McGuire Named Conductor Laureate

San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus is pleased to announce that it
has bestowed upon Dr. Kathleen McGuire the title of Conductor
Laureate. In the thirty-two year history of the Chorus, she is the
first recipient of this prestigious title. The honor bears witness
to her outstanding artistic achievements with the Chorus for more
than a decade.

Dr. McGuire remarked: “I am deeply moved by this great honor,
and feel sincerely humbled to be recognized in this way. I will
treasure the title – and my fond memories of the Chorus – always.”

The appointment comes following Dr. McGuire’s final concert
as the Artistic Director and Conductor of SFGMC. Guests from around
the world attended the 9 p.m. concert at the Castro Theatre on 24th
December, which featured the premiere of Dr. McGuire’s re-voicing
for men’s chorus of “Judah and his Maccabees” by Karen Hart. Other
highlights of the evening included the presentation of two framed
posters spanning Dr. McGuire’s decade at the podium and a bust of
Harvey Milk (with whom McGuire shares her birth date). Associate
Artistic Director, Carl Pantle, led members of the Chorus,
including alumni who were invited to come on stage, in an emotional
final gesture of gratitude to McGuire at the end of the concert by
linking arms and singing “Irish Blessing” in her honor.

Michael Tate, Board President, was also on hand to deliver a
speech of appreciation that brought the entire audience to its feet
in a spontaneous and heartfelt standing ovation for Dr. McGuire’s
contributions to SFGMC.

San Francisco City Supervisors David Campos and Bevan Dufty
will formally present the title to Dr. McGuire at San Francisco
City Hall on Tuesday, January 18 at 6 p.m. The event is open to the
public.

Born in Melbourne, Australia, Dr. McGuire came to the US in
1995, received her doctorate at the University of Colorado at
Boulder, and began her tenure as Artistic Director of SFGMC in
August of 2000. A hallmark of her time with SFGMC has been the way
in which she encouraged the Chorus to connect with diverse
communities in search of freedom and equality. It is in this
tradition that in September 2010, Dr. McGuire founded Singers Of
The Street: a choir for people who are homeless or marginalized and
those who support them, singing for justice, healing and joy. She
also continues as Conductor of the Community Women’s Orchestra,
having begun her tenure with them in 2005.

ENDS

For more information and photography please contact:

Teddy Witherington at (415) 845-1206

Experience SFGMC online at http://www.youtube.com/SFGMCVideo