New York City Gay Men's Chorus in Financial Trouble
The New York City Gay Men's Chorus is struggling to stay afloat due to "severe financial problems" according to a press release from the group, which was founded in 1979 and was the first gay chorus to perform in Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center and the Kennedy Center, the first American gay chorus to tour Europe, and the first to have a recording contract with a major label.
Said Rick Clodfelter, Chairman of the Board of Big Apple Performing
Arts, Inc., the umbrella organization for the NYCGMC: “Like so many nonprofit arts organizations in this economic downturn, we are hurting. Decreasing donations, limited resources and the rising costs of production make it more difficult than ever for a community arts organization to survive. Our goal is to raise $500,000 to enable us to retire debt, proceed with our 30th season and ensure we are better positioned to advocate for equality in the future...Artistically, we are the best we’ve been in years due to the direction
of Dr. Charles Beale, former director of the London Gay Men’s Chorus,
who joined us two years ago. However, NYCGMC has always been about much more than putting singers on
a stage. At a time when LGBT visibility wasn’t as prevalent as it is
today, the Chorus provided an opportunity for New Yorkers to see out,
proud gay men on stage. Today that seems commonplace, but thirty years
ago, it was revolutionary. And just as the LGBT movement has evolved,
today the Chorus voices its support for marriage equality, LGBTQ youth
support and other issues relevant to the community."
According to the group, "The planned 30th anniversary season, which begins in September, features a return to Town Hall for the Holiday concert. The NYCGMC first performed there in 1980. The spring concert will be another installment of the hugely popular 'Big Gay Sing,' and the summer concert, 'Addicted to Love,' will look at both a light-hearted view of love and feature 'Through a Glass, Darkly,' a provocative piece about crystal meth addiction, a scourge not just to the gay community but well beyond."
To make a tax deductible donation or find out more about the New York City Gay Men’s Chorus, visit its website.
Watch the NYCGMC perform "House of Love" with Shoshana Bean at the Defying Inequality benefit concert, and also a brief clip from the group's appearance on America's Got Talent, AFTER THE JUMP...
one way of saving money is to thin out the group..
Posted by: the change | Aug 5, 2009 8:40:31 AM
They could probably use funds more than useless criticism, THE CHANGE. How about visiting the website and giving a couple of bucks?
Posted by: Olive Yurdich | Aug 5, 2009 9:22:36 AM
How about a calendar (NYC Fire Fighter style)? But not all of them, you know... just the hot ones. ;)
Posted by: JayDub | Aug 5, 2009 9:27:35 AM
I have emailed links to stories about the chorus in the build up to this woeful situation for months...hoping that we'd get SOME coverage prior to being on the edge of folding.
I'm SO PLEASED that ANDY TOWLE has FINALLY run a story about the NYCGMC. I wish we could have received coverage sooner. Andy, Please keep posting stories about us! so many people in NYC read your blog and getting the word out is SO HELPFUL to us!
Posted by: aaronK | Aug 5, 2009 9:31:26 AM
Gay Men's choruses are a historic part of our culture, and deserve sustainability. The staff members do deserve competitive living wages and the members of the chorus deserve to be able to travel and perform without massive personal costs to them.
However, when things like HIV/AIDS services are being cut and there's less money in many of our pockets to donate, more information is required before I can choose where to invest my cash.
Here's some questions:
1. How do we know that the NYCGMC has an operating budget that is sustainable and won't cause a situation like this to happen again?
2. Is the board being held accountable for letting things get to this point? It's distressing that they did not have someone in what seems to be a large sphere of supporters with the proper PR experience and connections to get this story ink earlier. This is NY, the global center of PR and publishing, for god's sake!
3. What is NYCGMC doing internally to cut costs? Have there been some financial mistakes made in the past that need to be acknowledged? And just what are these debts? I can find their umbrella org's tax declaration, which is required to be public, but I don't know if that's enough superficial information for us to know what happened. "Bad Economy" is only a partial excuse.
The era of blind trust in our gay orgs is over, no matter how much we love the orgs and the people who run them. I don't write these things to be a mean person or insult the efforts of the NYCGMC, but because I love what GLBT culture does and the potential for what it can do. If we want to remain effective, then we need to operate sustainably and have structures for accountability.
Hope you're paying attention, Andy. There's some great possibilities for investigative reporting here.
Posted by: Jeffrey Taylor | Aug 5, 2009 9:59:28 AM
I followed your link to their website. They're fine singers, but I wonder if the time has passed in NYC for having a particularly gay chorus. I think NYC has reached a point of inclusion where gay choruses might not have a reason to exist any more.
Posted by: Stuart | Aug 5, 2009 10:01:02 AM
As someone who had been involved in the Chorus for some time, I can attest that these financial troubles have been going on for many years and only in the past 12 months have they become acute.
There are serious mis-management problems both financially and creatively at the NYGMC, they do not handle their private and corporate donors professionally and, like many gay organizations, too few do too much of the work (and not well).
If you think I'm being overly harsh, throw a stone down a street in New York City and you'll hit someone who joined the chorus with the desire to sing and the ability to work in the organization only to meet endless red tape, botched opportunities and egos the size of Texas (again, without the talent to match).
I think the Chorus as an entity is a good idea and the impact that they've had over the years immeasurable on the community, but until they can run the organization professionally and learn to spend only what they raise (and then use that responsibly), I don't think that there's a place for them anymore.
Posted by: RICK | Aug 5, 2009 10:16:39 AM
The folks in New York should support the unique blend of community and the arts that the NYGMC represents. Those of us elsewhere, though, should support our local choruses. The Twin Cities Gay Mens Chorus is fantastic, the Portland Gay Mens Chorus is always entertaining and I'm sure your area has one or more community choruses too. We are a poorer people when we let the arts go...
Posted by: Greg | Aug 5, 2009 10:22:55 AM
Um, gay men chorus, isn't that just a fun little group? fund raising is a bi atch... but say giving them free vacations to wherevers and all they have to do is sing for their whatever is a joke...
most chorus are unpaid and travel very very rarely... these queens are now coming due... it's a club, pay up your membership due if you want to continue to play... no one's gonna give you money
Posted by: This is kinda a good thing. | Aug 5, 2009 10:57:01 AM
I see alot of people ...that means they can get creative and fundraised their cash. They can come up witht ideas to get their group together...instead of askign for cash..>WHICH i'm tired of being asked. No more donation from my side until 2010.
Posted by: Bosie | Aug 5, 2009 11:27:19 AM
This Is Kinda A Good Thing may have been a little, uh, blunt, but I kind of agree. Do we really need a gay men's chorus? really? I feel the time for such things is waaaay past and maybe we should just let it go the way of the big dance clubs. I'm sure the queens who go to this kind of thing can more than fill the void with Liza on Broadway or Liza on 42nd street. ..or Liza Clean and Sober or whatever....
Posted by: Davey | Aug 5, 2009 1:14:28 PM
Davey: You apply a nasty and untrue stereotype to the NYCGMC and other gay choruses out there. They are commissioning new pieces from working composers and performing classical repertoire, doing high school and youth outreach and even bringing a message of social justice to places that aren't major metropolitan areas or where gay rights causes jaded folk like you to take a ho-hum attitude. It's one of the few places you'll see gay men truly engaged with each other aged 18 to 80. I'd encourage you to go see the NYC chorus, or one in Washington, Boston, SF or even Cincinnati to understand the power of the music and the performance before assuming its just a group of irrelevant Liza-loving nellies. Shame on your closed mind.
Posted by: The Place | Aug 5, 2009 1:34:56 PM
I'm sorry to hear about NYGMC. They truly do great work.
That said, my eyebrows went up when I saw "to enable us to retire debt...." Isn't taking on debt usually a last resort for nonprofit groups?
Times are tough all over for the arts. Both the groups that I sing with have cut way back on expenses.
Posted by: Mark Wise | Aug 5, 2009 1:52:54 PM
um, do you think someone could post a clip that demonstrates the group's actual musical/artistic capability, instead of backing Shoshana from the darkness (under a supertitle that reads, incorrectly, "Gay Men's Choir" I might add), or the three second clip from a pop sensation cattle call? I mean is it style or substance people are being asked to bankroll here... a chorus line of pretty gay boys maybe?... a venerable icon of homo history?... or is NYCGMC still just maybe potentially a vital and relevant musical force for change? Check this clip from the Stonewall 40th Anniversary celebration in June of this year at the Cathedral of St. John the Devine http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M8vgL6nTZmo
Posted by: Dane | Aug 5, 2009 4:58:47 PM
Dane: WOW-thanks for posting that URL to the "Tree of Peace" song. I haven't anything so beautiful and poignant in a long time. If people were putting forth the ideals this group shared in song 40 years ago, I can only imagine the impact that would have had. I just send in a donation - groups like this are probably more necessary and relevant than they were 30 years ago. Here's to 30 more-good luck guys!
Posted by: Steve | Aug 5, 2009 7:07:06 PM
i encourage interested parties to visit www.bapany.org to read statement's by the Chorus's board of directors. Sweeping change has taken place and the organization is finally under, what i believe, to be right-minded stewardship.
As far as cost cutting goes, we reduced our staff, closed our office, and changed performance venues.
Rather than spouting off harsh criticisms, please investigate for yourself. Our organization has a new generation - literally - of leadership and we are operating on a sustainable platform going forward.
Posted by: aaronK | Aug 6, 2009 9:57:33 AM
Having sung with the chorus in the past, I can attest to the fact that the group has not been fiscally responsible for years.
A lot has to do with the size -- it is too big to put in most rehearsal and performance spaces, so they have to pay to go to larger venues which are expensive. They constantly brow beat its members for money at most rehearsals. For years they had an executive director and someone under him, drawing salaries with very little results.
There are other gay choruses in New York (Empire City Men's Chorus & The Gay Men's Chorus of Manhattan just to name a couple), so New York will not be without a gay chorus. Addtionally these groups seem to be doing just fine and are much better musically. The NYCGMC has gotten to the point that they are doing sing-a-longs. If they want to draw/increase their audience base they must be stronger musically and quit resorting to sexual inuendo and cheap gimmicks to draw an audience (it only brings in the gay groups).
Sometimes you have to tear down an organization and rebuild from scratch and learn from your mistakes. Maybe that time as come for this group.
Posted by: Scott | Aug 6, 2009 1:58:11 PM
Scott-Sorry your experience was so bad with this chorus. Hope you have found one that better suits your tastes and temperament. I just listened to this recording from the Stonewall 40th Anniversary event at St. John the Divine. I don't think I have heard a group that is "stronger musically" and heard and saw no "sexual innuendo" or "cheap gimmicks."
Posted by: Steve | Aug 6, 2009 4:11:49 PM
HERE IS THE LINK: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M8vgL6nTZmo
Posted by: Steve | Aug 6, 2009 4:13:17 PM
Most of the posted comments here are thoughtful and well meaning. There are however a couple from people that seem to like to kick someone when they're down.
The reality of running an organization, especially in the competitive and expensive arts market like New York, requires a fair amount of money. While the Chorus staff is small, we do have a paid artistic director, executive director and part time staff person. Also, rehearsal space and venue rentals are pricey, and production costs – while we produce increasingly lower cost shows – add up. Factor in various costs for 200+ members and you arrive at a budget that requires strong, ongoing contributions from our members and our supporters.
Commenting on some of the posted thoughts:
The Board manages the Chorus’ business and financial affairs, and in the last two years has made great progress by creating professional quality financial records where they did not exist, hiring and responding to an outside auditor, managing overhead costs, cutting staff and other related actions.
The accumulated debt started 4 – 5 years ago and this board has been in place in the last three. During this time, we have consistently managed to pay down our debt and tightened our operations and expenses. (Budget cuts of 25%).
To the comment about 'brow-beating' members to raise money. The Chorus is a memberships driven organization and depends upon the membership to 1. sing 2, attend rehearsals and performances 3. sell tickets 4. volunteer 5. fund raise as needed.
I don't think this is too high an expectation. The reason for a good part of the current situation is that 4-5 years ago, concerts didn't sell well. The Chorus Board and Artistic staff have since changed. The energy and artistic growth in the past 2 seasons has been tremendous. There was a re-org during the past year that put into place a structure for members to volunteer and get involved in areas they have interest/expertise in.
As to the relevance of a 'Gay Chorus' in this time. Each time the NYCGMC sings (and I dare say this holds true for other choruses around the world) lives are changed. Even in NYC there are minds that need opening, bridges that need building, people who need family when theirs' has thrown them out (yes, it still happens), young people who need a positive, 'non-scene' safe space.
Regarding programming - there is a need to do some fluff in order to help support the SMQ (serious music queen) music. Big Gay Sing sold out 2 nights! Yes - it was a silly sing along - but the audience had a great time and during that concert there were still also stellar choral moments. A variety of music is part of the Chorus repertoire - the next season will include a concert called "Addicted to Love" - having the NY premiere of a piece about crystal meth addition. Not fluff at all. The NYCGMC has a history of commissioning music from both new and established composer. This legacy of music that the NYCGMC has commissioned has spread throughout the world.
There has been a lot of evaluation and cutting in the organization (like many of us have had to do in this economy). With all that said - the lessons learned - the NYCGMC is a vital part of NYC's cultural history and future. They deserve to continue their mission to make a a difference.
To "this is kinda good thing' - While the NYCGMC has toured the US and Europe in the past - the cost for these trips is covered by each individual Chorus member and is not a free trip paid for by the organization.
To the gentleman who wants us to do a calendar. We've checked into it...the ROI on such an project is extremely limited compared to the time/energy/expense involved in such a project.
For Rick who says you can't throw a stone without hitting someone with a negative experience.... I've been in the organization for 15 years and, I think that same stone throw would show the many more positive ripple effects. Over the past year there have been organizational changes that have put membership teams in charge of many aspects of the day-to-day stuff and smaller events and fund-raising. Everyone in the organization is encouraged to participate and to not only bring ideas to the table - but to back up the ideas with actions. Every idea can't be used - as there are limited resources and time, but all ideas are appreciated. I don't know anyone in the organization that goes out to hurt anyone's feelings on purpose.
The bottom line is - does the NYCGMC deserve/need to exist? I think it does, even in 2009. The issues continue to exist - Marriage Equality anyone? If you agree - make a contribution, but a ticket, tell a friend.
Posted by: Dan B | Aug 7, 2009 10:06:49 AM
Dan - thanks for an insightful, well-written, and very sincere comment. I have seen concerts by NYCGMC since the early '90's and have always been impressed with the range of musical expertise, diversity and fun that emanates from the stage. Anyone that hasn't seen this Chorus perform should make a point to go see them... soon. I support the Gay Men's Chorus 100%, and have made a donation online. I encourage everyone to do the same.
Posted by: Alan | Aug 7, 2009 10:59:58 PM
"As to the relevance of a 'Gay Chorus' in this time. Each time the NYCGMC sings ...lives are changed. Even in NYC there are minds that need opening, bridges that need building, people who need family when theirs' has thrown them out (yes, it still happens), young people who need a positive, 'non-scene' safe space."
This summs it up! There are people who are alone in the world - people who need outlets where they can create an extended family of their choosing. Create an extended family!
Posted by: Holi | May 4, 2010 10:18:27 PM