Welcome to GMC's First "Friends of Note" Newsletter

In This Issue
Be Our Guest! Our Song Preview New Committee Announced Review of St. Stanislaus Concert Section Sponsorship Tribute Giving Current "Friends of Note" Corporate and Foundation Sponsors Board and Staff Listing

Written by Wendy Markum, managing director

On behalf of the Gateway Men's Chorus, I am happy to offer our first donor newsletter. Aware that donors like to know how their generous contributions are being used, we want to offer the opportunity for you to see the "behind the scenes" activities that make the Gateway Men's Chorus such an important part of the LGBT community in St. Louis. While we have events, information, and opportunities we would like to share. Additionally, if there is something about GMC you would like us to feature, or have suggestions about how we can continue to foster relationships with the community, please feel free to send me an email. I hope you enjoy this first newsletter and will continue to follow us through our exciting 25th season, and beyond

Thank You to Our Generous 25th Season Donors

"Conductor's Circle" Donors
Visionary Level $5,000 + Mr. John W.Brancaglione and Mr. William Clugston Dr. Kenneth Haller Impresario Level $2,500 - $4,999 Mr. Walter Adair Maestro Level $1,000 - $2,499 Dr. Patrick Dawson Mr. Al Fischer and Mr. Charlie Robin Dr. and Mrs. William Houck Drs. David Jaffe and David Lewis Mr. Ken and Mrs. Nancy Kranzberg Mr. Aelred Rosser Mr. and Mrs. Paul Sutherland

Be Our Guest
Written by Jason Brown, administrative volunteer

On January 7, the Gateway Men?s Chorus held a meet-and-greet at Spaghetteria Mamma Mia to attract new members. Potential singers attending the Be Our Guest event enjoyed appetizers and drinks while chatting with existing singers, Board Members and staff about their experiences with GMC. "For years, the chorus has focused on passive recruitment techniques," stated Board Secretary Michael Franzoni. "Currently, we're pressing with a bit more of an active approach, along with expanding the Be Our Guest events. Ten new singers turned out for this first recruiting event of the year. The number of new guys present was great," commented Al Fischer, Artistic Director for GMC. "Of course you'd always love to have more." Al would like to see existing chorus members take the newbies under their wings, and help introduce them to the group. Fifteen new singers attended the first open rehearsal on January 9th, including the ten guys who attended Be Our Guest, according to Franzoni. "We are looking to establish open channels of communications with local LGBT organizations in order to encourage cross-population of membership bases between organizations and further strengthening both our membership and the cohesiveness of the Saint Louis LGBT community en whole."

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Donors Honor GMC in a Unique Way

Similar to other musical organizations, like SW Florida Gay Men's Chorus, and the Lyric Opera of San Diego, GMC offers the opportunity for our donors to sponsor their favorite Chorus section. This new program allows each section of the Chorus to be underwritten on a first come basis, by their favorite fans. For more information of section sponsoring, request our individual giving brochure.

The Bass Section

Graciously underwritten by Mr. John W. Brancaglione and Mr. William Clugston

John was happy to choose this section because, "When I used to sing, I was a bass, so it has a special place."

The Tenor 1 Section

Graciously underwritten by Dr. Kenneth Haller

"Tenor 1 is the only part that I could not sing, so I have always had a great deal of respect for them."

"OUR SONG" a Celebration of Our 25 Year Legacy

Written by Al Fischer, artistic director

We are bringing together something special for this March: our 25th Anniversary Celebration, which we are calling OUR SONG. For this concert, we are drawing from the wealth of music that the Chorus has had written or arranged especially for itself. I have contacted former conductors all the way back to the founder of the Gateway Men's Chorus, Michael Chores. I solicited their input, as well as the input of Neal Richardson and Steve Milloy, our two principal arrangers over the years, asking them what songs they wrote or commissioned that they would love to hear the Chorus perform once again. Many of these directors, as well as our founder, will be present at our concert, where we will acknowledge them and thank them for their service and contribution. We will not only be looking to the past, though. We have several new arrangements that we will be premiering, including BORN THIS WAY by Lady Gaga, a new arrangement of ST. LOUIS BLUES commissioned by our founder, and two new original compositions by our current Artistic Director. This event will celebrate where we have been, and where we are going!

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Education & Community Engagement Committee Formed

Written by Wendy Markum, managing director

In an effort to uphold our mission of promoting gay culture and acceptance through music performance and education, this new committee held their first meeting January 24, at Hartford Coffee Company, 3974 Hartford St. The E&CE committee, made up of staff, board members, singing members, volunteers, and community members, will focus on ways to increase our presence in the St. Louis community. Goals of the committee will cover arts outreach to underserved populations, fundraising support for other LGBT organizations in the area, and collaborations with existing groups to spread the message of tolerance, anti-bullying, and music education. If you would enjoy the opportunity to have a positive influence on the community as an E&CE committee member, please contact Wendy Markum

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

David Sutherland
Given by Mr. Gary Friedrich Mr. & Mrs. Paul Sutherland

Mr. Steve Schneider

Given by Ms. Maureen T. Smith Mr. Jerry Woods

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

IN HONOR OF
Michael S. Alley
Given by Mr. John T. Hyland

David Voracek Seymour (Cy) Jaffee

Given by Ms. Marge Degnon Mr. James W. Hicks III Mr. David Keller Ms. Wendy Reid Mr. William Wibbing Given by Ms. Susan King

John Scholz
Given by Mr. Frederick L. Perry

Stephen Phelps
Given by Comm Service PR Council

Frederick Perry
Given by Ms. Claire Condon Ms. Mary Pevra Mr. Rhodes Schroeder Mr. Steven Whiting Mr. Dick Woodhouse

GMC Brings Down the Church...

Written by Wendy Markum, managing director

December 16, 2011 GMC made history in St. Louis as the first LGBT choral group invited to perform at St. Stanislaus, in front of their parish. The responsibility of representing the LGBT community in a positive light to a new and nontraditional audience was well placed with the Gateway Men?s Chorus. This on it?s on was an important opportunity for the community, however GMC chose to make the impact even greater by requesting that instead of admission charge, parishioners to bring new toys to donate to Project ARK (AIDS/HIV Resources and Knowledge); a local organization which supports children afflicted with aids. The men?s performance was professional, moving, and highly entertaining. A huge collection of toys were collected for Project Ark, filling a need for their holiday goal to bring toy to the over 1,000 children patients in St. Louis. The evening was so successful; the men have already been invited, and eagerly accepted a performance next year.

"Friends of Note" Donors

Whole Note Level $500 - $999
Anonymous Mr. Michael Franzoni Mr. Joe Nelson and Mr. John Goad Mr. Lawrence T. Miskel and Mr. Ryan Barker Mr. Matthew Palmer Mrs. Mary Strauss Mrs. Genevieve Steidtmann Mr. Paul Sutherland Mr. John Adams Mr. Matt Houck Anonymous (2) Mr. Albert Becker

Eight Note Level $25 - $99

Mr. Paul Acker Mr. Edward Adams

Mr. Willie J. Meadows and Mr. Don Bergman Ms. Clare Condon

Mr. Michael Brown Mr. Bruce Carvell

Mr. Gerald Dennon Mr. Sean Dwyer Ms. Anne Elixhauser and Mr. William Hayden Mrs. Caron and Mr. Floyd Farmer Mr. Jon FlinnMs. Susan Hardebeck Ms. Jamie Heil Mr. Tim Farmer Mrs. Janette Hart

Mr. Andrew Hernandez and Mr. Michael Dorn Mr. James Hicks III Ms. Judith Hodge

Half Note Level $250 - $499

Kent and Paulette Barker Mr. Bryan Buck Mr. Doug Bernier Mr. Darren Chapman and Mr. David Watson Mr. Phillip Eibeck Mr. Gary and Mrs. Janice Friedrich Mr. Brian Hinterscher Mr. Danny Owen Mr. Paul Simpkins

Mr. Gordon Herzog

Ms. Dee Hodge and Ms. Ann Petlin Mr. Jason Johnston Mr. David Keller Mr. Norman LeClaire and Mr. Howard and Mrs. Penny Miller Dr. Robert Packman, MD Ms. Wendy Reid

Mr. Wayne and Mrs. Cheri Jones Mrs. Debra Knox-Deiermann Mr. David Roell Mr. Craig Monson Mr. Ted Pino

Mr. Casey Davison Mr. Allan Erdman Mr. John & Mr. Jim Hamblin Mr. Franklin McCallie Mr. Bill Rintz Mr. Carl Train

Mr. Todd Petitt

Mr. Jay Reiter and Mr. Richard Charow Mrs. Naomi and Mr. Saul Silvermintz Ms. Toni L Smith

Dr. and Mrs. Richard M. Ruddy Ms. Maureen Smith

Mr. Richard Woodhouse

Mr. Daniel and Mrs. Laura Stefacek

Ms. Jeane Vogel Mr. Joseph Wuller

Quarter Note Level $100 - $249

Mr. Michael Asbury Ms. Marge Degnon Mr. David Bates Mr. Robert Eilers Mr. Colin Keller

Ms. Patricia Vogelsang and Mr. Donald W. Jones Mr. William Wibbing

Thank You to our Corporate and Foundation Donors

Mr. Steven Goldberg and Mr. JD Brooks Ms. Jane Knapp Ms. Barbara Levin

Mr. Neil S. Koplitz Ms. Wendy Markum and Ms. Jayne Scanlan Mr. Charles J. Metz Ms. Mary Peura

Ms. Carol Martin Mr. John Overall

Mr. Donald Posegate II and Mr. Mark Silvermintz Mr. Thomas W. Rich Mr. Don J. Riehn and Mr. Jon Goeders Mr. John Sabourin

Rev. Betty L. Shirley and Linda L. Mudd Mr. James Tomlinson Mr. Jerry Woods For more information on the benefits available to individual donors, please refer to our giving brochure available in the lobby, or email managing.dir@gmcstl.org Mr. James Wattles