Standards and Expectations for Membership

Fostering pride and enhancing lives, one song at a time!

The Sacramento Gay Men’s Chorus (SGMC) is a volunteer choral ensemble consisting of singers who are at least 18 years of age who are dedicated to increasing awareness of, and support for, the entire LGBTQ+ community. We strongly encourage people who do not identify as gay men to join the chorus. SGMC always welcomes new members of ALL sexual orientations, gender expressions, ethnicities, backgrounds, and skill levels who can sing tenor or bass parts.

Rehearsals and Performances

As a performing arts group, SGMC strives to enrich and entertain its audiences through varied concerts on stage and various performances comprising a range of vocal, musical, theatrical, and dance presentations. SGMC provides up to four holiday performances the first (or second) full weekend of December, with additional performances throughout December. Concerts often include “choralography” or movement easily done on risers. The chorus is frequently invited to make additional appearances at special events within the greater community throughout the year.

Rehearsals are held on Thursday evenings from 7 to 9:30pm at the CLARA Studio for the Performing Arts in Midtown Sacramento (2420 N Street). Sunday sectional rehearsals are scheduled regularly throughout each spring and fall rehearsal schedule. Dress and technical rehearsals are scheduled during show week leading up to all performances. Additional rehearsals are scheduled occasionally as needed. Full rehearsal schedules are distributed well in advance.

Membership Standards

SGMC is dedicated to providing its audiences with high-quality performances of choral music while maintaining an atmosphere of camaraderie, support, and respect for its members. Although SGMC seeks trained singers and musicians with a background in choral singing and the ability to read music, singers with intermediate experience are also sought and encouraged.

Members are expected to gain continual improvement and to exhibit a willingness to work to their highest vocal and musical potential. Additionally, members must be willing to work on music outside of rehearsal and perform it from memory. All shows require complete memorization of all music and choreography unless otherwise indicated.

Singers are required to be at ALL tech week rehearsals and concerts. Singers are allowed to miss a maximum of three weekly rehearsals prior to show week before needing to meet with either the Artistic Director to verify their level of preparedness.

Membership dues are $30 per month over 12 months or $360 for the year. Assistance is provided for purchasing/providing their own concert attire (formal and other costuming/attire as appropriate). A show T-shirt is provided for each concert.

Voice Placement

All members of SGMC must sing in the TTBB vocal ranges. The voice placement process is informal and primarily conducted to place the singer in their appropriate voice part/section. Voice placements for SGMC are intended to be a low-stress experience. Typically, the Artistic Director asks the auditionee to perform a few basic musical exercises to test vocal range, vocal memory, and sight-reading ability. No prepared music or choreography is required. 

During your voice placement, you will need to demonstrate the following to the Artistic Director:

• A pleasant, healthy vocal sound
• A sense of pitch and rhythm
• The ability to blend with other voices and follow direction
• The willingness, self-motivation, and ability to learn music relatively quickly through rehearsal, rehearsal tracks, and other means as provided

Before auditioning for voice placement, interested singers with no choral experience should investigate the requirements for developing a singing voice and learning new music. While singing for SGMC will be one of the more engaging and memorable experiences of your life, it doesn’t come without a commitment of time and focus.

Solo Opportunities

For each concert, there are typically opportunities for solos. The Artistic Director will announce the time and place for solo auditions during rehearsal. Any singing member of the chorus may try out for solos. Soloists outside of the chorus are sometimes sought to encourage collaborative networking within the musical community.

Not a Singer? You can still join SGMC!

You don't have you be a singer to be an essential part of SGMC! We depend on volunteers to help make our organization strong. Volunteer duties include administrative, event, rehearsal and performance support, and fundraising projects. Non-singing members may also serve on committees, including marketing, membership, and the production team.

To learn more about becoming a non-singing member of SGMC, please contact our volunteer coordinator at volunteers@sacgaymenschorus.com.