Vision Statement
Many voices, singing as one, the North Coast Men's Chorus will be an integral and valued member of the Northeast Ohio Arts Community through the music we sing, the pride we feel, and the people we cherish.

Mission Statement
The North Coast Men’s Chorus is a community-based musical organization which affirms the gay experience by presenting entertaining, quality performances for diverse audiences; providing a supportive environment for its members; and promoting a positive presence in the gay community and beyond.

Chorus History
The North Coast Men's Chorus is entering its 20th season, continuing the wave of growth and increased public visibility that began under the leadership of Music Director, Rich Cole. As part of this growth and following the Strategic Goals Plan adopted by the Executive Board in 2003, the Chorus has recently added the position of an Executive Director. Jim McPeak will work closely with Rich and also with Board President, Mike Zaverton, while handling day-to-day administrative duties.

Since the Chorus' inception in 1988, Northeast Ohio's largest gay chorus has more than doubled in size to over 100 members - and our audience numbers have done likewise. NCMC began offering two performances of every production during the 2001-02 Season following sellouts of all three performances during the 2000-01 Season. The beginning of our 2006-07 Season, our Holiday show, "A Joyful Noise", saw a three-show performance schedule and very appreciative audiences.

Members of the Chorus represent the widest possible range of diversity: from doctors, lawyers, and bankers, to service workers and everything in between. Our programming reflects the same level of diversity, with singing, dancing and comedy, through music from around the world. The performances have become known for taking the audience through a range of emotions - laughter, tears, giggling, and foot-stomping fun. As one audience member, Sally of Medina, Ohio, noted, "We have had season tickets for several years and I have to say the Chorus gets better and better each year. I don't know how Rich does it, but he has the guys singing with their hearts and it shows. Thank you from the bottom of my heart." Barbara Willberg, co-founder of A Joyful Noise Neighborhood Music School located in Cleveland, Ohio's west-side neighborhood said, "I, personally, was tickled to encounter your antics as a group and am happy to have found a new group's concerts to attend. Thank you for becoming a part of the village that raises these children."

The chorus began Season 19 with "A Joyful Noise"; a gospel-infused Holiday Show. NCMC Music Director Rich Cole combined the NCMC Chorus with special guests, "The Positive Rewards Choir", led by director Tommy Miller. Audience members were invited to purchase Chorus-donated Christmas tree ornaments to raise funds for two local charities, the Fairhill Center's Kinship Program and A Joyful Noise Neighborhood Music School. Each charity received $1,000 each through the generosity of our audiences.

"On The Radio", our Spring Concert presented the audience with a departure from our usual Chorus styling. We provided a scripted, theatrically-based program segueing staged vignettes taking the audience from era-to-era, with songs, dance numbers, and narratives. With song and dance numbers choreographed by Lora Workman, special effects lighting by Michael Rich and a script by Dan Bobenczko, the show was indeed a "successful fantastical performance".

Season 19 ended with "A Time For Us". We began our Saturday Pride Concert performance by marching in the Parade and providing a Main Stage performance at the Pride Festival. Later that evening, our concert hall performance included songs from Hairspray, complete with big, big hair; and "The Aggies' Song" from the Best Little Whorehouse in Texas featured dancing choreographed by Lora Workman by Chorus members in football jerseys. A heart-rending "Acceptance" from "Requiem" was performed with the Chorus' small ensemble, The Coastliners, singing a portion in Latin. The evening and Season ended on Sunday with the presentation of the first North Coast Men's Chorus Distinguished Service Award. Mr. & Mrs. Robert Strommen became recipients for their unswerving volunteer commitment to the Chorus and their ancillary involvement in PFLAG (Parents and Friends of Lesbians And Gays).

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