Since 1986
Our HistoryExplore our History
1986-1996
Credit: Gordon Johnson
Taking the Initiative
In the summer of 1986 Gordon Johnston, inspired by the example of the Vancouver Men’s Chorus, conceived of a gay men’s choral group for Ottawa. An article on the Vancouver Chorus in GO Info, the local gay newspaper, was the spur.
Through contacts in the gay community, including the Metropolitan Community Church, active at the time, he brought together a small organising group in late August, including Barry Deeprose, Tom Gallagher, Mark Krayenhoff, Glen Lewis and Ralph Wushke. This group was determined to recruit by word-of-mouth for rehearsals beginning that autumn. The Ottawa Men’s Chorus (OMC) was thus formed and held its first rehearsal September 9, 1986.
First Concert
The Ottawa Men’s Chorus would hold its first concert on December 13, 1986 at St. George’s Anglican Church with a full program of choral music. Ottawa had held its first pride picnic that summer at Strathcona Park. From the beginning, the Chorus found quick uptake, with a dozen members from the start, and rapid growth.
Ottawa Citizen – December 6, 1986
The chorus developed its mission statement in 1988, aiming “to perform quality men’s choral music and to contribute to the gay community.”
The Ottawa Men’s Chorus performs for the first time on December 13, 1986.
Photo Credit: Andrew Currie-Beckstead
In addition to its annual concerts, the Ottawa Men’s Chorus sang at many community functions. Pictured OGMC performing at PTS Gala (top, c. 1987), EGALE Fundraiser (bottom, 1987)
Credit: Philip Hannan
Gordon Johnston commenting on the omission of the word ‘gay’, “If we’d had the “g” word in there, it would have been the Ottawa gay men’s duet.”
Gordon Johnston, Ottawa
Credit: Philip Hannan
building networks
The OMC would hold its first joint concert in Toronto on April 15, 1989 and in Ottawa a week later on April 22, 1989. That summer, the Chorus would participate in Ottawa’s first Pride parade.
That same year, the OMC performed its Christmas Concert Season’s Tidings in both Ottawa and Montreal, “to encourage the formation of a gay community chorus” in that city. Having the opportunity to sing outside Ottawa was also important in building the confidence and excitement of members.
a Pan-canadian festival
Support from outside Ottawa was also important, particularly the encouragement received from the Vancouver Men’s Chorus and its director, Willy Zwozdesky, to host a pan-Canadian Lesbian and Gay Choruses festival called “Galafest Canada 1991”, with Toronto Gay Men’s Chorus, Vancouver Men’s Chorus and the Ottawa Women’s Chorus at the St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts, Toronto and at Centrepointe Theatre, Ottawa.
“A Day without Art” benefit for AIDS at the National Gallery of Canada.
Photo credit: Philip Hannan
IN MEMORIAM
The HIV/AIDS crisis was a constant threat in the gay community in the 1980s and into the 90s. AIDS was no abstract issue, as it directly affected Chorus members, partners and friends. In 1991, the choir performed at the “A Day without Art” benefit for AIDS at the National Gallery of Canada.
The following year, the OMC performed the first of several concerts “In Memoriam” of community members who had passed away, and continues to pay remembrance to recently departed friends during its concerts.
In part a response to the ongoing epidemic and complacency at political levels, this period marked a very active and prolific period for the OGMC and the queer choral movement.
Joining voices, JOINING FORCES
The Ottawa Men’s Chorus took part in its first international GALA festival, GALA IV hosted by Denver, Colorado, in July 1992. The OMC would continue to take part in many joint concerts with choruses from Montreal, Toronto, and here in Ottawa.
Angela Casagrande took the role of guest conductor in 1992 – 1993, and continued with the tradition of co-hosting and performing with choirs in Ottawa and in Montreal, with Gordon returning as Musical Director in 1993 for the chorus’ holiday concert season.
Our apologies to Michael Lucero.
The OGMC presents its new name in 1996, now in both English and French.
Credit: Shawn Scallen, XTRA
affirming our identity
In 1996, the Ottawa Men’s Chorus attended another international GALA festival, held in Tampa, Florida, and celebrated its first decade that June with an updated logo and a new name!
1996-2006
CANADIAN FESTIVAL RETURNS
In 1997, the recently renamed Ottawa Gay Men’s Chorus performed with In Harmony, Tone Cluster and Vox Femina, in a Pride concert organized by the Ottawa Rainbow Choral Alliance, an initiative to assemble the city’s 2SLGBTQ+ choruses together in song, on the same stage.
The following year, the OGMC attended the inaugural Canadian GALA Choruses Festival in the spring of 1998 in Edmonton. The festival would be held every four years.
Colour Me Proud, a joint concert with the Ottawa-Carleton Police Chorus in June 1998, was a big step in helping bridge the rift between the local police force and the gay community at the time. This was Gordon Johnson’s last concert directing the chorus.
“It is a momentous time when community members gather together to listen to song and music. It is a historic time when the communities are the local police and gay men’s choruses.“
Brian J Ford, Chief of Police, Ottawa
INTERNATIONAL GALA 2000 - SAN JOSE
Marg Stubbington (who then conducted Vox Femina and Tone Cluster) would work with the choir as Musical Director between 1998 – 2002, with Paul Wharram guest conducting during 1998, and Peter Workman taking the reins as Musical Director in 2002 and 2003.
Marg Stubbington would direct the chorus at the international GALA Festival 2000 in San Jose, California.
The Ottawa Gay Men’s Chorus with Marg Stubbington attending the international GALA festival in San Jose, 2000.
Credit: OGMC archives
The Stage for AIDS 5: Pop Si-Cool in 2000.
Credit: OGMC archives
The stage foR aids 5: pop si-cool
The chorus would share the stage with multiple Canadian artists at the NAC for “The Stage for AIDS 5: Pop Si-Cool” in 2000. The Chorus also attended the Canadian GALA Festival in Toronto in 2002 with Marg at the podium.
Credit: OGMC Archives
GALA VII - MOntreal
Leith Chu took over as Musical Director in 2003 and the Ottawa Gay Men’s Chorus gave its first concert at the Fourth Stage, National Arts Centre, in July, 2003.
In 2004, Leith and the OGMC took the stage at the international GALA VII festival, this time, held close to home in Montreal.
20 Years of Song
In 2005, Steve Alexander takes the baton as Musical Director until 2007.
In 2006, the Ottawa Gay Men’s Chorus celebrates two decades as a choir with 20 Years of Song.
Steven Alexander rehearses with the Chorus in the choir room.
Credit: OGMC Archives
Angels...from a different angle
December 11 & 12, 1999
First Baptist Church
Disco Divas
April 8 & 9, 2000
Alumni Theatre, Carleton University
Then, Now and Forever
July 7 & 8, 2000
Barrymore’s Music Hall
Bells & Beaux
December 9 & 10, 2000
First Baptist Church
15 Years of Pride
July 7, 2001
Glebe Community Centre
Gay Hallelujahs
December 8, 2001
First Baptist Church
A Special Valentine
February 16, 2002
Glebe Community Centre
Sex...the Concert
July 6, 2002
Barrymore’s Music Hall
Holiday Reflections
December 7 & 8, 2002
First Baptist Church
Spring Out!
March 22 & 23, 2003
First Baptist Church
Let's Do It
July 4 & 5, 2003
Fourth Stage, National Arts Centre
Joy!
December 1, 2003
Notes from Abroad
April 17 & 18, 2004
Fourth Stage, National Arts Centre
Lights!
December 4 & 5, 2004
First Baptist Church
Camera!
April 1 & 2, 2005
Fourth Stage, National Arts Centre
Action!
July 8, 2005
Auditorium of the
Library and Archives of Canada
2006-2016
The OGMC pose following their spring concert in 2009.
Credit: OGMC Archives
The chorus hit a new stride in its third decade together. Joseph McEachren would take the helm in 2007 as Musical and Artistic Director, holding the role for the next thirteen years.
BUILDING BRIDGES
Despite an abated AIDS emergency and our right to marriage secured, we would continue to find cause, as much as ever, to be a voice for our community. We were still losing many friends to AIDS and we were still being harrassed in the street. We were also becoming more aware of changing needs in the community, as it too diversified. In 2009, the Chorus would again sing alongside the Ottawa Police Chorus and local queer choirs for the Pride concert Building Bridges, in an ongoing effort to bring about a greater understanding of our community by law enforcement.
The OGMC marches in the 2009 Ottawa Pride Parade.
Credit: OGMC Archives
Credit: OGMC Archives
a gay ol' time
In 2010, the OGMC attended the Unison Festival in Winnipeg. In 2011, the OGMC adopted its current logo.
The OGMC launches the successful Gay Ol’ Time Cabaret series to showcase the musical and stage talents of chorus members and invited guests. Held at the NACs Fourth Stage, this fundraiser draws out a diverse audience and raises the profile of the OGMC in the broader community
OGMC Co-hosts UNison 2014
The OGMC co-hosts Unison Ottawa 2014 Many Voices, One Song with Tone Cluster and In Harmony in Ottawa. Over 500 delegates from 19 choirs are in attendance.
Longtime member Claude Dufresne and Joseph McEachren take to the airwaves to promote the OGMC and its upcoming 30th anniversary events.
30th anniversary
The OGMC would celebrate its 30th Anniversary with an open air performance by the choir and guests and picnic at Minto Park.
Christmas Past
December 10, 2006
First Baptist Church
Spring Bouquet
May 26, 2007
First Baptist Church
Making Spirits Bright
December 9, 2007
First Baptist Church
Spring Bouquet 2008
May 31, 2008
First Baptist Church
Christmas is Love
December 14, 2008
First Baptist Church
Prelude to Summer
May 30, 2009
First Baptist Church
Holiday Harmony
December 13, 2009
First Baptist Church
2016-2026
The Ottawa Gay Men’s Chorus rekindles the popular Gay Ol’ Time Cabaret in its new home at St. Brigid’s Centre for the Arts in the fall of 2017.
The OGMC attends Unison 2018 in Calgary, held at the beautiful Bella Concert Hall, Mount Royal University.
The same year, the OGMC was invited by the Public Service Pride Network to sing on Parliament Hill at its first Pride event for staff and guests.
The chorus was halfway through rehearsals for its 2020 spring concert when COVID struck and made the decision to hold it online. Named One Song, each piece in the final recording of the concert was assembled from multiple overlaid recordings of each member’s rendition of their part. It was released for Pride in August that year.
Tim Piper took over as Musical Director in 2020 after having worked as the accompanist for the Chorus since 2015. The OGMC would put on two more virtual concerts, including the aptly named The Show Must Go On, keeping members engaged through the lockdown. The Chorus regrouped in fall 2021 to come together to put on A Winter Faerie holiday concert for a live audience that December. In Spring 2022, the Chorus moves into the Gladstone for OGMC Goes to the Movies.
The OGMC presents its first virtual concert in 2020.
OGMC Goes to the Movies in its new home at the Gladstone Theatre in 2022.
The Ottawa Gay Men’s Chorus attends Open Harbour – Unison Festival 2023, sending 21 delegates to join members of 22 participating LGBTQ2S+ choruses from across Canada. This was Tim Piper’s first Unison as Musical Director.
The OGMC receives a Unison Legacy award for its role in hosting the Unison Festival in Ottawa in 2014.
Members of the chorus sing O Canada for 20,000 spectators at Lansdowne – TD Place for their ‘All In’ Pride game, 2023.
The OGMC launches a refreshed website with a new design and new archival content.