Our Mission

The Des Moines Gay Men’s Chorus is dedicated to promoting harmony among all while advancing a positive image of gay people through outstanding musicianship, creative programming and community outreach.

Our History

The Des Moines Gay Men’s Chorus (DMGMC) reorganized in 2001 under the guidance of Dr. Randal A. Buikema, Artistic Director and Conductor from 2001 to 2005.  An earlier chorus, the Des Moines Men’s Chorus, performed in Des Moines from 1985 until it disbanded in 1992.  With seed funding generated from supportive individuals in the community, the new Chorus gave its first performance in May, 2001.Since then, the Chorus has participated in events at the Des Moines Art Center, Jazz in July, Hoyt Sherman Place, Salsbury House, the State Capitol, Wells Fargo Arena and many other venues throughout the city of Des Moines.  The Chorus is especially proud to take part in the annual Capital City Pride and All Iowa AIDS Benefit.  In 2003 the DMGMC was honored to perform at the Inaugural Ceremony of Governor Tom Vilsack.  In 2007 the Chorus was pleased to sing for the Inaugural Ceremony of the Honorable Chet Culver, Governor of Iowa.  In 2003 (with Hillary Clinton as keynote speaker) and in 2006 (with Bill Clinton as keynote speaker), the Chorus was invited to sing the National Anthem at the Jefferson-Jackson Dinner, an event which receives both state-wide and national attention.    In the spring of 2006, the DMGMC hired Rebecca Gruber as their new Artistic Director and Conductor.  Ms. Gruber comes to the Chorus with a broad musical background in both vocal performance and conducting and has been a featured soloist with the Chorus many times.

HarMENy

(Men in Harmony - Iowa ’s premiere gay men’s vocal small ensemble) was created by special committee in late 2008. Its first groundbreaking performance was part of the Des Moines Gay Men’s Chorus How Sweet It Is! dessert concert in March, 2009. HarMENy members come from the Des Moines Gay Men’s Chorus via an audition process. HarMENy members spend extra hours outside regular rehearsal times practicing and memorizing all of their music for performance.

Now joining the ranks of other gay men’s choruses with small ensembles (Captain Smartypants from Seattle and Lollipop Guild from San Francisco, to name a few), HarMENy was built out of a desire for the men to perform throughout the community more frequently at places where the full ensemble may not be able to coordinate performances. HarMENy was also formed out of a desire to perform more popular styles of music including country, jazz, show tunes, and pop music.

At the How Sweet It Is! concerts, HarMENy performed songs by The Beatles, Simon and Garfunkel, Billy Joel and “Cell Block Tango” from the musical Chicago as it has never been imagined before in Des Moines ! The new ensemble was received with thunderous applause and enthusiasm.

HarMENy is on a roll, building up its song repertoire, and coordinating singing events. Wouldn’t you like to have this unique small group perform for you? HarMENy is available for parties, family gatherings, holiday celebrations, Valentine dinners, patio barbeques, corporate functions…basically anywhere that live music is desired to set the mood. As marriage recently became legal for all in Iowa , consider how HarMENy could add a distinctive element to your wedding ceremony and/or reception. Special requests are invited. Prices are negotiable. Book the ensemble today! You’ll be glad you did!