HMCKC Time Capsule – Gala Festival 2016

Meet New HMCKC Board Member: Chris Madden

Two new board members joined the HMCKC Board of Directors during Season 38. One of them is Chris Madden, who is no stranger to music. He is the Assistant Professor of Piano Pedagogy and Director of Undergraduate Studies at the UMKC Conservatory.

Chris is thrilled to join the board. He says, “Their mission to “build community, celebrate pride, and empower authenticity” is evident not only in the high artistic level of their performances but also in the many ways in which they serve the Kansas City community.  These include sponsorship of a scholarship at the UMKC Conservatory as well as their Schools with Heart program, both of which demonstrate the chorus’s commitment to LGBTQ+ youth in the Kansas City metro.  As a member of the Kansas City arts community myself, I look forward to supporting the organization in whatever way I can during my time on the board.”

Chris started his three-year board term in July of 2023.

Don’t Overpay For HMCKC Show Tickets

At the Heartland Men’s Chorus, we want to keep our ticket prices as affordable as possible to ensure everyone has the chance to experience our performances. Tickets for most of our Season 37 performances range from $25 to $50.

Recently, we had people ask us why are tickets have gone up hundreds of dollars. They haven’t! This is your reminder DO NOT simply just search in your browser for “Heartland Men’s Chorus tickets” to purchase tickets! Several ticket companies could look like they’re connected to HMCKC, but they are not. They will charge you more and buy tickets directly from our website.

It’s easy to purchase tickets and pay regular prices. ONLY buy from www.hmckc.org.

If you have any questions, please email us at hmc@hmckc.org or call (816)931-3338.

Audition to Sing HMCKC’s Disney Pride

Attention all singers! Are you ready to join the Heartland Men’s Chorus Kansas City and be part of an unforgettable musical celebration? If so, we invite you to audition for our upcoming Disney PRIDE in Concert, taking place on June 17th and 18th at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts in Kansas City. This […]

HMCKC Welcomes New Creative Team Member

The Heartland Men’s Chorus (HMCKC) is excited to announce the addition of choreographer Valerie Martin to its creative team. Martin will be joining the HMCKC family for her first production, “HMCKC presents AFTER ALL: 60 YEARS OF CHER!”

Martin is no stranger to the Kansas City theater scene, having previously choreographed and/or directed for Theater in the Park, The Barn Players Community Theatre, OCTA – Olathe Civic Theatre Association, White Theatre at the JCC, and the Church of the Resurrection. She also has a long history of activism and advocacy and is the resident choreographer for Shawnee Mission West and Blue Valley West high schools, and she also teaches private lessons and coaching.

Martin’s work with Sharp Women, LLC includes choreographing “Overture the Musical,” which won the Best of Fest-Audience Choice Prize at the New York Musical Festival in 2019.

“I am excited and humbled to join the HMCKC family,” said Martin. “Working with the Chorus is a true combination of allyship and art, and I’m thrilled to get to share my joy and love of dance with new collaborators and audiences.”

The Heartland Men’s Chorus is thrilled to have Martin on board and looks forward to her contributions to the upcoming production of “AFTER ALL: 60 YEARS OF CHER!”

For more information about the Heartland Men’s Chorus and upcoming events, please visit www.hmckc.org

Will You Be Our Prom Date?

HMCKC presents Evening of Note: The Prom! U.B.U. All the things you’ve come to love about Dinner of Note have evolved to become more experiential and more engaging. You’ll enjoy a dynamic setting complete with black tie hors d’oeuvres, crafted cocktails, silent and live auctions, and plenty of “recess” – social time to see and be seen. Later in the evening, we will crown our Prom Court, including our Heroes of Note – those individuals and organizations who inspire us all. Finally, we will close the night out on the dance floor.

Join us for this extraordinary Prom event designed to ensure the chorus is able to continue fulfilling its mission to build community, celebrate pride, and empower authenticity in true HMCKC style!

Buy your tickets here: hmckc.org/theprom

Auditions for Heartland Men’s Chorus Season 37 – It’s Magical!

Heartland Men’s Chorus kicks off its 37th season with auditions for new singers. This season starts with our Holiday Concert in December, then in March 60 years of Cher, followed by Disney Pride in June.

New singer auditions will take place on Sunday, August 28th, and Sunday, September 4th from 4:30p-6:30p at First Lutheran Church, 6400 State Line Rd, Mission Hills, KS 66208.

The other way for new singers to join us is at open rehearsals on Tuesday, September 6th, 2022, and Tuesday, September 13th at Grace and Holy Trinity Cathedral from 6:30p-9:30p.

The only requirement to audition is to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination. Masks are not required for auditions. Artistic Leadership will be looking for the following singing skills: matching pitch, ability to sing harmony, aural recall, a basic understanding of rhythm, and the ability to take feedback. Singers will be asked to sing an excerpt of a song that can demonstrate confidence, something prepared or performed in the past, or something as easy as Somewhere Over the Rainbow, Amazing Grace, or any other simple traditional song. You do not need to be able to read music to be a part of HMCKC – only the intrinsic motivation to continue to build on the basic required skills as a singer/musician.

Learn more about joining the chorus: https://hmckc.org/join-the-chorus/

HMCKC Become Leading Men of Broadway

Here is your next chance to see members of the chorus on stage before our next concert!

The Heartland Men’s Chorus joins your Kansas City Symphony for BROADWAY’S LEADING MEN – the music of Andrew Lloyd Webber, Stephen Sondheim, Rodgers and Hammerstein, and more. Jack Everly conducts, September 23-25 at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts.

Jack Everlyguest conductor
Heartland Men’s Chorus, Shawn Cullenartistic director/conductor
Ben Crawford, guest vocalist 
Jim Hogan, guest vocalist 
Jacob Dickey, guest vocalist 
Shereen Pimentel, guest vocalist 

Friday, September 23, 2022 8:00 PM  Sunday, September 25, 2022 2:00 PM

More info and tickets at https://tickets.kcsymphony.org/broadwaysleadingmen

 

Heartland Men’s Chorus Announces New Executive Director

HMCKC announces the promotion of HMCKC Development Director, Dudley Hogue to Executive Director after the retirement of Rick Fisher on June 30, 2022. 

Dudley has served the Heartland Mens Chorus Kansas City in a variety of roles, on and off stage. He has been a performer, Board Chair, Production Manager, Choreographer, and event chair all prior to becoming the Development Director in 2019.

“I am incredibly excited to become the Executive Director of the Heartland Men’s Chorus Kansas City,” Hogue says. “It is important to me to continue the legacy of the Chorus and improve community building while increasing support for this fine organization.” 

In his former life, Dudley was the Executive Director of the New York City Gay Mens Chorus, Executive Director of the Kansas City Womens Chorus, Board member for GALA Choruses, as well as Advancement Director and Interim Executive Director for GALA Choruses, during which he helped plan GALA Festivals. Dudley has been seen on the stages of many community theater productions throughout the Kansas City region and has been on several not-for-profit boards across the country. Dudley is passionate about LGBTQIA causes, and what the performing arts can do to move us all closer to equality. 

Heartland Men’s Chorus Hires First Business Manager

After 36 seasons, HMCKC is growing and expanding with the hiring of Vince Pugh in the newly created position of Business Manager. Vince started July 1st in the new role and he will manage the day-to-day operations of the organization, including accounting functions, and ticket sales.  He will also assist in event planning and donor relations. 

Vince Pugh brings years of organizational and project management experience with a passion for the performance arts. Most recently, Vince worked at the Mid-America LGBT Chamber of Commerce where he led all marketing, events, and programming. Vince understands the importance of community and what’s required to help foster an organization built on creativity.

Vince has a diverse background in event planning, musical theatre, and interdepartmental management. His experience married with his love for people has him eager for this new chapter.

In his free time, he enjoys running marathons, performing, and spending time with his husband, David and their two fur babies, Stevie and Birdie.