HONOLULU (KHON2) — In Honolulu, there’s a special group making beautiful music and spreading joy. It’s called the Gay Men’s Chorus of Honolulu, and they’ve been singing their hearts out since 2012.
Led by the President of their Board of Directors, Ralph Whitaker, the chorus is a unique and welcoming community that’s dedicated to sharing love and peace through music.
A place for everyone
Whitaker has a deep love for music and the community it creates.
“Our mission is to spread peace and love and joy through music,” Whitaker said.
The chorus is open to everyone who wants to sing, including transgender and non-binary people.
“We love everybody. We don’t turn anybody away,” Whitaker emphasized.
History and growth
The Gay Men’s Chorus of Honolulu was founded by a group of friends who wanted to entertain and bring music to the community.
Over the years, the chorus has grown and changed, with membership numbers fluctuating.
Whitaker himself has been involved for many years and has held almost every position on the board.
“I’ve been president for the last six years, but it’s time for new members to join the Chorus,” he shared.
Community involvement
The chorus isn’t just about singing. They are active in the community, performing at various events such as celebrations of life, weddings and local festivals.
In 2023, they even received an award from the Honolulu City Council for their contributions to the community.
“The chorus is not just for the LGBTQ community, it’s for the global community,” Whitaker explained. “It’s our responsibility to make you laugh or cry or smile—whatever emotion you need in your life.”
Who can join
The Gay Men’s Chorus of Honolulu is a welcoming and inclusive group. Whitaker shared that they are open to everyone, including transgender and transmasculine individuals.
This openness is important to the chorus, as they believe in the power of music to bring people together.
“Over the past year, we’ve been working on how we can be more inclusive,” Whitaker said. He explained that the chorus welcomes trans men and transmasculine people as long as their voices fit in with the male vocals. “We love everybody; we don’t turn anybody away,” he emphasized.
Whitaker talked about the importance of using the right terminology and being respectful. The chorus had some trans and non-binary members in the past, which helped other members learn and become more understanding.
“Having at least two binary folks who were with us singing last year and the year before helped some of us begin to learn how to use the terminology and to try to be as respectful as possible,” he said. “They were also forgiving when we didn’t get it right.”
He also stressed that the Gay Men’s Chorus is not just for gay men. They want to create a safe and open environment for everyone.
“As long as people don’t mind being in the Gay Men’s Chorus and their voices can fit in with the male vocals, they are welcome to join,” Whitaker explained.
Whitaker encouraged anyone interested to give it a try. He believes that once people experience singing with the chorus, they will want to stay.
“It really brings you joy,” he said. “I want people to understand that this is an open, safe experience regardless of who you are.”
The Chorus is a place where everyone can find joy and community through music. They are committed to being inclusive and respectful, welcoming trans men and transmasculine people with open arms.
There are also many ways women can get involved and support the chorus. Whitaker shared some examples of how women have helped and continue to help the group.
“Our stage manager is a woman, and she is phenomenal,” Whitaker said. “We don’t know what we would do without her.”
The stage manager helps organize performances and ensures everything runs smoothly. This role is crucial, especially when the chorus has a large number of members and is performing at significant venues like the Hawaii Theatre Center.
Women have also supported the chorus in other ways. Whitaker mentioned a woman whose daughter was part of the 2SLGBTQ+ community.
She and her husband supported their daughter by helping the chorus. They filmed shows, helped with costumes, and even organized events like the Pride Parade.
“They both supported their daughter by supporting us,” Whitaker explained.
Even if women are not singing with the chorus, their support is invaluable. There are many tasks and roles that need to be filled, from organizing events to helping with publicity.
“Once we have more things going on, there are a lot of ways people of any gender can participate with us,” Whitaker said.
Whitaker wants everyone to understand that the Gay Men’s Chorus of Honolulu is an open and safe experience for everyone. Whether someone wants to sing or help behind the scenes, their involvement is welcomed and appreciated.
“We need more people to come help us get that loving part of music and entertainment out to the community,” he emphasized.
Women play an essential role in the success of the Gay Men’s Chorus of Honolulu. Whether as stage managers, event organizers or supporters, their contributions are valued and needed.
Whitaker’s message is clear: everyone, regardless of gender or sex, can find a way to be part of this beautiful musical community.
Upcoming events and opportunities
The chorus is always looking for new members. They are planning a workshop soon, where people can come and experience what it’s like to sing with the chorus.
This workshop will lead up to a Christmas concert in December.
“It’s going to be a quick push through and will give people an idea of how they can maybe continue on with the chorus if they decide they like it,” Whitaker said.
If you’re interested in joining or learning more, you can click here. They rehearse every Monday night at the Unity Church of Hawaiʻi, starting on Monday, Sept. 9.
Supporting the chorus
Even if you don’t want to sing, there are many ways to support the chorus.
From helping with stage management to filming performances or assisting with wardrobe, there are plenty of opportunities.
“We had a female stage manager who was phenomenal. We don’t know what we would do without her,” Whitaker said.
Music for everyone
Whitaker’s favorite song to sing with the chorus is “Ka Uluwehi O Ke Kai,” a beautiful Hawaiian song.
He loves how music can bring people together and create harmony.
“Being on stage singing and making something come together like choral music, whether it’s all men’s voices or mixed voices, is really incredible,” he said.
The Gay Men’s Chorus of Honolulu is more than just a group of singers. It’s a family, a community, and a place where everyone can find joy through music.
If you love to sing or want to support a wonderful cause, consider joining or helping out with the Gay Men’s Chorus of Honolulu. As Whitaker said,
“Honolulu needs a chorus like this. It really brings you joy.”
Whitaker also has a dream song he hopes the chorus can perform one day. This song is called “Deep Peace.”
It’s a beautiful and captivating piece of music that requires a lot of voices to do it justice.
Whitaker explained, “There’s a song called ‘Deep Peace,’ and when we had the voices to do it, it’s a song that just the baseline in that song is so captivating that as you sit there and listen to it, it just brings you into the song.”
However, performing “Deep Peace” isn’t easy. The song needs a full range of voices, including tenors, basses and baritones.
“You really can’t do it with only five or six people,” Whitaker said. “It has to be a complement of tenors, basses, and baritones.”
Whitaker hopes that one day the chorus will have enough members to perform “Deep Peace” again and share its beauty with everyone.
How to get involved
If you’re interested in joining the Gay Men’s Chorus of Honolulu, you can attend their upcoming workshop that is taking place on Sept. 9.
This is a great way to get a feel for what it’s like to be part of the chorus. Keep an eye on their website for details about the date, time and location of the workshop.
For those who prefer to support behind the scenes, the chorus always needs help with various tasks.
Whether it’s managing the stage, helping with costumes or filming their performances, your help is welcome.
As Whitaker said, the chorus is a community effort and everyone’s contribution is valuable.
Why music matters
Music has the power to bring people together, to heal, and to inspire. The Gay Men’s Chorus of Honolulu is a testament to this power.
Through their performances, they spread messages of love, acceptance and joy. They show that no matter who you are, there is a place for you in their community.
Whitaker shared a touching story about the impact of music. He recalled a performance where the chorus sang a song that deeply moved the audience.
“It’s really incredible to hear that harmony and to see the impact it has on people,” he said.
Looking to the future
The future looks bright for the Gay Men’s Chorus of Honolulu. With plans for more performances and a growing membership, they are excited about what lies ahead.
Whitaker is hopeful that more people will join and experience the joy of singing together.
“We need more people to come help us get that loving part of music and entertainment out to the community,” he said. “It really brings you joy.”
The Gay Men’s Chorus of Honolulu is a special group that brings together people from all walks of life.
Through music, they spread love and joy, creating a positive impact on the community. If you’re in Honolulu and love to sing, or if you want to support a great cause, consider getting involved with the chorus.
As Whitaker said, “It’s a chorus for the global community, and it’s our responsibility to bring joy and inspiration through music.”
So, whether you’re a seasoned singer or just someone who loves music, the Gay Men’s Chorus of Honolulu welcomes you with open arms. Join them in their mission to spread peace, love, and joy through the power of song.