ORLANDO GAY CHORUS, INC.
ORLANDO, FLORIDA

The Orlando Gay Chorus (OGC) is one of the largest mixed gay choirs in the country. Founded on Valentine’s Day in 1990, OGC has been a fixture in the Central Florida area for over 27 years. In addition to the full chorus, OGC has four small ensembles that perform at the annual concerts and cabarets, as well as at community and private events: OUTLOUD!, the oldest running ensemble; Nothin’ But Treble, the all-female ensemble; Menage, the jazz ensemble; and Spectrum, the mixed ensemble. The Orlando Gay Chorus is comprised of individuals from all walks of life, all ages, and all orientations: gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender volunteers – as well as many straight allies. OGC warmly welcomes all who would like to join them in their goal of changing hearts and minds in Central Florida and throughout the world. OUR MISSION: The Orlando Gay Chorus (OGC) is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit arts and humanitarian organization. We, the men and women of the chorus, now 100+ strong and comprised of gay, straight, bisexual, and transgender individuals, feel thankful to be able to carry on our mission and vision. Our musical artistry speaks directly to our pride in ourselves, and offers the world a chance to see beyond headlines and contentious social issues to build bridges of understanding and love. The Orlando Gay Chorus is committed to: Making our musical entertainment accessible to all people. Living Our Mission As part of the Central Florida Arts Community, the Orlando Gay Chorus often performs at Come Out With Pride, Orlando Museum of Art “Festival of Trees” and World AIDS Day memorial services. In addition to our three major concerts in December, April, and May, we present three smaller cabaret concerts; “OGC UNCUT Cabaret” each October, “Love Is…” around Valentine’s Day, and OGC’s “A Lotta Night Music” at the end of June each year. This past season, OGC and its ensembles reached out to over 175,000 individuals and performed inspirational programs at over 105 organization events. During the one-year memorial for the victims and families of the Pulse tragedy, the Orlando Gay Chorus performed over 15 times. In July 2016, Orlando Gay Chorus and its small ensembles represented Central Florida in front of an audience of 3000, from around the world, at the GALA Choruses Festival 2016 in Denver, Colorado. In 2012, Orlando Gay Chorus and its small ensembles represented Central Florida in front of an audience of 3000 from around the world at the GALA Choruses Festival 2012 in Denver, Colorado. OGC performed for openly gay active duty military personnel at the Shades of Green Resort located at Walt Disney World Resort as part of OutServe/SLDN’s 2nd international conference in October. Orlando Gay Chorus Gives Back In addition to our music, the Orlando Gay Chorus is known for our humanitarian efforts throughout the year. Every November, the sections of the Chorus each partner with the Children’s Home Society (CHS) and sponsor families in need for Thanksgiving Day meal baskets. For the past 23 years, the Orlando Gay Chorus has hosted the longest continuous US Marine Corps Reserve Toys For Tots campaign in Central Florida. We also donate our time and talents with performances at several nursing homes and retirement centers, as well as benefits and community awareness events. The Orlando Gay Chorus is a member of GALA Choruses, a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization serving the GLBT choral movement. Founded in 1982 by fourteen choruses, GALA Choruses has become the leading international association of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender choruses. The mission of GALA Choruses is inspiring and strengthening member choruses to change their worlds through song. By fostering the artistic and organizational development of member choruses through a wide variety of programs and services, GALA Choruses produces choral festivals, educational conferences and several publications. It engages in advocacy; provides grants for the commissioning of new choral works; facilitates networking within the Association; and serve as a resource center for choruses and individual Associates from around the world. The Orlando Gay Chorus is licensed by ASCAP, the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers and by BMI, Broadcast Music, Inc., organizations which collect license fees on behalf of songwriters, composers and music publishers and distributes them as royalties to those members whose works have been performed. Harold earned his Bachelor of Arts in Music Education at Baldwin-Wallace College Conservatory of Music in Ohio. With voice as his primary focus, a piano and pipe organ minor helped develop him into an accomplished keyboardist. Currently a Music Educator at Kissimmee’s Gateway High School, Harold has taught at various high schools, and for the Cleveland Boy Choir. He is also Director of Music at Grace Lutheran Church in Lakeland, and a Teaching Artist for the Orlando Repertory Theatre. In 2015, the Davenport School of the Arts named him Teacher of the Year.