The Gay Gotham Chorus has established itself as one of the foremost all-male choruses in the New York City area since its founding fifteen years ago. Founded by a group of gay men who wanted to sing a different repertoire from that of the New York City Gay Men's Chorus, the Gay Gotham Chorus has continually focused its performances on music by the great masters of both historical and contemporary classical music.

Under the leadership of Dr. Jonathan Babcock, artistic director of the Chorus for the past seven years, the group has solidified its emphasis on strong musicianship and innovative approaches to the artistry of male choral music. With the guidance of our executive committee, the group's membership adopted a new Mission Statement this year that clearly articulates this direction for the Chorus. We are now seeking to broaden our audience, membership, and performance base with a new vigor. Accordingly, we have chosen to rename ourselves, using a new name that reflects our classical repertoire and concert music but still maintains our identity as primarily an artistic organization of gay men. After a long process involving all members, we have selected the Empire City Men's Chorus to be our new name.

It is the Chorus's hope that in going forward under our new banner we not lose sight of our beginnings and the communal unity of gay men brought together through the rehearsing and performing of great music. We intend to maintain this identity while emphasizing the artistic quality and musicianship of our members, our director, and the concerts we present. To this end we invite all who know and love the Gay Gotham Chorus to follow and support us in the future as the Empire City Men's Chorus.

See our website at www.empirecitymenschorus.org for more information about our exciting upcoming 2007-2008 season. If you share our vision and wish to become a member of the Empire City Men's Chorus, auditions will be held August 28 and 30. Please call 212 362-3179 for more information or to schedule an appointment.