All in a day's work!

"As with San Diego’s ‘dance community’, San Diego is also blessed with some of the finest choral ensembles…. and, whatever questions may have existed in the minds of serious choral music lovers, they should be laid to rest this past weekend, with the level of class and quality of the 61-member Gay Men’s Chorus of San Diego. In the 1st show of their 17th Season, their recent outing with REALLY BIG SONGS at the La Jolla Sherwood Hall, GMCSD Artistic Director Gary Holt put forth a program par-excellant of challenging grand opera selections, combined with Broadway, POP, and of course, even a touch of the foolish!

It is so good to see and hear a vocal concert appreciate and utilize a proper amplification sound system. Accompanied by principal pianist Glenn Ward, with able second pianist Ronel Wishnuff, and support percussionists Heather Barclay and Jon Wishnuff. (As per director Holt) “Although I originally envisioned this program as one of great opera choruses, the music selection soon evolved into a pot-pourri of opera, operetta, oratorio, Broadway, POP/folk, and 20th Century contemporary choral music. The unifying theme of our music is ‘big’ … either in its scope, sound, or textural message. The result is a diverse program that entertains and inspires, as the music showcases the chorus’ depth and breadth of choral artistry.”

Opening with several selections from Gilbert & Sullivan’s THE MIKADO (at this Sunday Matinee performance) the GMCSD started off with (Japanese-costumed) soloist Henry Hofilena, showing a clear-pure tenor voice…lovely…and, perfect for the Gilbert & Sullivan genre of music. The subsequent tear-in-the-eye house reaction came with the famed DESSUN DORMA aria (from Puccini’s Turandot), resulting in the first ‘roar’ of approval from the audience. This was followed by Wagner’s Tannhauser anthem CHOR DER PILGER…furthering the obvious growth of musicality within the Gay Men’s Chorus. At this point in the program Holt added the guest percussionists, and doubled-up on the grand piano (to four hands), for the famed drinking song IN TABERNA QUANDO SUMUS from Carl Orff’s CARMINA BURANA … a choral piece, with its rapid-lyric staccato demands, and though, not frequently tackled by choral groups…here, was performed by the GMCSD beautifully! The Gay Men’s Chorus closed their all-classical first act with the music of David Conte’s INVOCATION and DANCE (to the words of Walt Whitman), offering two parts…the touching call-to-death-ballad, and the more upbeat salute-to-dance!

Utilizing often the Sherwood Hall front stage curtain (rarely seen at other concerts), the GMCSD opened Act II with perhaps the best ‘armography’ by Joe Gregore, and with the fun music arrangement of Larry Moore (performed with no conductor), IT’S HOT UP HERE from Stephen Sondheim’s Sunday In The Park With George ….and was an effective change of pace in Gary Holt’s programming. Then, under the direction of Steven Withers, the smaller 11-member group SWELL, brought forth the ‘campy’ bravura and humor (funny hats and gimmicks) the Gay Men’s Chorus is known for, in their Really Big Movie Themes (with special ‘Star Wars’ emphases). Conductor Holt returned with LOVE GROWS HERE, featuring Homero Escandon, Jeff Benson and Manny Lupian in COWBOY TAKE ME AWAY, and STARS I SHALL FIND, with the music of David Dickau and lyrics of Sara Teasdale….proving to be another reminder of the Gay Men’s Chorus fluid harmonies and solid training.

Closing out the concert event was their anticipated ‘touch of foolishness’ in Eric Lane Barnes’ PANSIES EVERYWHERE YOU GO …. with all in the chorus sporting pansies-head-gear (even Gary Holt) … the Gay Men’s Chorus gave out vocal cameo-spots to Nathan Fry, Dennis Huffman and Jeffrey Wells….and, one-and-all…had a ball! Following a rousing ovation, Gary Holt introduced his ‘new favorite song’ WHEN I HEAR MUSIC as the encore for the evening. Special ‘kudos’ is well-deserved by Music Director Gary Holt, Concert Producer Daniel Peccatus, Board President Steve Tiger, and all their leadership – both creative and administrative – as the Gay Men’s Chorus of San Diego grows and develops into a first class choral ensemble!"

Rob Appel