This post is part of an in-depth series covering my involvement preparing for “Oye Mi Canto” a combined concert with the Gay Men’s Chorus of Los Angeles and Cuba’s Mano a Mano. My posts are not sponsored by GMCLA or Mano a Mano and are written from my own experience. Information shared may or may not reflect the viewpoints of GMCLA, Mano a Mano, or their members.
See what happens as I audition for solos (no guarantees), dancing roles (could be a disaster), and tips learned through rehearsals, tech week, and more. Meet the men who work among you in your day jobs then fiercely light up the stage in song. Be inspired. Be educated. Be elevated.

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July 1979

The Gay Men’s Chorus of Los Angeles was established in 1979. GMCLA’s history records that flyers were posted in West Hollywood and on a hot July night the few organizers waited for anyone to show up. To their surprise, 99 men joined with them to unite their voices in song. It took bravery to stand out authentically against the social and political stances of the day.

While public understanding of gay life has drastically changed since 1979, the road to 2016 has not always been easy. Through the height of the AIDS crisis, the Chorus lost over 150 members. Only 12 original members remain. As a community it would have been easy to be scared into silence. But as a result, GMCLA gained a deep history of service within the LGBT community, singing at countless memorials, making and commissioning music that helps the community to mourn, to celebrate, to dream, and to prepare for victory.

July 2011

My first awareness of GMCLA was in July 2011. I happened to be in Hollywood for a music conference and decided to reach out to my friend Michael who lived in the area. I hadn’t seen him in a year or so but hoped to reconnect. Michael’s sister Barb was a key figure in helping me “come out”, cheering me on when facing the conflicts I was experiencing in my community and pulling me from deep depression. During the earliest days of my journey she introduced me to Michael who is also gay.

My request was last minute and I only intended for a quick meetup over dinner. Michael was participating in a flash mob that evening so he couldn’t meet until later. He told me I had to come see him dance. It was going to be a spectacular performance of “You Can’t Stop the Beat” at an outdoor viewing of Hairspray with Nikki Blonsky. While it did sound tempting as it is one of my favorite musical films, I declined because I had not made plans for a place to stay that night. I let him know but he insisted and generously offered his guest room alleviating my stress so we could catch up.

The film ended late so we didn’t get a chance to really talk until the next morning over breakfast. Michael was in a transitional phase personally. He had been working as an attorney leaving his interest in music many years in the past. His foray into flash mobs was a step into igniting his passion again. He told me he also started voice lessons and was working on developing his confidence to sing publicly. A friend recently challenged him to audition for GMCLA but he was unsure. I didn’t know anything about GMCLA–what it was or did–but I told him to go for it. At worst, he wouldn’t make it. At best, he might have a great experience doing something he loved.

About a month later I received a message from him thanking me for the encouragement to audition. He had made it in and was going to begin rehearsals that evening. I didn’t hear anything about how it was going but reached out to Michael later in the year when my partner and I were planning a house hunting trip to Los Angeles. Michael excitedly invited us to see his first performance in the Chorus at the Alex Theatre.

We got tickets and it was amazingly entertaining from curtain up to final bow. Michael shined. The whole Chorus did. Being in the audience I had a sense of something wonderful behind the scenes but I just couldn’t imagine until a few years later.

August 2014

I needed a network. I needed friends and an outlet for singing again. My younger sister died by suicide the week after my visit with Michael in 2011, six months later my partner and I moved to Los Angeles, and my passion for singing was grinding to a halt. I was occasionally coaching voice but never really connecting with my clients. I didn’t express myself in song and was becoming increasingly isolated. I didn’t know if my voice mattered. I didn’t even know if I had anything to say.

Around this time I began seeing posts on Facebook from Michael that GMCLA was hosting open auditions. I felt a spark each time I saw it but I wasn’t sure if I was ready. My emotions were raw, developing like a cancer overtaking my spirit. I couldn’t make a decision even though my heart kept coming alive whenever I saw a post about auditions.

Before you can audition you must attend an open rehearsal. I was still unsure if I wanted to do this but I went knowing that if I missed it I wouldn’t be able to audition. What did I have to lose? A couple hours? I arrived a few minutes early for orientation at the rehearsal space in the First Congregational Church of Los Angeles. I was a bit overwhelmed but I felt a belonging that I had been missing.

I was still undecided when the day for auditions came around. I hadn’t prepared anything. I hadn’t even told my partner Keith I was going until an hour before. And then I just went. I sang “My Country ‘Tis of Thee” and flubbed horribly through some very easy sight-reading exercises. I just wanted to melt into a puddle and slide out under the door. I suddenly knew I needed to be part of their brotherhood and hoped they could sense it along with recognizing an ability to sing.

Fortunately they not only accepted me but they threw a huge hug around me. I started rehearsals the following day at the end of which I sobbed like a baby as 250 men sang “He Ain’t Heavy He’s My Brother” to the newest Chorus members. I didn’t know how much I needed this.

GMCLA has revived my courage to perform and given me encouragement and permission to be authentic on stage. It’s challenged me to try new things I never imagined such as singing in drag, rollerskating on stage to Xanadu, branching out again into open mic nights and solo shows. I’ve gained new clients from Chorus referrals and helped others audition to join us. I’ve helped fulfill the outreach mission of GMCLA by singing for youth in schools witnessing young people awaken to kindness and bravery. Singing in the Chorus has literally brought me back to life and helped me regain my voice.

Today

Tonight I start my 5th concert cycle with GMCLA. Our June show will feature Mano a Mano, Cuba’s first gay men’s chorus. (Is it a “chorus”? It appears to currently have five members and works like a boy band. We’ll find out.) I wanted to share my experience preparing for this historic show with all its unique opportunities and challenges. The concert is titled “Oye Mi Canto” literally translating to “Hear My Song.” I’m so excited when I think about these men from Cuba who are emerging into the spotlight to share their voices with ours.

Now, I’ve got some preparing to do for rehearsal tonight. GMCLA also just started using a new platform designed for organizing choruses. I’ll share a review on it along the way. Additionally, I’ve got to download sheet music. Busy, busy…

I look forward to posting about our rehearsals and what it takes to make this concert happen. I hope you’ll follow along and share your voice by reposting and engaging with me in conversation through the comments and on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!

Until next time, keep singing.

Jonny