Gay, Lesbian and Allied Musicians Youth Chorus (GLAM)
Queer Youth Choir Launches in SF
Published: November 17, 2005
San Francisco is poised to launch its first queer youth chorus. GLAM (Gay, Lesbian & Allied Musicians) Youth Choir will encourage youth of all persuasions and musical abilities to have fun together while raising public awareness.
Inspired by three of North America’s already established queer youth choruses and a choir for homeless adults in Australia, a group of arts and non-profit professionals began planning in early 2005 to form a queer youth chorus based in San Francisco. In June 2005, GLASS (Gay, Lesbian & Supportive Singers) Youth Choir from Vancouver, Canada, visited San Francisco and performed at the Pride Concert and in the Pride Parade, and an alliance with that organization was forged. GLAM Steering Committee Chair, Dr. Kathleen McGuire, said: “The first time I saw a queer youth choir perform, a few years ago a conference in Portland, I knew that this was something we needed in San Francisco. I wish there had been something like this available when I was a teenager.”
It was decided that GLAM would be a non-auditioned “show choir,” making it accessible to many different types of performers, including singers, instrumentalists and dancers. San Francisco is home to many GLBTQ youth who have had to leave their homes of origin due to their sexual orientation or gender identity. As such, it was determined that GLAM would be accessible to all youth, regardless of their financial means or living situation. Membership will be open to youth aged 12 to 22. A Steering Committee will guide the organization through its formative stages, and leaders from many and various parts of the community will be encouraged to participate.
Several organizations have already stepped forward to become GLAM’s Founding Community Partners: Betty’s List, Golden Gate Performing Arts, Inc., and the Metropolitan Community Foundation. More Community Partners are being sought for a minimum of $500 of donated funds, goods or services.
Rehearsals for GLAM are planned to begin in February on Wednesday afternoons, and the group’s first formal appearance is scheduled for the 28th Annual Pride Concert on Friday, June 23, 7 pm at Yerba Buena Performing Arts Center.
A GLAM Friend/Fund Raiser Brunch will be held on Saturday, Nov. 19, 11 am at 608 Noe Street @ 19th hosted by Dr. Betty L. Sullivan, Jim Freeman and the GLAM Steering Committee. Donations of $25- $50 are requested, but no one will be turned away due to lack of funds. Music at the event will be provided by Stephanie Smith and Friends. To RVSP or for more information, Ph:865-2745, GLAMYouthChoir@yahoo.com.
-By Kathleen McGuire, GLAM Steering Committee Chair
MISSION STATEMENT
The San Francisco-based Gay, Lesbian & Allied Musicians (GLAM) Youth Show Choir fosters the acceptance of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer youth and their allies by empowering and inspiring its members and community through mentorship, education, and musical presentations. GLAM provides a welcoming, safe and creative arena for all youth, regardless of their financial status, housing
situation, sexual orientation or gender identity.
FOUNDERS
Aidan Dunn, Kathleen McGuire, Scott Mills, Stephanie Smith
FOUNDING MEMBERS
To be named…
STAFF (as of August 4, 2005)
Aidan Dunn, Manager
Buddy Symes, Music Director
Stephanie Smith, Pianist
Buddy Symes, Music Director – Biography
Buddy Symes served as Artistic Director and Conductor of the Silicon Valley Gay Men's Chorus from 1993 to 2003. Under his leadership, the SVGMC maintained a 3 concert per season performance schedule and produced two CD recordings. Prior to conducting, he sang with the Dick Kramer Gay Men's Chorale and the Golden Gate Men's Chorus. His recordings include original works by composer Dr. J. A. Kawarsky. He sang the role of Bobby Griffith in Prayers for Bobby, and the role of a love-torn teenager in Alec Baldwin Doesn't Love Me. His college and community theater experience includes leading roles in The King and I, The Student Prince, Mack and Mabel and others. In high school, Buddy performed for three years with the Youth of America-On Stage, sponsored by Pepsi-Cola, and recorded their commercial jingle Catch that Pepsi Spirit. Buddy served as a missionary in Brazil for the Mormon Church. He lives in San Francisco and Sonoma County with his husband James and their two dogs.
STEERING COMMITTEE (as of Aug. 4, 2005)
Aidan Dunn
Executive Director, Youth Gender Project; Vice President, San Francisco Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual Transgender Pride Celebration Committee; member of the San Francisco Lesbian/Gay Freedom Band; member of the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus
Dr. Kathleen McGuire (Chair)
Artistic Director, San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus; Conductor, Community Women’s Orchestra; Music Teacher, Convent of the Sacred Heart High School
Daniel Hughes – Community Choirs Repertoire & Standards Committee Chair, Western Division, American Choral Directors Association (ACDA); Artistic Director, The Choral Project; Artistic Director, Silicon Valley Gay Men’s Chorus
Scott Mills – Music Director, Vocal Minority; member of the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus
Stephanie Smith – Music Director, Metropolitan Community Church of San Francisco; Artistic Director, Lesbian Gay Chorus of San Francisco; Music Teacher, Harvey Milk Civil Rights Academy
Buddy Symes – see above
GOALS FOR FIRST YEAR:
Organizational:
• Develop the Steering Committee - increase its size and scope;
• Recruit volunteer staff to fill necessary roles (e.g. manager, music director, pianist);
• *Recruit volunteer to help administer and manage;
• Obtain police clearances for staff /volunteers working directly with members;
• Create Membership Handbook;
• Establish a website and telephone message line;
• Hold monthly meetings of the Steering Committee;
• Provide mentorship to members (e.g. professional social worker at rehearsals);
• Provide snacks at rehearsals.
Financial:
• Establish fiscal agent representation (completed)
• Solicit contributions (cash & in-kind);
• Establish 16 Community Partnerships (8 in-kind; 8 cash);
• Organize community fund raising (e.g. street fairs, house parties);
• Write grants (e.g. Horizons Foundation);
• Ensure that all interested and eligible youth can afford to participate in GLAM.
Artistic & PR Goals:
• Find a suitable rehearsal space (completed)
• Select music and establish rehearsal schedule;
• Advertise membership to youth organizations, schools etc.;
• Begin rehearsals in February, 2006;
• Build an ensemble of 15-25 GLBTQA youth musicians;
• Provide uniforms/costumes to members;
• Promote GLAM in the wider community;
• Perform at the Annual Pride Concert on Friday, June 23rd, 2006.
*Volunteers Needed:
Sample list only – many other skills welcome!
• Webmaster
• Membership coordinator
• Treasurer/Financial
• Marketing/PR
• Music librarian
• Production crew
• Hospitality
• Rehearsal manager
• Social worker
• Community liaison
Community Partners Program
GLAM Youth Show Choir welcomes a variety of organizations and individuals as Community Partners. Community Partners offer guidance and support, as well as assistance in increasing GLAM’s visibility in the community.
Partnership vs. Sponsorship?
Community Partners are organizations or individuals that wish to contribute goods and services but also are committed to GLAM's mission and wish to be involved in helping in its development (e.g. by serving on the steering committee, helping promote GLAM to its constituents, providing moral support and professional guidance). As such, a Community Partner is an active participant and more than simply a gift-giver.
Organizations, corporations or individuals who prefer only to make a gift are listed as sponsors or donors as appropriate.
What a Community Partner (CP) gets from GLAM
- Community Partners in 2005/2006 will be GLAM's "Founding" Community Partners for the longevity of the organization;
- CP's name or logo will be listed on GLAM’s letterhead and marketing/PR materials;
- Each CP will receive an invitation for one representative to serve on the GLAM Steering Committee;
- CPs will receive special invitations to fundraising and performance events.
Cost of a Community Partnership
$500+ in donated cash and/or in-kind services. Funds may be donated over a 12-month period via credit card deductions. Donations should be made via our fiscal agent: [FISCAL AGENT'S NAME HERE]. Donations are tax deductible to the extent permitted by law.
Goal for FY 05/06
It is hoped that as many as sixteen organizations or individuals will choose to become Founding Community Partners during GLAM’s inaugural year.
Community Partners as of November 1, 2005
Betty’s List/Sullivan Communications
Golden Gate Performing Arts, Inc.
Lesbian/Gay Chorus of San Francisco
Metropolitan Community Church, San Francisco