The Buffalo Gay Men’s Chorus is one of Western New York’s premier choral ensembles.

The 1891 Fredonia Opera House Performing Arts Center will present the Buffalo Gay Men’s Chorus in concert on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. The event is presented in partnership with the State University of New York at Fredonia’s Pride Alliance.

Under the guidance of Artistic Director Dr. Robert Strauss, the Buffalo Gay Men’s Chorus (BGMC) is one of western New York’s premier choral ensembles. In the group’s spring 2023 concert program, Stronger Than Silence, the group performs a variety of numbers from pop to classical, all of which encourage using your voice to advocate for yourself, for others, and for living authentically.

Highlights of the program are songs from the Social Justice Songbook, many by women composers (Ruth Huber, Abbie Betinis, Andrea Ramsey, Penny Stone), and compositions by NYS composers including “Names” by Rochester’s Mark Alan DeWaters, “Peace” by Buffalo’s Martin J. Wimmer, and the premiere of a commissioned work by SUNY Fredonia graduate Mickie Wadsworth called “Warmth is My Home.” Wadsworth’s piece includes text compiled from a survey distributed to the Buffalo LGTBQIA+ community.

Dedicated to producing vocal music of high quality in the rich tradition of men’s choral singing, members of the BGMC sing to create harmony while celebrating pride in the community and in themselves. This well-known ensemble is recognized for their lush harmonies, laughter and excitement.

The idea of forming a gay men’s chorus in Buffalo was first conceived in 1999. A group of men worked throughout the following year to make the BGMC a reality. Auditions were held in May 2001 with 36 members on board that first day. Soon there were more than 50. At the first rehearsal, the group learned and sang the long-lived and classic American hymn, “How Can I Keep from Singing?” The song remains to this day the BGMC theme song and a continuing reminder for its members of the mutual family togetherness and inspiration that the Chorus always aspires to attain.

Over the years since its creation, the group has commissioned numerous compositions and special arrangements of music, often by well-known local composers. Several awards have been bestowed on the organization, including the Empire State Pride Agenda’s ESPA Award for community service and a Buffalo and Erie County Arts Council Award for exceptional contribution to the arts and community in western NY. The group has been invited to perform with the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra and with Ars Nova. In 2021 and again this past year, the group was invited to sing at the Pride game of the Buffalo Sabres; and the group sang in 2021 as part of the Pride Night celebration for Erie County’s 200th Anniversary.

Tickets are $25 (Adults), $20 (Opera House Members) and $10 (Students) and can be purchased in person at the Opera House Box Office or by phone at 716-679-1891, Tuesday-Friday, 12-4:30 p.m., or online anytime at www.fredopera.org.

Opera House programming is made possible, in part, by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature, and in part by the United Arts Appeal of Chautauqua County.

The 1891 Fredonia Opera House Performing Arts Center is a member-supported not-for-profit performing arts center with a mission to “present the performing arts for the benefit of our community and region … providing access to artistic diversity … and high quality programming at an affordable price.” It is located in Village Hall in downtown Fredonia. For a complete schedule of events, visit www.fredopera.org.