Jim Davis believes Greenville not only will accept a gay men’s chorus but embrace it wholeheartedly.
“I think Greenville is definitely ready for us,” says Davis. “I’ve had a lot of support from the community in general. So many people have said, ‘It’s about time.’”
Davis is the artistic director of The Pride of Greenville Men’s Chorus, which he believes is South Carolina’s only gay men’s chorus, founded earlier this year.
The 20-voice Pride of Greenville makes it debut this Saturday at the Warehouse Theatre.
The program includes Americana standards such as “Shenandoah” as well as some patriotic music and spirituals, followed by some solos and a variety show.
The $25 ticket includes admission to AID Upstate’s RED Party at Zen later Saturday night. Proceeds benefit AID Upstate and the chorus.
The Pride of Greenville aims to make beautiful music even as it helps to influence public opinion through song – by promoting tolerance, awareness and positive images, says Davis.
The group also serves as a community of acceptance for its singers.
“A lot of guys who are in our chorus are involved in other musical endeavors but they feel they have to compartmentalize their lives,” says Davis, a former music minister. “In this ensemble, they feel they can really be themselves.”
Gay and lesbian choruses are not a new addition to arts communities nationwide. The first ensembles were organized almost 40 years ago, according to GALA, an international association of gay and lesbian choruses.
In the United States, there currently are more than 150 gay and lesbian choruses.
Davis says he found tremendous support for creating a gay men’s chorus here.
“I was encouraged to start a chorus so I put a message on Facebook and within a day I had 70 responses,” says Davis, an accountant at a local heating and air conditioning company. “A vital reason that many choruses have appeared on the scene is that it’s time for people to know who we are.”
He says the ensemble is open to both gay and straight men.
Davis and the group’s other founders are committed to establishing the ensemble as a permanent fixture on the local arts scene. In addition to Saturday’s concert, the group will appear at the June 4 Upstate Pride march and festival in Spartanburg.
The ensemble will perform its first full concert at Center Stage on July 8-9.
“It’ll be a wide mix of music,” says Davis. “We begin with Baroque selections and then offer some classic choral literature, add some show tunes and we’re working on some Lady Gaga.”
In addition, the group is planning Christmas and spring concerts.
Davis says the experience of gay and lesbian choruses nationwide is that communities generally welcome the ensembles with open arms.
“It’s almost like coming out,” says Davis. “There’s so much fear surrounding it. But once you come out, you’re constantly amazed at the love that’s shone back. It’s the same with the chorus.”
