The Gay Men’s Chorus of Los Angeles (GMCLA) performed in Mercer Hall on Friday, Nov. 22. More than 200 faculty, staff and students attended the in-school performance, which featured music, interactive lessons and testimonials.
Choir teacher Allison Cheng said that she met the Musical Director and Conductor of GMCLA, Ernest Harrison, at the Choral Music Program at the University of Southern California Thornton School of Music. Cheng explained that after an issue involving alleged homophobic comments made by a former staff member, she wanted to host the GMCLA to demonstrate that choir at Pali is a safe space for all students.
“I wanted to help create a new community while repairing the old one, so something like this seemed right,” Cheng said.
The GMCLA first formed in 1979 at the Plummer Park Community Center in Los Angeles. Since its formation, the chorus has performed in several different venues, including the Walt Disney Concert Hall and the Hollywood Bowl.
Pali students were invited by their teachers to watch and cheer on the GMCLA during fourth period. The performance opened with a cover of “I’m Coming Out,” led by Harrison. Additionally, the chorus sang songs such as “He’s Not Heavy, He’s My Brother,” “True Colors,” “Make Them Hear You,” and “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough.” Harrison said these songs share the theme of community.
Harrison had the audience stand up and perform vocal warmups and dance moves from their seats. He recognized that this might feel silly to audience members, but justified the activity by saying: “at least we’re all in this together. Being silly alone may get you laughed at, but being silly in a group may get you an Oscar for Wicked.”
There were four speeches given throughout the performance, discussing topics such as suicide prevention, giving back to community and the importance of music.
Pali graduate Paul Miller was among those who made testimonials. He expressed gratitude for his time in high school and the friends he made while performing in musical theatre.
“Whatever it is that you do, I encourage you to lean into your friendships,” he said. “Your friends are your family.”
Pali senior and choir student Ivan Munn attended the performance. He said he found the GMCLA’s ability to create a strong community inspiring.
“It was really cool to see so many people come together,” he said. “They all were different ages and had different jobs, but it was clear that they could connect over music.”
During 19-year GMCLA member Lee Stickler’s speech, Munn reminisced on his time in New York on the Pali choir trip last semester.
“When he talked about the AIDS crisis, it reminded me of the plaque in the Museum of Broadway with all the names of the Broadway performers that died due to AIDS,” he said. “It was nice that [Stickler] was able to honor those he lost, but obviously tragic what they went through.”
Harrison finished off the performance by explaining the importance of community, and how it can look different for everyone.
“Community affirms your place in the world and your right to exist,” Harrison said. “That might be the football team, or the cheerleading squad, it doesn’t matter— what matters is that it is feeding positively into your life.”
