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“If we don’t tell our story, who will?”

Twin Cities Gay Men’s Chorus tells the stories of our community. While we sing about the gay experience, we hope that everyone in our audience relates to a song, a lyric or a single moment that they find relevant to their own life experiences. For in that moment, there is greater understanding, and our community grows a little larger.

Since its first concert 30 years ago, the Chorus has commissioned over 30 new works for men’s choruses. In 2008, the Chorus commissioned Through a Glass, Darkly, a 40-minute piece about the impact of methamphetamine addition in the gay community. Its message of addiction, recovery and hope spoke not just to the gay community but found relevance among all out audience. The work was commissioned specifically for GALA Festival 2008. It has since been broadcast on Twin Cities Public Television and the Chorus has performed the work as part of its outreach efforts. Ten choruses in the United States and England now have plans to perform the work in their respective communities. The Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington, D.C. and Philadelphia Gay Men’s Chorus performed the work in June of 2009 and April of 2010, respectively. San Diego Gay Men’s Chorus will perform the work in April of 2011.

During our 29th season, the Chorus commissioned The Kushner Trilogy, a new work based on texts by award-winning playwright Tony Kushner, including I Want More Life, from his landmark play Angels in America, Part II: Perestroika and set to music by Michael Shaieb (Through a Glass, Darkly), originally commissioned for the Guthrie Theater’s Kushner Celebration in 2009. The trilogy had its world premiere at the Chorus’s spring concert, LifeSongs, on March 26-27, 2010.

For GALA Festival 2012, the Chorus commissioned Out of My Range (and Other Age Related Performance Issues). Rehearsals and social events leading up to their next concert serve as the backdrop for a whimsical, fun, and revealing look at the age dynamics at play inside a gay men’s chorus. This “backstage” song cycle pulls back the curtain on generational differences within a chorus.

The commissioning of new music is part of this organization’s legacy, and the Chorus includes all of you as a part of defining that legacy. These works were made possible from funding and contributions from many of you. When you support Twin Cities Gay Men’s Chorus, you are a stakeholder in the future and the long lasting legacy of this group.

Here is a list of new music commissions since 2000:

i thank you god: Music by Craig Carnahan, text by e. e. cummings. Commissioned for the Twin Cities Gay Men’s Chorus by Michael Branscom.

Metamorphosis: Music by Robert Seeley, Lyrics by Robert Espindola. Commissioned by Dwight Joyner.

Dedicated to Blake Harrison Joyner, 1954-2000: We miss your broad smile and blue eyes, your buoyant approach and sharing your dreams. This commission is the story of many voices. Its beauty and passion will enrich lives just as you enriched our lives. We love you, Dad and Dwight, Thanksgiving, 2003.

Undying Music | To Feed Pure Love | To Make Music: Music by Stephen Paulus, Lyrics adapted from George Eliot’s (1819-1880) poem “O May I Join the Choir Invisible”

Commissioned for the 25^th Anniversary of the Twin Cities Gay Mens Chorus, we dedicate this work to all members of the Chorus; Past and present and future. Thank you for your brave leadership, outstanding performances and inspiring vision. John & Karen Larsen, Steve & Kris Rose, John Larsen & Michael Stewart

This Winter’s Night: Music by Craig Carnahan, Text by Ursula Vaughn-Williams. Commissioned by Dr. Stan Hill.

Commissioned for the 25^th Anniversary of the Twin Cities Gay Mens Chorus

At Home: Music and Lyrics by Michael Stebnitz. Commissioned by the TCGMC Carol Competition.

Wolcum Yole! Words and Music by Matt Prather (ASCAP). Commissioned by Dr. Stan Hill for the “Peace” concert.

I Want a Homespun Christmas: Commissioned by the TCGMC Carol Competition.

Through a Glass, Darkly: Music and Lyrics by Michael Shaieb. Commissioned through the generosity of Alan Braun.

Dedicated to all of the people and friends who have helped me find the miracle of recovery; With hope that many others will join us.

No One Writes Carols Anymore: Music and Lyrics by Mike Stebnitz. Commissioned by the TCGMC Carol Competition.

Just Give Me Peace! Commissioned by the TCGMC Carol Competition.

Peace in Your Heart: Commissioned by the TCGMC Carol Competition.

The Kushner Trilogy: It is Very Simple | There is a Little House in Heaven | I Want More Life: Music by Michael Shaieb, text adapted from the works of Tony Kushner. Underwritten through the generosity of Jeffrey D. Bores and Michael Hawkins.

Out of My Range (and Other Age Related Performance Issues: Book by Michael Shaieb and Brent Lord; Music and Lyrics by Michael Shaieb