Performing Groups
The New York City Gay Men’s Chorus (NYCGMC) is the longest standing member of Big
Apple Performing Arts, having just celebrated its 25th Anniversary in 2005. New
York City Gay Men’s Chorus now comprises 250 voices, appearing in three subscription
concerts each year, moving between Avery Fisher Hall, Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall
and the other world-class venues of New York City. Affirming their world-class status
is a roster of classical and contemporary artists who have graced the stages with
the Chorus: Marilyn Horne, Roberta Peters, Liza Minnelli, Stephen Sondheim, Barbara
Cook, Carol Channing, Jerry Herman, Eartha Kitt, Joel Grey – to name just a few.
In addition to the full chorus, the New York City Gay Men’s Chorus includes the
24-voice Ambassadors Chorus which serves as a community outreach ensemble.
For more information visit the New York City Gay Men's Chorus website at:
www.nycgmc.org
Uptown Express has been delighting concert and cabaret audiences under the direction
of James Followell for 16 years, ever since this dynamic pops group was first born
out of the New York City Gay Men's Chorus. Initially formed to provide Chorus outreach
to the community, "Uptown" has been shaped by James' unique vision and
vast performing experience. The group's diverse repertoire ranges from standards
and show tunes to gospel and blues-all with fresh, exciting arrangements by James.
Uptown has had the privilege of performing with many Broadway and cabaret greats,
including Kristen Chenowith, Marissa Jaret Winokur, Karen Mason, Sam Harris, Terri
White, K.T. Sullivan, Klea Blackhurst, Steven Brinberg, Richard Skipper and Jaqueline
Joneé. Highlights of the group's history include a Gay Men's Health Crisis
benefit concert of Mack and Mabel, with Jerry Herman and a host of luminaries. Other
highlights include Melissa Rivers' wedding, Joan Rivers' Christmas parties, performances
at Carnegie Hall, Avery Fisher Hall, City Center, and cabaret venues around NYC-and
most recently a 2003 MAC (Manhattan Association of Cabarets and Clubs) Award nomination.
In 2006, the group will be performing at fundraising events for Broadway Cares/Equity
Fights AIDS at New York University, the Westside YMCA, New York Celebrity Assistants,
Gay Pride Rockland and for BAPA's Youth Pride Chorus.
For more information visit the Uptown Express website at:
www.uptownexpressnyc.org
The Youth Pride Chorus provides lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender youth and their
allies with opportunities to develop artistic excellence and leadership skills and
engages young people in the movement for social change through the use of their
individual and collective voices and through their visibility as a performance group.
Formed in 2001 as a joint project of the NYCGMC and the Youth Enrichment Services
Program of New York's LGBT Center, it is the first LGBT youth chorus in the US to
be sponsored by an adult chorus. YPC comprises over 30 singers and performs two
concerts per year, as well as additional outreach to the community, such as its
recent. performances for Planned Parenthood of Bucks County, Time Warner, and at
the New York City Council Speaker's annual Pride Celebration.
For more information visit the Youth Pride Chorus website at:
ypc.bapany.org