald Hess Craig Hinman Dean Hitsos Ronnie Jones, Jr. Stephen Kaplan John Lewis David R. Littlefield Mark Mattson James O’Dell-Perez Skip (George) Panse Bob Pennington Timothy Richardson Charles Robinson Steven Shapiro Larry Small Bill Spinosa Gregory Stanton Eric Strom Josel Suarez David Van Cleaf Rick Vaughan

THE GAY MEN’S CHORUS OF SOUTH FLORIDA

Tony Walsh Eric Ziegler Bass B.J. Albright Gregg Bennett Rex Beyer John Burch Joseph Cappiello Donald Croxton Roubik Danelian Jerry Day Richard Ferguson James Ficke Felix Fidelibus Stephen Fuller Scott Hindley Terry Hirsh Bradley Johnson Bill Kennedy Jim Lopresti Kevin Mahoney Tom Malone Alan McKnight Rodrick Minnis Jason Pitt Harold Rodriguez Bob Rose David Rosenzweig Donald Small Kewan Smith Don Tomasello Michael Valdez Steven Van Wie Charlie Walter Aubrey Williams IN MEMORIAM: OUR “FIFTH SECTION” George Brown Gary Corbitt Greg Futchi John Hohl Ray King Al LaMorges John Morrow Thomas O’Bryant Elvin Ruiz NON-SINGING MEMBERS” Philip Morris James Smith

OUR DONOR HIGHLIGHTS

More than 400 Guests Festively Fund the Future! On Sunday, March 10 more than 400 guests donned masks, beads and Mardi Gras regalia for the Gay Men’s Chorus of South Florida’s annual fundraising brunch at the gorgeous Pier Sixty-Six Hotel & Marina. The live and silent auctions were a huge success, and guests enjoyed seeing the prize wheel in action again this year. The Al LaMorges Community Leadership Award was presented to Mark Hunter and Patrick Volkert of Hunters Nightclub. With toe-tapping entertainment and a beautifully plated brunch, guests once again had fantastic fun supporting the Chorus’s mission of “Inspiring through Song.” Thank you to our brunch sponsors, Pier Sixty-Six Hotel & Marina, Pride Card Services, Freedom Travel, SFGN, and Brand g.

THE GAY MEN’S CHORUS OF SOUTH FLORIDA

HELP MAKE THE MUSIC POSSIBLE GMCSF is going places, and we want to take you with us! As we build bridges across new communities, explore diﬀerent venues, and collaborate with community partners, we are opening more hearts and changing more minds than ever before. See below for information on levels of giving and how to make your tax-deductible contribution. Join us today on our journey to make your community a better place through the power of music.

2018-2019 Choral Society - Levels of Giving and Beneﬁts -

Friend (up to $99) Supporter ($100 to $249) Program and website listing Patron ($250 to $499)

Program and website listing

Conductor’s Circle

Conductor’s Circle donors form the foundation for future growth and financial stability of the Chorus. With an annual gift totaling $500 or more, you reap additional exclusive benefits including invitations to special events, and opportunities to mingle with our singers and guest artists. We are excited to present an expanded suite of exclusive benefits for our Conductor’s Circle donors. These gift s are an investment in our future fostering artistic excellence and guaranteeing that the voices of the Gay Men’s Chorus of South Florida will be heard in the years to come.

Benefactor ($500 to $999) Concierge ticket service Program and website listing

Stakeholder ($1,000 to $1,499) above benefits plus: Invitation to Conductors Circle concert receptions VIP parking at Sunshine Cathedral

THE GAY MEN’S CHORUS OF SOUTH FLORIDA

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DONORS & SPONSORS

Director ($1,500 to $2,499) above benefits plus: 4 Tickets to Holidays at Hard Rock Live (deadline November 1st) Invitation to one concert rehearsal and wine reception Producer ($2,500 to $4,999) above benefits plus: Invitation to the Chorusâ€™s End of the Year Dinner 4 Tickets to our Cabaret Show, Proud Mary (deadline March 15) Diva ($5,000 to $9,999) above benefits plus:

A private performance by a soloist* Invitation to join the chorus on their weekend rehearsal retreat

Composer ($10,000 to $19,999) above benefits plus:

One private performance by the Tropical Wave* Private VIP dinner with Artistic Director and Executive Director Acknowledgment from stage

Maestro ($20,000 plus) above benefits plus: Sponsorship of one main concert Photo and biography in program 6 VIP Tickets to main concerts series and cabaret (total of 24) *performance details to be approved by GMCSF at least 90 days in advance

To Inspire Our Audiences, Move Spirits, Open Minds, and Change Hearts Through the Quality of Our Music, the Power of Our Words, and the Sight of Our Joy Giving is Easy! You can donate easily by going online at www.gmcsf.org or by contacting Mark B. Kent at (954) 763-2266 ext. 109 or mkent@gmcsf.org

THE GAY MENâ€™S CHORUS OF SOUTH FLORIDA

THE GMCSF CHORAL SOCIETY AS OF MARCH 1, 2019

MAESTRO ($20,000 Plus) Douglas Pew & Donald Croxton COMPOSER ($10,000 to $19,999) Gregg Kurek & The George V. Brown III Memorial Fund Paul Rolli & Bennett Quade DIVA ($5,000 to $9,999) Fred Boykin & Jack Killen Philip K. Cordell William Elliott Gerald O. Kennedy & Paul Smith Hamish’s Fund at Our Fund George “Dan” Prigmore & Marcia Hayes Rick Vaughan & Walter Sherman PRODUCER ($2,500 to $4,999) Mark Benson & Robert Benson Tyler F. Healis Paul Hoff & Charles Poole Patricia L. Seddon Donald J. Tomasello & Robert Pagano Kerry Waldee & Joe Fletcher DIRECTOR ($1,500 to $2,499) Steven Begert-Clark & Tom Begert-Clark Harold Dioquino Douglas Ferguson Stephen Fuller Jayant Goyle & Gregory Dudzek Mark B. Kent & Kevin Daft George A. Kling John Klomp & Joe Brannen Ron J. MacDonald Mimi C Pink Harvey Shapiro & Mike Dager William V. Spinosa & Frank Molano Murry Stegelmann STAKEHOLDERS ($1,000 to $1,499) Anonymous Cash Louis Benevento & Patrick Duff y Dan Chadburn & Tom Nichols Christopher Chouinard Kenneth I. Flick & D.C. Allen Glenn Goldberg Sidney Goldenberg Paul Guariglia Herbert King Steve Oden & Mike Greer Greg Stanton & Lee Sider Mr. James Stepp & Peter Zimmer Michael Valdez & Jeffrey Thomas BENEFACTOR ($500—$999) BJ Albright & Phillip Morris Gregg Bennett Rex Beyer & Nick Meyer Joe Cannon Philip N. Dearborn Robert Delehanty Michael Ekman Martha Fleishman

Dr. R. Wayne Gibson James Graham & Dan Campeau Steve Gray Marc Grossman Steven P. Kavanaugh Mr. Mark Kight & Robert Morrow Jeffery Lammers & James A. McLaughlin Jeff Morr Amina Perunko Dr. Runar Polluson & Robert Pinsky Gary Sambol Larry Scott & Frank Zurek Ms. Constance St. Jean Tony Walsh & Richard Johnson Preston Watkins & Phil Cross Ellen and Bob Yerman, with Love to Hayden & Erin PATRON ($250 to $499) Baritones Bass Section William Beck & Peter Flyzik Bryon Bowlby & Robert Baldwin A. J. Jabre William Jaume & David Schrock David Jobin & Angel Burgos Mr. Nate Klarfeld Paul Posse-Abad & Gus Posse-Abad Fred Schieferstein & Kenneth Shanahan Ralph Stivali Eric Ziegler & Ross Kemp

ARE YOU A FRIEND OF FELICIA?

Want to give on a monthly basis? Sign up to become a Friend of Felicia! Felicia the Flamingo is our beloved mascot, and she is bringing all her friends together in a flock of support for GMCSF. Felicia knows charitable, tax-deductible donations are crucial to the success of GMCSF. Felicia makes giving easy through automatic monthly payments charged to your credit or debit card. For more information contact,

Mark B. Kent, Executive Director (954) 763-2266 ext. 109 mkent@gmcsf.org

THE GAY MEN’S CHORUS OF SOUTH FLORIDA

DONORS & SPONSORS SUPPORTER ($100 to $249) AmazonSmile Foundation J. B. Ayers III & Paul Dobrea Herbert Bachmann Jeffrey Banning William Britt Paul Bryers & Christopher Ryan Mark Budwig J. W. Calcaterra Jason Cooke & George Castrataro Audrey Coughlin & Edward Coughlin Ginny Dixon & Gisella Oliveira George E. Douglas & Ray Wieder Doug Eney Dustin Ewing Garrie Fanning Marcus Flanagan Ruth & Charles Greenfield Peter Grossman & Lawrence Timmins Carlos Guerra, P.A. Doris Herrera-Pol Amy Howard & Thomas Wynkoop Fred Humphreys & Thomas Marten Row Iliescu Richard Jannotti David Jobin & Angel Burgos George Johnson Lee Kaplan Richard Kimmel & David Watt Diane & Gary Kurek John Lalley & Dan Rodriguez Liliana Lamas Robert Lindsay LPL Financial Foundation Michael Mendillo Melanie Merriman Trudy & Tom Miller Kim Nickelson Sguros Harold Noble & Douglas Peachey Jorge Omelas, Jr. Harvey Owen & Bill Kreidler John Pritchard David Ratcliffe Charles Robinson Kenny Russell Laurie Schecter Christopher Seidel & Michael Mulcahy Tedd Simmons & Tavo Vega Larry Small & David Burba Susan Solman Jeffery St Julien Van J. Stewart GMCSF Tenor 1 Section Geoffrey Thornton Christopher Toth Sharon & Edwin Wigutoff James D Yager Howard Yopp

FRIEND ($0.00 to $99.00) Armando Acevedo Halil Akkor

David Balas & James Sellman Dana Banker Scott Barnes Thomas Batina Charles Beavin Charles Bell Edward Breeden Terrence Brennan Michael Brison Dr. William Bryan & Samuel Fata Robert Caruso Robert Castoro John Chaffin Martin Childers Nancy Ching Charles Collett a Dr. Daniel Cotlowitz Mary Dickens Mary Dirubbo Janet Dunn-Stark Irma Emery Jack Farci & Juan Bujosa Floyd Fleming Daniel Fountaine John Frantz Edmund Gerhardt & Anthony Petronella Cary Giacalone Charles Gracy & Mark Gracy Glen Gygax Polly Hemstock William Hines Terry Hirsh G. Richard Huitema Jeffrey Janski & Robert Starman Bradley Johnson Hillary Josephs Kenneth Keechl, P.A. John Lacy Normand J. Leclair Chuck Lemire Peter Lichtenthal Donald Locascio & Robert Murphy Terry Martinez Max Matteson & Eddy Baty Valen Mayland Bett y Meyerink Lisa Morris Joseph A. Moschiano Mr. Peter Oberdorf Judith Oberholtzer Pfizer Foundation Matching Gift John Puig & Wayne Laubscher Thelma Reese David Saylor Sharon Scales S.J. Schlafer David Seed Daniel Selvin John Spazzarini Ansel Thompson Jerry Tvrdik Emilio Urioste Lorraine & James Veldman Anthony Virostko

THE GAY MENâ€™S CHORUS OF SOUTH FLORIDA

DONORS & SPONSORS GOVERNMENT FUNDING PROVIDED BY

Funding for this organization is provided in part by the Board of County Commissioners of Broward County, Florida, as recommended by the Broward Cultural Council.

CORPORATE VOICES GMCSF is grateful for the financial support from the following businesses

FOUNDATION SUPPORT Programming and operations generously supported by the following foundations

GULFSTREAM PHILANTHROPIC FOUNDATION

THE GAY MENâ€™S CHORUS OF SOUTH FLORIDA

PEGASUS SOCIETY

WE’VE COME SO FAR IN OUR LIFETIME. Let’s Keep the Momentum Going!

Many of us still recall the days when television would never show two people of the same gender share a kiss…or even hold hands. Now we live in a time when the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled in favor of marriage equality. We’ve accomplished so much, yet there is so much more to do. Since the late 1970s the LGBT Choral Movement has been a crucial tool for advocacy, unity and education. The Gay Men’s Chorus of South Florida is proud to continue this legacy through our music. We are proud to serve as cultural ambassadors for our community and provide a voice for those who do not have one. Help ensure this work continues by joining The Pegasus Society planned giving program. By including the Gay Men’s Chorus of South Florida in your estate planning, you can help sustain our organization and keep our voices carrying long into the future. We invite you to join the members of The Pegasus Society today. Contact us at: (954) 763-2266 ext. 109 or mkent@gmcsf.org for more information.

The Pegasus Society John Burch Bob Pagano Charles Nicoll Don Tomasello Donald Croxton Doug Pew George Kling Mitchell Grant

Gerald Kennedy Greg Futchi (of blessed memory) Fred Boykin Jack Killen John Hohl (of blessed memory) Marty Kaplan Christopher Chouinard

Paul Smith Peter Kimball Robert Beardsley Mark & Robert Benson Ralph Stivali Al LaMorges (of blessed memory)

“Being a member of The Pegasus Society is important to us because we believe and support the mission of the Chorus to open hearts and change minds and because music has always been a very important part of our lives.” —Don Tomasello and Bob Pagano THE GAY MEN’S CHORUS OF SOUTH FLORIDA

OUR UPCOMING GALA BRUNCH

THE GAY MENâ€™S CHORUS OF SOUTH FLORIDA

OUR UPCOMING JUNE CONCERT

THE GAY MENâ€™S CHORUS OF SOUTH FLORIDA

AUDITIONS

Volunteer to be part of our amazing family! We are looking for Production & Stage Crew. volunteer@gmcsf.org

Bona Italian REstaurant

Join us before or after the show Reservations 954f-565-7222

From Beethoven to Broadway, Bach to Bernstein, The Chorus performs works by the full range of beloved classical and contemporary composers.

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