About Us

Out Loud is a community chorus of the Pikes Peak region that is organized to provide the opportunity for gay men and their friends to sing together. Out Loud is a program of Rocky Mountain Arts Association and is a member of GALA Choruses, the international association of the lesbian and gay choral movement. Rocky Mountain Arts Association exists to build community through music. It is our goal to use the deep and enriching power of music as a means of fellowship and as a vehicle to reach out to the local GLBT community and the community at large. Through song, our nearly 60 members act as goodwill ambassadors to present a positive image of the GLBT community. Since our beginning in January of 2006 we have been inspired and energized at the generous outpouring of support from other organizations, family, and friends. It is because of this enormous support that we eagerly move forward to realize our goals and dreams with a conviction and dedication to our music and to our community.

Our History

Out Loud: The Colorado Springs Men’s Chorus had its beginnings in the fall of 2005 with 8 members of First Congregational Church - United Church of Christ in Colorado Springs. It had its official inception in January of 2006 with the addition of chorus director Charlie Kurchinski and a total of 21 members. These members were a part of the first Out Loud concert, "A Night on Broadway," on April 22, 2006. The inaugural concert attracted almost 900 audience members who happily gathered in a space only meant to hold 450. The incredibly cramped audience eagerly chanted, "Be Proud, Out Loud," as we took the stage for our opening number and made history in the Colorado Springs community. We were honored to have the Denver Gay Men's Chorus in the audience that evening, which surprised us in the middle of the concert with the song "We Are a Family". It was an evening that will live in our hearts forever. Out Loud's initial concert received an enormous amount of support and correspondence from other gay choruses, citizens, family, and friends. The concert was front-page news in the Colorado Springs Gazette, was circulated by the Associated Press, and published on the home page of the Advocate website. The Advocate magazine further honored Out Loud in its June 6, 2006 issue when they asked Chorus President and founding member Guy McPherson for a "first hand" account of the organization and its opening night concert.

Rocky Mountain Arts Association

Rocky Mountain Arts Association (RMAA) was founded in 1982 by a group of gay men who sought artistic expression and wanted a place other than bars to gather socially and safely. Our first chorus, the Denver Gay Men's Chorus (DGMC) was the first arts program in Colorado to use "gay" in its name. Now in our 26th year, RMAA has performed over 300 concerts in 12 states and 2 countries, to audiences of over one million people. In 1984 RMAA launched two additional programs, the Denver Women’s Chorus and the Mile High Freedom Band, both of which became their own nonprofits in 1992.

In 2006, Out Loud: The Colorado Springs Men's Chorus (Out Loud) formed as the first gay men's chorus in the Pikes Peak region. Following a period of collaboration between Out Loud and RMAA, Out Loud officially became a program of RMAA in August, 2006. In August, 2007, RMAA launched a third chorus, Mosaic Youth Chorus (Mosaic) for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer and questioning youth and their straight allies, ages 14 to 20. Mosaic rehearses in the same space in which DGMC was formed in 1982.

In 2007 RMAA celebrated its 25th anniversary of building community through music. We have worked through incredible growth and change, all in support of this significant milestone and our future.

Now with three choruses and over 160 singers, RMAA has increased its reach from 33 activities in our last fiscal year to 51 completed and scheduled activities this fiscal year.

Letter from President, Guy McPherson

At the foot of the Rocky Mountains in the shadow of Pikes Peak is Colorado Springs. When summer arrives in the Pikes Peak region, so do the afternoon thundershowers. What is just a small fluffy cloud on the top of the majestic Pikes Peak quickly develops into massive dark black clouds swiftly moving to blanket the entire city. The wind picks up; bolts of lighting are dancing across the sky followed by ear splitting thunder and then the rain starts. It is not just any rain, but a drenching, soaking rain. People take cover, and children run in to the house as the rain gushes down the street over the curbs. Pools of water develop on the roads making driving dangerous and the town is soaking wet. But just as quickly as the rain starts, it stops as if a water faucet was turned off. Soon the clouds break up; the sun begins to shine--drying up all the water. The rain seems to make everything new again. The grass is greener, the trees seem to sparkle in the sunlight and the birds celebrate. For many GLBT people living in Colorado Springs we have felt that we have been living under the dark cloud of the religious right for far too long, staying in our houses to avoid getting soaked by rhetoric. Our voices could not be heard over the thunder of those who do not believe in love, equality and marriage for all. The storm is over for us in the GLBT community, and we are ready to move out of the shadows and darkness and into the light!

Being a part of Out Loud: The Colorado Springs Men's Chorus is truly amazing. With a lot of hard work and a little luck, Out Loud finished its first season with amazing success. Though we can look back with pride at all our accomplishments, we must now look ahead to the future. As we begin our 2007/2008 season, we must not lose our focus and get lost in the details of rehearsing and planning. We must remember that Out Loud is here to open people’s hearts and minds by building community through music. Inviting a hesitant friend, co-worker or a family member to an Out Loud concert or an outreach event helps put a face to all the GLBT issues and ballot referendums we are facing today. Looking up and seeing all the brave men of Out Loud singing beautiful songs and providing a wonderful evening of entertainment is life changing, not just for the chorus, but for all who attend.

Thank you to all our friends, family members, and community supporters who have shared in Out Loud’s success.

Leadership

Out Loud: The Colorado Springs Men’s Chorus is a program of Rocky Mountain Arts Association.  Day-to-day membership and program related issues are managed by the Chorus Council of the chorus.

Out Loud: The Colorado Springs Men’s Chorus – Chorus Council

Guy McPherson, Chorus President
Jerome Carter, Chorus Vice-President
Keith Carter
Jeff Mueller
Will Adams, Ex-Officio
Mark Zwilling, Ex-Officio

Artistic Staff

Mark Zwilling, Artistic Director
Rick Miller, Principal Accompanist

Rocky Mountain Arts Association – Board of Directors

Guy McPherson, Interim Chairman
Kevin Whatley, Treasurer
Jay Kline, Secretary
Cory Barrett
Dale Britt
Peter DiLeo
Dave Kincade
Kareen McCollough
Greg Montoya
Will Adams, Ex-Officio