Tuesday, 3/24/09

It's Tuesday morning, March 24th and I couldn't feel more proud about a GMCW show than I do about everything gAy to Z. First and foremost, the free performance we gave for approximately 450 high school and college students, their teachers, parents and mentors last Friday night was a dream that I had for over 7 years. The students' reactions were incredibly positive. We videotaped their amazing stories of their experiences with the show and have been receiving wonderful e-mails from them ever since.

Here is a powerful message from one of the high school students in our audience that night:

"Since I was in 5th grade, I knew there was something different about me than other girls. As the years went on I figured out what it was, I wasn't straight. I thought for the longest time that there was no-one else out there like me. I moved to VA and one of my friends introduced me to the GSA at school. I FINALY fit in somewhere. Then they told me about a choir made of all gay men! Of course I came with them! At first I thought the songs were all playful like, "Attitude" Than they started getting more and more heartfelt, but still Very entertaining. This was the BEST thing that I've been to in a few years, and I would trade ANYTHING to go again. Each song/skit/dance/story has a message in it that every single person can connect with…No matter their sexuality. Not to mention I got to know the people in GSA a lot better! After the show was done, some of the members even came out into the lobby and talked to people. I'd recommend anyone to go … be it if you just want to have fun, or if you want to understand more about what you, a friend, or a family member is going through. I will NEVER regret going, and you won't either. I love how friendly everyone was there and how nobody was judgmental, not even the audience members. It was simply amazing!"

The reason we sing is to change hearts and minds through music. I am very happy that we will be taking everything gAy to Z on the road during the next 7 months. We bring the show to the Riderwood Retirement Community the afternoon of Sunday, March 29th as a benefit for PFLAG Riderwood. We'll bring the entire show: sets, costumes, and all the Rehoboth Beach Convention Center on the night of Saturday, June 27th to give a benefit performance for the Sussex County AIDS Committee; and, we travel with everything gAy to Z on Saturday, September 26th to Harrisonburg, VA as we give a performance at James Madison University to benefit the Shenandoah Valley AIDS Network.

There is great power in music. And I am truly inspired to turn our attention to our June show, featuring the East Coast premiere of through a glass, darkly, a provocative choral work that incorporates club music to explore the effect crystal meth has on GLBT lives. I am incredibly honored to lead such an important musical organization.

Jeff