San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus records
Finding aid created by GLBT Historical Society staff using RecordEXPRESS
GLBT Historical Society
2024
989 Market Street, Lower Level
San Francisco, California 94103
(415) 777-5455
reference@glbthistory.org
http://www.glbthistory.org/
Title: San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus records
Dates: 1978-2022
Collection Number: 2009-01
Creator/Collector:
San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus (Tom Burtch, Chorus Historian)
Extent: 34 linear feet (1 manuscript box, 28 cartons, 8 oversize boxes, 1 flat file drawer)
Online items available
Repository:
GLBT Historical Society
San Francisco, California 94103
Abstract: The San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus is the world’s first openly gay men’s chorus. The collection is arranged into seven series
including: Administrative Records; Membership and Production Materials; Publicity and Awards; Photographs; Audiovisual Materials;
Textiles and Memorabilia; and SFGMC Scans and Electronic Records.
Language of Material: English
Collection is open for research. Collection was processed by Megan Needels in 2021/2022 with funding provided by the National
Historical Publications & Records Commission. Original processing performed by current and former members of the San Francisco
Gay Men’s Chorus, supporters, and friends of the Chorus in 2013-2014. Funding for processing this collection in 2013-2014
was provided by the Council on Library and Information Resources (CLIR). Some material in this collection has been digitized
and made publicly available online as digital collections. You can access content on Calisphere (https://calisphere.org/collections/27934/)
and additional content on the Internet Archive (https://archive.org/details/glbthistoricalsociety?and%5B%5D=creator%3A%22san%20francisco%20gay%20men%27s%20chorus%22&sort=-date).
All requests to reproduce, publish, quote from or otherwise use collection materials must be submitted in writing to the Managing
Archivist at the GLBT Historical Society. Permission to publish is given on behalf of the Historical Society as the owner
of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission from the copyright owner. Such permission must be
obtained from the copyright owner. Copyright to materials in this donation are retained by their respective creators.
[Identification of item]. San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus records. Collection Number: 2009-01. GLBT Historical Society
The collection was donated to the GLBT Historical Society by the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus in December 2013 with additions
in 2019, 2021, and 2022. Poster addition in April 2024 by Jim Munson.
Biography/Administrative History
The San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus is the world’s first openly gay men’s chorus. The Chorus sang in public for the first time
on the steps of San Francisco City Hall in November 1978 at a candlelight vigil for Harvey Milk. The group was founded by
Jon Reed Sims with a mission to spread social equality for LGBTQ people. In 1981, The Chorus embarked on a national tour that
helped spark the creation of similar choral groups in the U.S. and overseas. They are credited with igniting the worldwide
gay and lesbian choral movement and continue to tour the country today. They have also commissioned many widely performed
works that address issues of concern to the LGBTQ community, including homophobia, AIDS, Don’t Ask Don’t Tell, and marriage
equality. Since the first 115 members sang on the steps of City Hall in 1978, over 2,000 different men, cis and trans, and
non-binary people have sung with the chorus.
A number of artistic directors and conductors have led The Chorus over the years including, Jon Reed Sims (Oct. 1978); Dick
Kramer (Nov. 1978 – Jan. 1982); Robin Kay (guest conductor, Feb. – Mar. 1982); Robert Erickson, Dale Richard, Claude Zetty
(interim conductors, 1982); Ernie Veniegas (1982–1984); Charles Baker, Dennis Coleman, Vance George (guest conductors, 1985);
Gregg Tallman (Aug. 1985 – June 1989); Dr. Stan Hill (July 1989 – July 2000; Conductor Laureate July 11, 2012); Joseph Jennings
(guest conductor, Sept. – Dec. 1998); Dr. Kathleen McGuire (Aug. 2000 – Dec. 2010; Conductor Laureate Jan. 3, 2011); and Dr.
Timothy Seelig (January 2011 – present; also served as guest conductor, Feb. – June 2009).
Scope and Content of Collection
This collection documents the history of the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus and its impact on the lives of members, audiences,
and the LGBTQ community. The collection is arranged into seven series including: Administrative Records; Membership and Production
Materials; Publicity and Awards; Photographs; Audiovisual Materials; Textiles and Memorabilia; and SFGMC Scans and Electronic
Records. Administrative Records contain files relating to the administrative operations of the Chorus such as strategic planning,
board of directors meeting minutes, job descriptions and resumes, marketing materials, financial records, donation records,
leadership evaluations, and audience surveys. It also includes files relating to the Golden Gate Choral Foundation, which
was the Chorus’ primary fundraising entity. Membership and Production Materials include membership and concert production
materials such as expense records, flyers, programs, member handbooks, rosters, issues of the Chorus Notes newsletter, tour
materials, GALA materials, and posters. It also includes a file on the Fifth Section of the chorus, which is comprised of
members who have died, many of whom due to HIV/AIDS. Publicity and Awards includes press clippings, awards, and letters commending
the chorus. Photographs contain photographic prints, negatives, and slides of performances, member retreats, formal group
portraits, holiday parties, parade contingents, individual member headshots, office staff, and chorus leadership. Audiovisual
Materials contain film, video, and audio recordings of live performances, studio performances, and promotional material. Textiles
and Memorabilia contain t-shirts, jackets, a cap, gloves, buttons, member name tags, pins, a sash, banners, and branded material
such as a mug and a CD album case. SFGMC Scans and Electronic Records contain born-digital items and scans made or collected
by SFGMC members. Some of the scans in this series represent physical items contained within the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus
records collection, but there may also be scans of physical items that belong to individual members or that have not otherwise
been formally accessioned as part of the physical collection held at the GLBT Historical Society archives. This series is
available digitally, contact the archivist for access. GSSO linked terms: http://purl.obolibrary.org/obo/GSSO_000374; http://purl.obolibrary.org/obo/GSSO_004300
Gay men
Music
LGBTQ
San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus -- Archives.
Golden Gate Performing Arts.
San Francisco Bay Area (Calif.)