Changing Hearts & Minds
for over 40 Years
In 1981, a time when the gay-rights movement was just gaining momentum, founding artistic director Jeffrey McIntyre and 45 talented and brave singers came together to form the Atlanta Gay Men’s Chorus (AGMC)—an ensemble of the highest musical quality that nurtures its members and educates its community toward understanding, compassion and inclusiveness.
Through the years, the AGMC has shared the stage with such notables as Leslie Jordan, former poet laureate Maya Angelou, the Atlanta Opera, the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, the Atlanta Ballet, Turtle Creek Chorale, the International Gay Men’s Chorus of Paris, and many more. The AGMC and its select ensemble, Panache, have been proud to perform at benefits for victims of 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina, for charitable organizations such as the Elton John AIDS Foundation, the Metropolitan Atlanta Community Food Bank and AIDS Athens, and for community service events such as First Night Atlanta, AIDS Walk Atlanta, the Human Rights Campaign Annual Dinner, Toys for Tots, and The Toy Party.
The AGMC has appeared at numerous premier performing arts venues such as the Fabulous Fox Theatre, the Cobb Energy Center for the Performing Arts during the center’s inaugural year, Atlanta Symphony Hall, the Alliance Theatre of the Woodruff Arts Center, The Cathedral of St. Philip, the Robert Ferst Center for the Performing Arts, Emory University, Agnes Scott College, Kennesaw State University and many more. It’s also done multiple tours to other cities such as Macon, Savannah and Athens. Learn more about the history of the AGMC on our Wikipedia page »
Maya Angelou |
Atlanta Ballet |
Jessica Vosk |
International Gay Men's Chorus of Paris |
Maya Angelou | Atlanta Ballet | Jessica Vosk | International Gay Men's Chorus of Paris |
Leslie Jordan |
Atlanta Opera |
Turtle Creek Chorale |
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra |
Leslie Jordan | Atlanta Opera | Turtle Creek Chorale | Atlanta Symphony Orchestra |
In 2008, Ann Pinyan, board chair of the Atlanta Feminist Women’s Chorus, proposed that the defunct AFWC would contribute their music library to the AGMC and in return the AGMC would create a new women’s chorus. Ann was asked to join the board as part of that agreement and worked with leadership over the next 4 years to see it through.
The board and staff subsequently worked to find the best way to establish a vocal ensemble that provided women in Atlanta an opportunity to perform a wide range of choral music – music brought to life by an LGBTQIA allied ensemble that presented its own concert series and that would also provide a voice for marginalized women.
In 2012, the organization began the search for a conductor of the AGMC Women's Chorus Project - a new ensemble committed to furthering the mission of effecting social change through the power of music. Dr. Melissa “Missy” Arasi was selected in November 2012 and the planning for the project began.
Rehearsals began for the chorus in January 2013 at Druid Hills Presbyterian Church. The culminating concerts were in April on the AGMC’s “No Rest for the Wicked: Stephen Schwartz” shows at the 14th Street Playhouse. The Women’s Chorus Project performed three selections on the program; “One Short Day,” “What is This Feeling,” and “For Good” all from the Schwartz musical Wicked. The three sold-out performances went extremely well, and the 35-member chorus was on its way! In May 2013, the AGMC board voted for the Atlanta Women’s Chorus to be the second chorus under the umbrella organization of Voices of Note.
Today, over 200 talented and diverse singers comprise the two choruses; together, the volunteer members of the AGMC and AWC entertain thousands of gay and straight audience members from metro Atlanta and beyond, through their thought-provoking performances. Both choruses are members of the International Gay and Lesbian Association of Choruses (GALA) and actively participate in collaborative performances and educational efforts with GALA member choruses worldwide.
For more information on how you can support the mission of Voices of Note, call or email us.
