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Fast Facts


General Information

  • Artistic Director: Dennis Coleman
  • Executive Director: Tom Luhnow
  • President, Board of Directors: Bob Cook
  • Membership: 660 ( SMC: 300+ singers, SWC: 200+ singers, 120 volunteers)
  • Annual Budget: $3,200,000+ (48% earned, 52% contributed)
  • Repertoire: classical, jazz, gospel, traditional, contemporary and popular
  • Annual Concert Series: 5 concerts ( SMC: 3, SWC: 2 ) / 20+ total performances
  • Annual Concert Attendance: 40,000 (94% capacity)
  • Performance Venues: Admiral Theatre, Benaroya Hall, Civic Auditorium, McCaw Hall, McIntyre Hall, Meany Theater, Rialto Theatre
  • Outreach Performances and Special Events: Approximately 20 per year
  • Estimated Cumulative Live Audiences: 2.5 million
  • Compact Discs Released: 15 commercial CDs released since 1991
  • Corporate Sponsors: Alaska Airlines / Horizon Air, American Airlines, American Express, The Boeing Company, Carter Subaru, Flying Fish, Holland America Line, Subaru of America, Target and US Bancorp Foundation
  • Founded: Seattle Men's Chorus: September 1979, Seattle Women's Chorus: 2002
  • Member: Founding member of GALA Choruses; Member of Chorus America, GSBA, PONCHO
  • Non-profit status: Section 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization

Our Vision

A world that accepts and values its gay and lesbian citizens.

Our Mission

Seattle Men's Chorus and Seattle Women's Chorus entertain, enlighten, unify and heal our audience and members, using the power of words and music to recognize the value of gay and straight people and their relationships.


Historical Landmarks

Radio Craze

  • 1990 Telecast on KCTS-9; generated the most pledges during annual telethon
  • Generated second highest ratings of any locally produced show (KCTS-9)

Swellegant Elegance

  • 1993 & 2004 (re-broadcast) Emmy Award, (Produced by PBS affiliate, KCTS-9)
  • Broadcast in 78 major markets across the country (2.5 million viewers)

1996 Holiday Concert

  • First Gay Men's Chorus in the World to broadcast a live performance over the Internet

First Symphony - Of Rage & Remembrance

  • 1997 Grammy Award, Best Classical Album of the year - composer, John Corigliano
  • Commissioned by Seattle Men's Chorus in 1991

Visions of Sugar Plums

  • 2000 Broadcast via streaming media over the Internet at www.kingfm.org
  • Over 25,000 hits in a 30-day limited broadcast period

Choral Groups Around The World

  • 2001 Broadcast on Swedish National Television
  • Featured as an all men's chorus and the only gay men's chorus interviewed

Artistic Collaborations

  • Diane Schuur
  • Tatiana Troyanos
  • Harvey Fierstein
  • Marni Nixon
  • Mark Morris Dance Group
  • Chanticleer
  • Natalie Cole
  • Faith Prince
  • Bobby McFerrin
  • Dr. Maya Angelou
  • Ann Hampton Callaway
  • Liz Callaway
  • Michael Feinstein
  • Nell Carter
  • Megan Mullally
  • Rosemary Clooney
  • Kristin Chenoweth
  • Jim Verraros
  • Ann Wilson
  • Melissa Manchester
  • Kristin Chenoweth
  • Lesley Gore
  • Judith Martin (Miss Manners)
  • Lucy Lawless

GALA Chorus Collaborations

  • New York City Gay Men's Chorus
  • Turtle Creek Chorale
  • Gay Men's Chorus of Washington DC
  • Boston Gay Men's Chorus
  • Gay Men's Chorus of Los Angeles
  • Chanticleer
  • San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus
  • Portland Gay Men's Chorus
  • Vancouver Men's Chorus, Vancouver, BC
  • Aurora Chorus, Portland, OR

International Appearances

In addition to scores of performances throughout the Pacific Northwest and the Greater Seattle Metro Area, Seattle Men's Chorus has been heard across the nation and throughout the world. Some of the major cities have included:

  • San Francisco, CA
  • Washington, DC
  • New York City, NY
  • Boston, MA
  • Dallas, TX
  • Denver, CO
  • London, England
  • Barcelona, Spain
  • Sydney & Melbourne, Australia
  • Wellington & Auckland, New Zealand
  • Amsterdam, Holland

Performances in Great Halls

  • Carnegie Hall (New York)
  • Avery Fisher Hall at Lincoln Center (New York)
  • Alice Tully Hall at Lincoln Center (New York)
  • Symphony Hall ( Boston)
  • Meyerson Symphony Hall (Dallas)
  • Davies Symphony Hall (San Francisco)
  • Boettcher Hall (Denver)
  • Westminster Hall (London)
  • Concertgebouw (Amsterdam)
  • Palau de la Música Catalana (Barcelona)

Commissioned Works

Seattle Men's Chorus has commissioned new works of music from some of the world's most distinguished composers including:

  • Gian Carlo Menotti
  • Ned Rorem
  • Alice Parker
  • John Corigliano
  • Robert Moran
  • James Skofield
  • David Diamond
  • Conrad Susa
  • David Conte
  • Samuel Adler
  • David Maddux
  • William Hawley
  • Eric Lane Barnes

Recordings

  • Bustin' Out All Over
  • Captured Live!
  • Fruit of the Month Club
  • Holiday Traditions
  • Home
  • Joy!
  • Over the Rainbow! 2000
  • The Pink Album
  • Silver Bells
  • Soul Full
  • Snowbound
  • Swellegant Elegance
  • UnderCover
  • We Are Family
  • Winternight Journeys