Rich joined the HMC Board of Directors in July 2020.

HMC has been in my blood since 2003. I joined as a singing member and found the best friends of my life. I was certainly young and had just come out as gay and was certainly in a low place. HMC became my family and I’m so very thankful to be a part of the board and help shape the future of this amazing organization.

What song makes you happy? 

All of the songs from naked man or from the charts “Rise Up” by Andra Day

What are you looking forward to the most after the pandemic? 

Seeing people I haven’t seen in over a year and TRAVEL!!

Heartland Men’s Chorus Announces New Executive Director

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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 Men’s 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 Men’s Chorus, Executive Director of the Kansas City Women’s 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

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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.

HMCKC Becomes Top 2022 AIDS Walk Kansas City Team

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HMCKC Becomes Top 2022 AIDS Walk Kansas City Team

For the past 34 years, Kansas City has come together to raise money to support those men, women, and children affected by HIV and AIDS with AIDSWalkKC and the AIDS Service Foundation. The foundation provides educational and financial resources to four local organizations that directly support the more than 5,700 men, women, and children in Kansas City affected by HIV/AIDS.

Heartland Men’s Chorus kicked off our fundraising campaign to support AIDSWalk Kansas City 2022 at the end of February and set a goal of $15,000. Heartland Men’s Chorus has a long history of support and is one of the many proud sponsors of this iconic event. As members of the organization, we came together and created fundraising pages, participated in raffles to raise money during rehearsals, collected donations after our Spring and Summer concerts, and donated to personal fundraising pages. In addition, on the day of the walk, during the opening ceremonies, we entertained and created event energy by singing three songs from our Spring concert.

We are proud of the efforts of our membership and the support of all those who donated. We raised $14,036 and, although short of our $15,000 goal, ended as the top contributing fundraising team for 2022. We know all these funds stay local and look forward to being an AIDSWalkKC 2023 Partner.