Event

33rd Annual Holiday Concert

The holiday season often reminds us of times spent with loved ones. This year as it launches a new member of its own family, the Atlanta Gay Men's Chorus celebrates family members both given and chosen in Seasons of Family, the AGMC's 33rd holiday concert. The 2013 edition of this beloved annual event will be presented Friday, Dec. 6 at 8 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 7 at both 2 and 8 p.m. in the concert's long-time home, The Cathedral of St. Philip, 2744 Peachtree Road NW in Buckhead.

The holiday concert will feature a number of special arrangements of familiar holiday tunes, from "Home for the Holidays" to the Peanuts "Christmas Time is Here," "I Saw Three Ships," Benjamin Britten's "This Little Babe" and the amusing "Throw the Yule Log On, Uncle John" and "Good King Kong Looked Out" by P.D.Q. Bach.

The concert will premiere a special "Ave Maria" written by Robison dedicated to the memory and service of Dennis R. Nance, who joined the chorus in 1981, its first year, and was the AGMC's longest-singing member. Nance died in July 2013.

"For so many of us, Dennis was the AGMC," Robison stated. "Over the years, he welcomed
hundreds of new members to the chorus family. He arranged or adapted countless songs that have made our concerts so special. He was a long-standing member of Panache, our
select ensemble, and for many years Dennis had the time-consuming but mission-critical task of particularly as we approach the holidays, keeping our thousands of pieces of music catalogued and available. He is so greatly missed, and we dedicate this song to him."

The concert will also feature the song for which the event is named, "Seasons of Family," recognizing that many of us have not always felt welcomed at holiday gatherings.