Like the Winter Solstice, hinting at the light to come and the birth of new opportunities, Winter Soulstice celebrates the holiday season and DGMC’s new Artistic Director, Johnny Nichols, Jr., with music that honors the earth, celebrates diversity, and dances to the festive rhythm of soul music.
The Denver Gay Men’s Chorus has been an LGBTQ catalyst for change through musical excellence since its founding in 1982. With more than 300 concerts during its 42-year history, this 140-member ensemble is one of the premier gay performing arts organizations in the Rocky Mountain Region. Through its diverse and socially charged programming, DGMC’s reimagined choir concerts entertain, educate, inspire, and empower audiences to foster acceptance and tolerance throughout the greater Denver area and along Colorado’s Front Range communities.
DGMC has performed in Denver and around the U.S. in acclaimed concert halls, including Boettcher Concert Hall, the Ellie Caulkins Opera House, Gates Hall, the Paramount Theatre, the Red Rocks Amphitheater, and Carnegie Hall. Additionally, the chorus has delivered groundbreaking performances at Coors Field, in the U.S. Air Force Academy Chapel, and on the steps of the Colorado State Capitol as part of inaugural festivities for Governor Jared Polis. DGMC has traveled to 12 states, the District of Columbia, and Canada and has made joint appearances with several gay men’s choruses in major U.S. cities
In 2023, DGMC was among the first GALA choruses to present Disney PRIDE, a musical celebration of LGBTQ life, love, and perseverance.
In addition, they have premiered new-commissioned choral works from acclaimed composers such as Andrew Lippa, Nathan Hall, Alan Shorter, James Deignan, and Craig Carnahan. Guest artists that have performed alongside DGMC include Ann Hampton Calloway, Margaret Cho, Alan Cummings, Yvie Oddly, and Diane Schurr. DGMC has performed twice with the Colorado Symphony.
In the name of advocating for a better tomorrow, DGMC has collaborated with The Matthew Shepard Foundation, the LGBT Community Center of Colorado, the Colorado AIDS Project, One Colorado, the Boulder County AIDS Project, Out Boulder County, the Colorado LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce, PFLAG Boulder County, and the It Gets Better campaign. DGMC has helped raise awareness of homelessness and housing insecurity issues, pioneered an educational outreach program to nurture safe learning environments, and continues to support anti-bullying efforts in Colorado schools.
During its 40th anniversary season, DGMC collaborated with Cleo Parker Robinson Dance, a first for both organizations. Aurora’s Rangeview High School Choir joined DGMC for the Colorado premiere of “The Seven Last Words of the Unarmed,” a powerful multi-movement piece inspired by the last words of seven unarmed black men.
DGMC’s future is full of endless possibilities as its mission statement, “building community through music,” drives its imaginative motivation for success!
