Cincinnati Mens Chorus

The Cincinnati Men's Chorus (CMC) is a volunteer, not-for-profit community chorus, incorporated as the Queen City Performing Arts Organization. CMC pursues the dual goals of musical excellence and the promotion of social justice. Through the medium of choral singing, CMC strives to promote respect for all groups and sexual orientations. The chorus is open to both gay and gay-supportive men, and provides social and fellowship opportunities for its members.

The Cincinnati Men's Chorus was born in the summer of 1991, when nine men, including three choral directors, came forward to form a steering committee. With the help of Dr. Catherine Roma, director of MUSE, Cincinnati's Women's Choir, the first rehearsal on October 1 brought together sixty men from varied backgrounds. December 18, 1991 marked the debut performance of CMC with a holiday concert entitled "Tidings of Pride and Joy" performed at Cincinnati's First Unitarian Church.

The artistic direction of the chorus during the first two seasons was shared by Crafton Beck, John Farrell, and Kent Peterson. Kent Peterson continued as the sole Artistic Director in CMC's third and fourth seasons, succeeded the following season by the current Artistic Director, Dr. Patrick O. Coyle, now in his 14th year in that capacity.

The genesis of CMC lies in the gay and lesbian choral movement, supported by the Gay and Lesbian Association of Choruses (GALA). CMC has the distinction of becoming the 100th member chorus of GALA. CMC has participated in four GALA international choral festivals: Tampa (1996), San Jose (2000), Montreal (2004), and Miami (2008).

In addition to an annual subscription concert series, CMC participates in community choruses and stages a variety of outreach appearances in the Greater Cincinnati area and regionally. The chorus has collaborated and performed with many arts organizations including the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra, the Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra, MUSE, the Cincinnati Ballet, and the GALA choruses of Cleveland, Columbus, Dayton, Detroit, Indianapolis, Lexington, and Louisville.

CMC is responsible for the creation of numerous new works and new arrangements for men's voices. In 2000, CMC commissioned and performed "Hearing Voices," a song-cycle chronicling the history of gay men in the 20th Century. CMC has also produced six CD recordings.

The concert venue for the chorus as of 2008 is the Harriet Tubman Theater at Cincinnati's National Underground Railroad Freedom Center. Past venues for the chorus in Cincinnati include Emery Auditorium, Memorial Hall, and the Jarson-Kaplan Theater of the Aronoff Center for the Arts.

Text by Steve Hutzel of the Cincinnati Men's Chorus

From the guide to the Cincinnati Men's Chorus Records, 1991-2008, 1991-2001, (University of Cincinnati, Archives and Rare Books Library)