The mission of the Gateway Men’s Chorus is to affirm and promote gay culture and acceptance through excellence in musical performance and education. To fulfill its mission, the chorus annually presents a three-concert season, performing a breadth of work ranging from classical choral repertoire to Broadway classics, from holiday favorites to iconic LGBT choral anthems, and many of the songs that helped shape our lives. The organization continues to participate in a wide range of special events and community outreach activities throughout the region,including sporting events, Pride, and local fundraisers.
In the fall of 1987, an advertisement ran in the Gay and Lesbian News Telegraph seeking men interested in forming St Louis’s first gay chorus. By the spring of 1988, the chorus had grown to 22 men and, under the direction of Michael Cohrs, presented its first concert -- One Voice.
Throughout its first 31 years, the Gateway Men’s Chorus has opened its stage to over 650 singers and performed over 1200 musical works. The chorus has commissioned a number of pieces through the years, including adaptations of poetry standards, Supreme Court speeches, and satirical works. Many of these works have since been performed by choruses throughout the country, carrying the legacy of GMC from coast-to- coast. And, in addition to appearing on stages around St. Louis, the chorus has perform