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View our Documentary
Mission Statement
OEBGMC at a Glance
On Q
Founder, Dick Kramer
Organization History
Artistic Director &
Conductors
Board Presidents
Accompanists
Staff
Oakland-East Bay Gay Men's Chorus
Mission Statement
"Inspired by fellowship discovered in the celebration of
choral music, the members of the Oakland-East Bay Gay Men's
Chorus engage and entertain the community."
Oakland-East Bay
Gay Men's Chorus
OEBGMC is the 40 to 50 voice gay men's chorus that holds
the same name as its 501(c)(3) organization. OEBGMC
performs a wide variety of music, from Classical to Broadway, in four
seasonal and numerous church, community and outreach
performances every year. OEBGMC is the most active and well
known Gay Arts organization in the Oakland and East Bay region
of California. Centrally located in Oakland, it serves many
communities, with members from San Jose to Napa.
On Q
On Q is OEBGMC's select small ensemble.
Formerly known as the Bridge and Tunnel Boys, and Otto Voci,
the group's main
purpose is community outreach. Performing a broad range
of music from a capella Classical to Broadway and Pop, On Q's
size and mobility enables the organization to reach deep into
the community throughout the year.
Founder
Dick Kramer (1930 - 2007) stood at the forefront of the
gay choral movement since the day in 1978 that Harvey Milk and
George Moscone were assassinated in San Francisco City Hall.
He joined San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus that night and soon
took over as their director. Mr. Kramer led SFGMC in its 1981
tour throughout the United States.
In 1981, Dick
Kramer met with a small group of individuals and founded the
Gay and Lesbian Association of Choruses (GALA Choruses). In 1982, Dick Kramer formed the gay men's chorus sporting his
name, now known as the Golden Gate Gay Men's Chorus. He also
served as director of the Contra Costa Chorale, from 1983 until
2004. In 1999, he founded the Oakland-East Bay Gay Men's
Chorus.
Mr. Kramer
studied at Occidental College in Los Angeles and worked as a
high school choral music teacher. He soon embarked on a
music career, appearing and touring with Carmel Bach Festival, Knickerbocker
Quartet, Santa Fe Opera, Roger Wagner Chorale, and Robert Shaw
Chorale. While performing, Dick also served as vocal/choral professor at Contra Costa College
and conducted a
weekly Gregorian Chant Mass at St. Patrick's Catholic Church
of San Francisco.
In 2001, Dick
Kramer received the Pax et Bonum Award for Service to the
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Community from Dignity
San Francisco. His legacy stretches worldwide, having
inspired hundreds of
thousands of singers. Dick Kramer not only single-handedly
forged the gay choral movement, but using music, he entertained,
engaged and inspired our society, building the foundations to
bring ALL people together.
OEBGMC Organization
History
Oakland-East Bay Gay Men's Chorus began in September of 1999
when Dick Kramer set up a booth at East Bay Pride (Oakland)
and recruited members to create a gay men’s chorus for the
East Bay. The chorus made its first public appearance that
following December at a meeting of The Lavender Seniors in San
Leandro.
Oakland-East Bay Gay Men's Chorus solidified under the umbrella
organization Pacific Center for Human Growth, and created a 3 concert season (Spring, East Bay
Pride, Holiday). In January 2006, OEBGMC became
independent and acquired its very own 501(c)(3)
status.
OEBGMC takes
pride in having a voice that reaches deep into the community.
It has shared the stage with The San Francisco Lesbian/Gay
Chorus, Opus Q, Voices-A Lesbian Ensemble, The Silicon Valley
Gay Men’s Chorus, The Women’s Rainbow Chorus, SDK (formerly
the Bear-a-Tones), Out On A Clef and small ensembles from
SFGMC. OEBGMC has raised funds and donated concert proceeds
to The Rainbow Community Center, The Lighthouse Community
Center, The Center for AIDS Services and The Pacific Center
for Human Growth. OEBGMC is proud of the work its
members do and of
the contribution they make to the East Bay community as well as
to the Greater Bay Area.
Artistic Director
& Conductors
Dick Kramer (1999 - 2003)
Michael Carlson (2004 - 2006)
Brandon Adams, interim (2007)
Kathleen Hollingsworth, interim (2007)
Michael Robert Patch (2008 - Current)
Board Presidents
Joe Oshinski (2000)
Kim Boyd (2001)
John Rogers (2002)
Eric Borgerson (2002)
Scott Stewart (2003)
Peter Dempsey (2004 - 2005)
John Niec
(2005)
Richard Fairly (2006 - 2007)
Brad Niess (2008)
Peter Dempsey
(2009)
Brad Niess
(2010)
Accompanists
Scott Stewart
Thaddeus Pinkston
Wendell Frey
Ben Kiem
(2007 - 2008)
John Lehrack
(2009 - Current)
Staff
Ellen Taylor,
Chorus Manager (2005 - 2009)
Dirk Burns, House
Manager & Event
Coordinator (2009 - Current)
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