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Des Moines GayS4 Men’s Chorus Original Logo Logo Current Logo (with triangle) (without triangle (adopted in 2017) adopted in 2012) . 2 Mission Statement (2004-2020) The Des Moines Gay Men’s Chorus is dedicated to promoting harmony among all while advancing a positive image of gay people through outstanding musicianship, creative programming, and community outreach. Guideposts (2020) Purpose We sing music that matters. Vision We envision a world where unconditional acceptance is woven into our common humanity. Mission The Des Moines Gay Men’s Chorus is a community champion singing to promote harmony, ignite hearts, and move minds. 3 In Memoriam To Our Chorus Brothers Who Now Sing with Angels Dana Barrer (board member) Charles Carnes Stephen Gross Terry Harris Tom Harvey (accompanist) Larry Hoch Russ Kruse James Riepe John Rutt Steve Therrien Hal Thompson David Twombley Harold Wells Lee Willems 4 And so it began… The Origin of the Des Moines Gay Men’s Chorus with Randal A. Buikema Artistic Director 2001-2005 by Wade Petersen 5 Just as with any proud Presbyterian Church and wasn’t up for the first rehearsal? For the first few years, parent, Dr. Randal A. Buikema, completely “out.” Randy was Obviously the turnout was Randy led the Des Moines Gay the founder of the Des Moines Gay hesitant and did not want to tie his encouraging, not only for Randy, Men’s Chorus on a volunteer basis. Men’s Chorus, has watched his name to this venture. but for the brave men who stepped Randy admits that, although the baby grow from its infancy into an During this time, Randy forward (and for some, who time and energy it took to lead the amazing organization. He helped had also started reading the works stepped out of the closet). Yes, for chorus were challenging, there to establish the chorus and was its of Father John McNeill, especially many of the men, publicly was also a certain artistic freedom Artistic Director from 2001 to the book Freedom, Glorious proclaiming their sexuality as part that came with his volunteer 2005 before passing the torch to Freedom, which Randy claimed, of this group was risky. A few men status. A director cannot please Dr. Rebecca Gruber. “I’m very “changed my life.” The autumn even chose to sing with the chorus everyone in the choice of proud that the chorus has before starting the chorus, Randy but asked to have their names repertoire or even the continued and am grateful for and his former partner, Craig withheld in the printed program, philosophical vision for a chorus. those people who have taken over. Mohler, attended a retreat where but that only happened for the The quality of music was always The Des Moines Gay Men’s Chorus an elderly Father McNeill first couple of concerts. paramount to Randy. “It was is now truly an arts organization.” recounted the Biblical story of The costs for music and important to me that we did To know the roots of the Elijah passing the mantle to production in the first year or so mostly music of artistic merit.” chorus, it is important to Elisha, commissioning the retreat were underwritten by Randy Randy prioritized the focus of his document how the Des Moines attendees to likewise “take up the himself (he assumed there would music to present strong, male Gay Men’s Chorus came to be. The mantle and go forth.” It was that be some donations coming at the voices singing meaningful music seeds of the group had been message that ignited the spark for concert to help). The chorus also (“to sing with as much planted with an earlier group from Randy to realize that gay men in received some help with music testosterone as possible”). An the 1980s called the Des Moines Des Moines desperately wanted to from Turtle Creek Chorale (the occasional lighthearted piece Men’s Chorus; at that time, the sing, and “singing is my thing.” prominent gay men’s chorus would filter into the repertoire to identifying word “gay” was too This is what finally convinced him located in Dallas, Texas). Doyle soothe the demands of some, but risky to include in its name. This to take up the challenge of starting Monsma and M.D. Isley this was not to be a choir of just small group of men, led by a the Des Moines Gay Men’s eventually offered to bring some singing Broadway show tunes. volunteer director, rehearsed and Chorus. Randy emphasized that it organizational structure to the Although some members thought performed until the early 1990s was a decision to which both he chorus in 2002 and 2003, along Randy’s passion for rich when it was disbanded. Several and Craig made a commitment. with their backgrounds in challenging music doubled as a years passed, and the desire to The tag-team of Randy and fundraising. A board of directors way of winnowing down the large form a chorus of gay men started Craig would be the driving force headed by Denny Schrock was numbers of singers, Randy will tell circulating by word-of-mouth and for organizing this new singing established, a non-profit status you the opposite. He always online (thanks to those early AOL group. Randy was in charge of was made official, and some other wanted to maintain the large chatrooms). Even though several organizing and recruiting (and financial resources were tapped to numbers of singers in the chorus. men from the original Des Moines obviously the music aspect of help the chorus with costs. Most After the novelty of starting any Men’s Chorus would join, this conducting), while Craig ran notably, local philanthropist Rich new group wears off, there will would be a new chorus. Something backup as a great outgoing social Eychaner was recruited to help undoubtedly be fewer people who different. In fact, many people had person, helping to get men fund many of the needs for the can make the commitment. Randy long lobbied Randy to take the checked in and to moderate the fledging chorus. The First Friday always saw this as a challenge and lead in starting a new chorus, but nervousness of these new singers. Breakfast Club, headed by admits that the task of being a this was still at a time when he was What does an artistic Jonathan Wilson, was also director and managing all the working at Westminster director do when 76 singers show supportive of the chorus. details of the chorus may have left 6 him little time for enough was able to orchestrate the use of concert. “I expected bricks Vilsack came. So that kind of communication to cultivate some the venue for both rehearsals and through the window; people could validation...I heard him relationships. performances. Much preparation easily find where I lived…but processing it [the procession] with One relationship that was went into preparing the first nothing, ever.” In fact, over the another person…and he got it, he always strong was with the chorus’ concert, but would people show up course of his tenure with the completely got it. That was very first accompanist, Tom Harvey. to support an openly identified chorus, the only negative incident powerful.” Tom, who has since passed away, “gay” chorus? There were many he can remember is when Jan One particularly is remembered for his amazing nerves, but Randy said he felt Mickelson, a local (conservative) challenging concert for Randy musicianship as he was with the “empowered” in the mission to radio commentator, made some came in June of 2004 with “A Judy group for its first five years. “It was lead this group of gay singers. disparaging remarks about their Garland Extravaganza.” This was very collegial. He would tell me Randy’s hopes for a sizable performance singing at the Iowa the first concert to specifically about rehearsals and what went audience paid off. The church was Democratic Party’s Jefferson- feature music with more of a well and things that didn’t go well packed! In fact, there was standing Jackson Dinner fundraiser in popular focus. The day before the to give me some great feedback.” room only! Although the small 2003. Randy said, “He made fun show, featured performer In the early years, even the size, heat, and stuffiness of the of us, calling us ‘songbirds’…that Kimberly Fitch (acting and singing generosity of local musicians church may have presented was as close to a gay-slur as we as Judy Garland) developed helped to bolster the chorus. challenges, performing for a full ever got.” The smallness of these laryngitis. Fitch visited the doctor Members of the Des Moines house and getting standing comments was muted by the and received a variety of Chamber Orchestra and the Des ovations was a gift. He remembers satisfaction of having performed treatments to somehow enable her Moines Community Brass and getting pretty emotional during in front of Hillary Clinton. Earlier to “go on with the show.” And it Percussion Ensemble, with whom several songs, and many singers that year in January, the chorus was amazing…and she seemed like Randy has previously established shed tears that day as they was thrilled to have performed at Judy Garland even more! relationships, all volunteered their experienced the love and support Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack’s As the Des Moines Gay time and talents to the chorus. from all the friends, family, and Inauguration. Men’s Chorus continued to “For a bunch of straight orchestra community who showed up. Yes, it Another moving improve and to establish itself as a people, this was quite a statement was about sharing their music, but experience for Randy came in the musical presence in Des Moines, for them to come and help us out.” it was about sharing so much June 2002 concert at Westminster the commitment to lead such an “Do you have a favorite?” is more.

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