IENDS OF NOTE FR

May/June 2012
Dining Out for Life!
The 15th annual What's Right with the Region! awards celebration will recognize success stories from 20 individuals, organizations, and initiatives throughout the greater St. Louis region. FOCUS St. Louis applauds the outstanding accomplishments achieved by those working so hard for the greater good of this region. The Gateway Men's Chorus will be honored as one of the What's Right with the Region awards for the "Improving Racial Equality & Social Justice". GMC is the first music organization to earn this honor in the fifteen years it has been awarded.

Donor Newsletter
In This Issue
Cabaret Risque Dining Out for Life ABBA Tickets Available Trivia Night ABBA the Season Finale PRIDE Sneak Peak Board Member Focus Donor Recognition Our Sponsors

TRIVIA NIGHT
Cabaret Risque
The Gateway Men's Chorus is proud to announce the marriage of our Artistic Director, Al Fischer, to Charlie Robin, a longtime Chorus member. Al and Charlie's wedding was held in New York City in Central Park on Friday, March 9, 2012. Their happy day is a celebration of the love and commitment they have shared throughout their 20 years together as a couple. Longtime St. Louis residents, Al and Charlie have married at a time when the fight for equal rights, and gay marriage in particular, is at a fevered pitch. Gay marriage is not legal in Missouri and therefore they traveled to New York in order to be married in the eyes of the government and laws of that state, even as their marriage will not be officially recognized in their home state. That fact notwithstanding, Al recently lost two of his part time jobs because the leadership of the organization that employed him discovered he was getting married. We clearly still have a long fight ahead of us to ensure that LGBT citizens are no longer discriminated against for activities, rights and freedoms that other citizens are given as a birthright. The Gateway Men's Chorus affirms and promotes gay culture and acceptance through excellence in musical performance and education. We are proud to have Al and Charlie as friends and critical components to our success as a Chorus. Congratulations, Al and Charlie!

Friday, April 6, 2012 at Hamburger Mary's 7-9 p.m.

Join us for cocktails, complimentary appetizers, and information about our next concert series ExtraABBAganza.

Have This Monthly Newsletter Emailed to You!

Director Notes
One of my favorite things about our office in the Centene Center for the Arts, is that during the day, doors are open, and you can walk into any of the various art's organizations to exchange ideas with like-minded professionals. You can get a sense of what each organization is all about by just looking around their office. Whether it is the constant buzz of people at A&E, or the mini theater stage in StudioSTL, these spaces reflect the people, commitment, and unique programs that are being offered to the community. For two and a half decades, GMC has also been providing wonderful programs, but modestly kept our door closed, resulting in missed opportunities for recognition in the general community. With any good spring cleaning, one can uncover forgotten treasures of the past, and find a renewed sense of pride in a fresh new look. The Gateway Men's Chorus' door is open now, and almost daily, someone from the arts community pokes their head in, looks around at the 25 years of show posters adorning our walls, and says, "I had no idea you had done so much." In response, I smile and say, "Well, you are going to be hearing a lot more from us in the coming months; we are doing big things."

Use your smart phone to signup, or email wmarkum@gmcstl.org

Wendy Markum, Managing Director

Denver or Bust!
Co-written by Jason Brown, admin./Wendy Markum, managing director
Since 1988, the Gateway Men's Chorus (GMC) has been a proud member of GALA Choruses, the world's leading international choral association for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and allied choruses. With over 150 member choruses from all over the world, GALA choruses connects GMC to over 7,500 brothers and sisters who have chosen to use their voices to celebrate and advocate for the LGBT community. Once every four years, GALA Choruses presents an international chorus festival, which highlights the works of these choruses. This summer our largest number of GMC members in our history will be traveling to Denver, CO to join over 5,000 GALA members, and perform during festival. The festival spans over four and a half days and includes over 200 performances, plus workshops for both members, and administrative staff. "GALA is a chance for us to showcase what we love about GMC as an organization," said GMC member James Tomlinson. James believes GALA's workshops provide a chance for singers to better themselves, the organization, and the community. "It's an opportunity to network. We get the good fortune to witness choruses from all over in one place, learn from them, and most importantly ENJOY them!" GMC GALA participants will be able to perform a short set for the other participants, as well as join together to form other choruses during the event. Singer David Bates adds that GALA allows participants to perform in large and small choruses in front of appreciative audiences. "This often leaves me inspired to return to St. Louis with new energy and ideas for our own concerts." For the past four years, members have been holding fundraiser's, and saving money to pay their way to the event. A few of the larger choruses on the east and west coast, are able to provide an all expense trip for their members, while most choruses rely on the dedicated members to pay their way. While our goal is to one day be able to present our full chorus by sending all members, GMC is proud to have been able to offer scholarships to all the deserving members who applied, and would not have been able to attend due to financial restrictions. GALA Festival 2012 runs from July 7-11th.

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Celebrate the Legacy of GMC by Honoring Someone Special

Consider making a charitable donation to GMC, in memory of a loved one no longer with us, or in celebration of someone making the world a better place today. All tribute contributions will be listed on a special page in our concert programs for the entire year. Include your special someone in the celebration marking 25 years of the Gateway Men's Chorus contributions to the LGBT community in St. Louis and beyond.

IN MEMORY OF
Mrs. Doreen Baker Given by Ms. Wendy Markum Alvin A. Erdman father of A. Erdman Given by Mr. Al Becker Mary Therese Haller Given by Ms. Carolyn Bower Ms. Patricia Corrigan Mr. George Durnell Ms. Deborah Dalay Ms. Karen Schneider Rhea Jacobs Given by Mr. Brian Edmiston Seymour (Cy) Jaffee Given by Ms. Marge Degnon Mr. James W. Hicks III Mr. David Keller Ms. Wendy Reid Mr. William Wibbing Frederick Perry Given by Ms. Claire Condon Ms. Mary Pevra Mr. Rhodes Schroeder Mr. Steven Whiting Mr. Dick Woodhouse David Sutherland Given by Mr. Gary Friedrich Mr. & Mrs. Paul Sutherland Mr. Steve Schneider Given by Ms. Maureen T. Smith Mr. Jerry Woods

Board Member Focus

Board Role: President Name: Lawrence Miskel III Hometown: Rock Hill, MO High School: Webster Groves High School College: Loyola University, University of Missouri - Saint Louis, University of Bonn, University of Utrecht Occupation: Human Resources Specialist Family: I have a husband of nine years, a 12.5 year-old son, and three cats. Hobbies: I love to play musical instruments, politics, and traveling to foreign places. Leadership Goals: To leave the organization in a better way in which I found it. I seek to build capacity in any way possible, and create a sense of unity. Best thing about GMC: The camaraderie and sense of family.

IN HONOR OF
Michael S. Alley Given by Mr. John T. Hyland John Brancaglione & William Clugsten Ms. Jean Smith The Marriage of: Al Fischer & Charlie Robin Rhona Lyons &David Warren. David Voracek Given by Ms. Susan King John Scholz Given by Mr. Frederick L. Perry Stephen Phelps Given by Comm Service PR Council

At you can buy the items you need from stores you trust everything from office supplies and airline tickets to designer handbags, electronics, and even lingerie! It's FREE and simple. Just shop for everyday items at over 700 stores in the iGive network, including: Staples, Barnes & Noble, Lands' End, Best Buy, Victoria's Secret, and Pottery Barn. A portion of each purchase automatically benefits the Gateway

Thank You to Our Generous 25th Season Donors

The Gateway Mens Chorus sincerely thanks the following donors for their generous support from November 30, 2010 thru March 8, 2012

"CONDUCTOR'S CIRCLE" Donors Visionary Level $5,000 +

Mr. John W. Brancaglione and Mr. William Clugston Dr. Kenneth Haller
Mr. Mike Asbury Mr. David Bates Mr. Jason Brown

Quarter Note Level $100 - $249

Mr. Charles J. Metz Ms. Mary Peura Mr. Donald Posegate II & Mr. Mark Silvermintz Mr. Thomas W. Rich Mr. Don J. Riehn & Mr. Jon Goeders Mr. John Sabourin Rev. Betty L. Shirley & Linda L. Mudd Ms. Jean Smith Mr. James Tomlinson Mr. James Wattles Mr. Jerry Woods

Impresario Level $2,500 - $4,999

Mr. Paul Acker Mr. Walter Adair
Ms. Marge Degnon Mr. Robert Eilers Mr. Steven Goldberg & Mr. JD Brooks Mr. Colin Keller Ms. Jane Knapp Mr. Neil S. Koplitz Ms. Barbara Levin Ms. Carol Martin

Maestro Level $1,000 - $2,499

Dr. Patrick Dawson Mr. Al Fischer and Mr. Charlie Robin Dr. and Mrs. William Houck Mr. Norman LeClaire and Mr. David Roell Drs. David Jaffe and David Lewis Mr. Jason Johnston Mr. Ken and Mrs. Nancy Kranzberg Mr. Aelred Rosser Mr. and Mrs. Paul Sutherland

"FRIENDS OF NOTE" Donors

Whole Note Level $500 - $999
Anonymous Mr. John Adams Mr. Kevin Donze Mr. Michael Franzoni Mr. Matt Houck Mr. Lawrence T. Miskel & Mr. Ryan Barker Mr. Joe Nelson & Mr. John Goad Mr. Matthew Palmer Mrs. Genevieve Steidtmann Mrs. Mary Strauss

Eighth Note Level $25 - $99

Anonymous (2) Mr. Edward Adams Mr. Brian Adkisson Mr. Albert Becker Mr. Don Bergman & Mr. Willie J. Meadows Mr. Michael Brown Mr. Bruce Carvell Ms. Clare Condon Mr. Gerald Dennon Mr. Sean Dwyer Mr. Brian Edminston Ms. Anne Elixhauser & Mr. William Hayden Mrs. Caron and Mr. Floyd Farmer Mr. Tim Farmer Mr. Jon Flinn Ms. Susan Hardebeck Mrs. Janette Hart Ms. Jamie Heil Mr. Andrew Hernandez & Mr. Michael Dorn Mr. Gordon Herzog Mr. James Hicks III Ms. Dee Hodge and Ms. Ann Petlin Ms. Judith Hodge Mr. Wayne and Mrs. Cheri Jones Mr. David Keller Mrs. Debra Knox-Deiermann Mr. Howard and Mrs. Penny Miller Mr. Craig Monson Dr. Robert Packman MD Mr. Todd Petitt Mr. Ted Pino Ms. Wendy Reid Mr. Jay Reiter and Mr. Richard Charow Dr. and Mrs. Richard M. Ruddy Mrs. Naomi and Mr. Saul Silvermintz Ms. Maureen Smith Ms. Toni L. Smith Mr. Daniel and Mrs. Laura Stefacek Ms. Jeane Vogel Ms. Patricia Vogelsang & Mr. Donald W. Jones Mr. William Wibbing Mr. Joseph Wuller

Half Note Level $250 - $499

Mr. Kent & Ms. Paulette Barker Mr. Doug Bernier Mr. Bryan Buck Mr. Darren Chapman & Mr. David Watson Mr. Casey Davison Mr. Phillip Eibeck Mr. Allan Erdman Mr. Gary & Mrs. Janice Friedrich Mr. John Hamblin & Mr. Jim Chamberlain Mr. Brian Hintersher Ms. Wendy Markum & Ms. Jayne Scanlan Ms. Carol Martin Mr. Franklin McCallie Mr. Danny Owen Mr. Bill Rintz Mr. Paul Simpkins Mr. Carl Train Mr. Richard Woodhouse

Thank You to our Corporate & Foundation Donors