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In This Issue Pride Preview Directors Note Dining Out for Life Cabaret Risque Wine Lounge Exciting New FUN-Raiser In Memoriam A Year in Review Board Member Focus Donor Recognition Our Sponsors

Proud, Prouder, Proudest: GMC takes on 3 PRIDE eventsBy Bobby Davis, Singing Member

PRIDE is not just an LGBTParade and weekend of eventduring theweekend of June 23- 24 GMC will also be singing at the

first-ever St. LouisFringe Festivaon Monday, June 2, and we wilalso open the pride festivities foMetroEast PrideFest on June 16."

GMC will perform at the5th Annual Metro East PrideFesof Southern Illinois on SaturdayJune 16, at noon at ClubEscapade.That's quite a challengewhen you realize that our firs

performance of our summer concert, ExtrABBAganza, is the night before and thefinal performance will be later that evening.

When it is time for the Pride Festival to come west of the river, the Gateway MensChorus will join CHARIS, the womens chorus, at the Monster Star Tent on Sunday,June 24, at 5-6 p.m. for the performance of the songs we will bring to GALA Festivain Denver, CO in June.

Finally, we will end our Pride Festival activities with the closing ceremony to the firstannual St. Lou Fringe Festival. Along with the womens choral group CHARIS, wewill be singing at 7 p.m. on Monday, June 25 at PLUSH at 3224 Locust Street. Thesongs we'll be performing are from our upcoming performance at the GALA FestivalJuly 7-11, 2012

Nothing sayspride as clearly

as a group of gaymen singing,sounding ourbarbaric yawp,said Al Fischer,artistic directorof GMC.Nothing speaksunity across ourcommunity thangay men andwomen singingtogether with one voice.

FRIENDSOFNOTE

Donor Newsletter May/June 2012

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Dining Out For LifeWritten by Wendy Markum, Managing Director

On April 26th over 100 local restaurants offered 25%-100%of their food and drink receipts to support St. Louis Effortfor Aids as part of Dining Out for Life. The Gateway MensChorus was proud to host at SqWires Restaurant inLafayette Square. SqWires generously donated 50% of thereceipts for the entire lunch and evening.

The GMC crew arrived at 5:00pm and greeted guests withinformation on the event and chances to win cash and prizesfrom both Mastercard and the Gateway Mens Chorus. Therestaurant was packed the entire evening with chorusmembers, family, friends, neighbors, and the occasional

patronwho waspleasantlysurprisedto find outtheir meal

planswerecontributing to agreat cause.

According to EFA staff, this DOFL broughin an estimated total of $109,000

Doug Bernier, Board Member models oneof the GMC aprons.

Volunteer Vic Burnhart, Managing Director Wendy Mar-kum, and Vice-President Paul Acker dressed up to work theevent.

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Director Notes

We have come to the final concert in our 25th season schedule. I havemixed feelings about this final concert; on one hand, I have beenexcited for this concert since I joined the Chorus in October, on theother hand, it marks the end of a season filled with honors, andcelebration.

Since joining the Chorus, I have been blessed with the new friends

have made in the chorus and on the board. I have been given theopportunity to reach out on behalf of the Chorus and make new

connections and relationships that will help to ensure GMC will continue long into the future

Next season planning is underway and promises to build on the upward momentum broughon by the work of the board, staff, and members this year. Amazing shows, new educationinitiatives, and enhanced member benefits will be rolled out.

The first part of our education initiative, GMC has introduced program notes, which from nowon, will provide information on the music and artists being performed, as well as correlatinghistory of the LGBT movement and culture. It is our hope to connect the music choices to ouhistory in a fun and educational way to continue to tell our story to future generations.

Peace, Joy, & Love to YouWendy Markum

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At iGive you can buy the items you needfrom stores you trust - everything fromoffice supplies and airline tickets to

designer handbags, electronics, and evenlingerie!

It's FREE and simple.Just shop for everydayitems at over 700stores in the iGive net-work, including: Sta-

ples, Barnes & Noble, Lands' End, BestBuy, Victoria's Secret, and Pottery Barn. A

portion of each purchase automaticallybenefits the Gateway Men's Chorus

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Cabaret Risqu: An Unforgettable Night Celebrating the Gateway Mens Chorus

By Ken Haller, Singing Member

One of the challenges for any non-profit, community-basedarts organization like the Gateway Mens Chorus is fundraising. While we do charge admission for our concerts, thaonly covers about half of the GMCs expenses. Thechallenge, of course, is to come up with fund-raisers that are

well, fun.

Cabaret Risqu, suggested the theme of the evening: Lovethat lasts a lifetime or just one night! Musically, of coursethis is fertile ground, and the singers eagerly came up withlots of songs to address the topic. For those unfamiliar withcabaret: Its NOT Liza in a bowler hat and fishnets, and ireally is not about just singing songs that you like or thasound good in your voice. It IS about singing a song becauseyou HAVE to sing that song and bringing something uniqueand personal to it. By creating a movie in your mind foreach song, the audience can see that the singer has aconnection to the song which can be funny, sad, angry, or

anything and that allows the audience to make their ownemotional connection to the song.

Al Fischer, the GMCs Artistic Director, is well-versed in the art of cabaret. He hasattended the St. Louis Cabaret Conference, considered to be one of the top-tier cabarettraining workshops in the country with nationally-renowned faculty. We came up witha wish list of singers in the area, and we were thrilled when each of them who did nothave other conflicts said Yes and agreed to donate their time and talent. All of thesingers in this show had also attended at least one St. Louis Cabaret Conference, andeach of these singers had done a full one-person, professionally-directed show with aMusic Director. Above all, these are serious cabaret artists, the Midwest Cream of theCrop as far as cabaret goes.

My cabaret colleagues, Robert Breig, Alice Kinsella, Kay Love, Katie McGrath,Tim Schall, Deborah Sharn, Jeffrey M. Wright, were really excited about doingsomething to support the Gateway Mens Chorus. They know how unique andimportant the GMC is to the St. Louis community, and they brought their A-game tothe evening.

And then there were the GMC volunteers. During the entire day and through theevening, 20+ GMC members worked tirelessly to set up the space, work the SilentAuction, and serve drinks and snacks so that the audience could enjoy the show incomfort. GMC member, Michael Stortz, primped tables, arranging flowers, and dressed the stage to make the fourth floor Ballroom othe Centene Center into the St. Louis version of The Rainbow Room.

Thank you to everyone who came out to make this sold out evensuch a rousing success. We are excited to be able to announcethat this will become an annual affair!

Ken Hallerhas been a singer with the Gateway Mens Chorus since1990 and was GMC Board President from 1998-2002. His acclaimed

cabaret show, Song by Song by Sondheim, has played multiple sold ouperformances in St. Louis, Chicago, and New York. His new show, TheTV Show! Songs from the Tube, premieres Friday & Saturday, June1-2, at 8:00 PM, at the Kranzberg Arts Center, withAl Fischeras Music

Director. Tickets and information atwww.licketytix.com

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IN MEMORY OF

Mrs. Doreen Baker

Given by Ms. Wendy Markum

Alvin A. Erdman father of A. Erdman

Given by Mr. Al Becker

Mary Therese Haller

Given by Ms. Carolyn BowerMs. Patricia CorriganMr. George DurnellMs. Deborah Dalay

Ms. Karen Schneider

Rhea Jacobs

Given by Mr. Brian Edmiston

Seymour (Cy) Jaffee

Given by Ms. Marge DegnonMr. James W. Hicks III

Mr. David KellerMs. Wendy Reid

Mr. William Wibbing

Frederick Perry

Given by Ms. Claire CondonMs. Mary Pevra

Mr. Rhodes SchroederMr. Steven Whiting

Mr. Dick Woodhouse

David Sutherland

Given by Mr. Gary FriedrichMr. & Mrs. Paul Sutherland

Mr. Steve Schneider

Given by Ms. Maureen T. SmithMr. Jerry Woods

IN HONOR OF

Michael S. Alley

Given by Mr. John T. Hyland

John Brancaglione & William Clugsten

Ms. Jean Smith

The Marriage of:

Al Fischer & Charlie Robin

Rhona Lyons &David Warren.

David Voracek

Given by Ms. Susan King

John Scholz

Given by Mr. Frederick L. Perry

Stephen Phelps

Given by Comm Service PR Council

Celebrate the Legacy of GMC

by Honoring Someone Special

Consider making a charitable donation to GMC, in memory of a loved oneno longer with us, or in celebration of someone making the world a better

place today. All tribute contributions will be listed on a special page in ourconcert programs for the entire year. Include your special someone in thecelebration marking 25 years of the Gateway Men's Chorus contributionsto the LGBT community in St. Louis and beyond.

Board Member FocusBoard Role: VicePresidentName: Paul AckerHometown: Magnolia,ArkansasHigh School: PhillipsExeter AcademyCollege: University ofArkansasOccupation: ExecutiveManagement, Express

Scripts, Inc.Family: Partner EmeryGloe, mother Cecile Ackerof Germantown, TN, andminiature schnauzersGrayson and Reese.Hobbies: Gardening, Reading, TravelingLeadership Goals: Development of solid and sustainablestructure around mission and values.Best thing about GMC: Meeting amazing and talented people;witnessing the impact the GMC voice has on our community andregionYears with GMC: One

A Year in ReviewBy Lawrence T. Miskel II, Board President

Gateway Mens Chous has had a thrilling year as weve celebrated25 years in the making, and we look forward to continue buildingthe momentum in years to come. Our current season has broughtmany accomplishments, successes, and visibility in the community.The addition of Al Fischer, Artistic Director, and Wendy Markum,Managing Director, has positively impacted the organization this

year with the wealth of their knowledge and skills. GMC was alsorecognized throughout the year by Mayor Francis Slay, the City ofSt. Louis Board of Aldermen, GALA Choruses, and ChorusAmerica. On May 3, 2012, GMC received a Whats Right With the

Region!Award from FOCUS St. Louis in the category of ImprovingRacial Equality and Social Justice.

You may have also seen our new and improved website(www.GMCstl.org). Youll find out about the latest GMC events,and of course, you can buy your tickets for the 2012-2013 season.

Although GMC performs concerts three weekends each year duringits season, we love to perform at public events as part of our

community engagement program to further spread our mission andbecome more visible within the St. Louis metropolitan region. Someof the events and places at which GMC performed (or will perform)this year include: GroveFest, St. Stanislaus Kostka Church, Macy'sPride Celebration, the first-ever St. Louis Fringe Festival, theCentral and Southern Region International Public ManagementAssociation for Human Resources Conference, Out at the Ballparkat Busch Stadium, St. Louis City Hall for the Board of Aldermen,CHARIS performance in May 2012, and One St. Louis.

We look forward to seeing you at the next show as we wrap up our

25th season, and prepare for our next season!

http://www.gmcstl.org/http://www.gmcstl.org/http://www.gmcstl.org/

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Thank You to our

Corporate & Foundation Donors

"CONDUCTOR'S CIRCLE" Donors

"LEGACY" Donors Bequests $25,000 +

Mr. Robert Stock

Visionary Level $5,000 +Mr. John W. Brancaglione and Mr. William Clugsten

Dr. Kenneth HallerDr. John Sweet and Mr. John Forti

Impresario Level $2,500 - $4,999Mr. Paul Acker

Maestro Level $1,000 - $2,499Mr. John T AdamsDr. Patrick Dawson

Mr. Al Fischer and Mr. Charlie RobinDr. and Mrs. William Houck

Mr. Alex LeClaire and Mr. David Roell

Drs. David Jaffe and David LewisMr. Jason JohnstonMr. Ken and Mrs. Nancy Kranzberg

Mr. Aelred RosserMrs. Genevieve Steidtmann

"FRIENDS OF NOTE" DonorsWhole Note Level $500 - $999

Half Note Level $250 - $499

Anonymous Mr. David Montgomery

Mr. Kevin Donze Mr. Joe Nelson & Mr. John Goad

Mr. Michael Franzoni Mr. Matthew Palmer

Mr. Matt Houck Mrs. Mary Strauss

Mr. Lawrence T. Miskel& Mr. Ryan Barker

Mr. Paul and Mrs. Sue Sutherland

Thank You to Our Generous25th Season Donors

The Gateway Mens Chorus sincerely thanks the following donors for their generous support from January 30, 2011 thru May 5, 2012

Quarter Note Level $100 - $249

Eighth Note Level $25 - $99

Mr. Mike Asbury Mr. John Overall

Mr. David Bates Ms. Mary Peura

Mr. Jason Brown Mr. Donald Posegate II& Mr. Mark Silvermintz

Hon. Shane Cohn Mr. Thomas W. Rich

Ms. Marge Degnon Mr. Don J. Riehn& Mr. Jon Goeders

Mr. Robert Eilers Mr. John Sabourin

Mr. Steven Goldberg& Mr. JD Brooks

Mr. Ryan Shaughnessy

Mr. Colin Keller Rev. Betty L. Shirley& Linda L. Mudd

Ms. Jane Knapp Ms. Jean Smith

Mr. Neil S. Koplitz Mr. James Tomlinson

Ms. Barbara Levin Mr. James Wattles

Mr. Charles J. Metz Mr. Jerry Woods

Mr. Ken & Ms. Paulette Barker Mr. John Hamblin& Mr. Jim Chamberlain

Mr. Doug Bernier Mr.Brian Hintersher

Mr. Michael Brave & Mr. Jacob Fuller Ms. Wendy Markum& Ms. Jayne Scanlan

Mr. Bryan Buck Mr. Franklin McCallie

Mr. Darren Chapman& Mr. David Watson

Mr. Danny Owen

Mr. Casey Davison Mr. Bill Rintz

Mr. Phillip Eibeck Mr. William Roth

Mr. Robert Eilers Mr. Paul Simpkins

Mr. Allan Erdman Mr. Carl Train

Mr. Gary& Mrs. Janice Friedrich

Mr. Richard Woodhouse

Anonymous (2) Ms. Judith Hodge

Mr. Edward Adams Mr. Wayne and Mrs. Cheri Jones

Mr. Brian Adkisson Mr. David Keller

Mr. Albert Becker Mrs. Debra Knox-Deiermann

Mr. Don Bergman&Mr. Willie J. Meadows

Mr. Howard and Mrs. Penny Miller

Mr. Michael Brown Mr. Craig Monson

Mr. Bruce Carvell Dr. Robert Packman MD

Ms. Clare Condon Mr. Todd Petitt

Mr. Gerald Dennon Mr. Ted Pino

Mr. Sean Dwyer Ms. Wendy Reid

Mr. Brian Edminton Mr. Jay Reiter and Mr. Richard CharowMs. Anne Elixhauser &Mr. William Hayden

Dr. and Mrs. Richard M. Ruddy

Mrs. Caron and Mr. Floyd Farmer Mr. Michael Saxvik

Mr. Tim Farmer Mrs. Naomi and Mr. Saul Silvermintz

Mr. Jon Flinn Ms. Maureen Smith

Ms. Susan Hardebeck Ms. Toni L. Smith

Mrs. Janette Hart Mr. Daniel and Mrs. Laura Stefacek

Ms. Jamie Heil Ms. Nancy Tonkins

Mr. Andrew Hernandez &Mr. Michael Dorn

Ms. Jeane Vogel

Mr. Gordon Herzog Ms. Patricia Vogelsang &Mr. Donald W. Jones

Mr. James Hicks III Mr. William Wibbing

Ms. Dee Hodge and Ms. Ann Petl in Mr. Joseph Wuller