Gay Men’s Chorus of Tampa Bay seeks singers

TAMPA | The Gay Men’s Chorus of Tampa Bay (GMCTB) will hold auditions for new and returning talent Aug. 4 and Aug. 13 ahead of the group’s fall season.

Founded in 2002, the GMCTB — formerly known as Una Voce — exists to celebrate the inherent dignity of all people through excellence in men’s choral music. Singers do not have to be gay or male to sing with the group, they advise, noting that the only requirement is that singing members “are willing and able to sing a male vocal part: tenor, baritone or bass.”

“We are looking for people who enjoy singing, who want to be a part of the community and who want the fellowship of the Gay Men’s Chorus and other singers,” GMCTB President Bill Kanouff says. “We’re looking for people who really enjoy music.”

“The Gay Men’s Chorus of Tampa Bay is way more than a bunch of guys getting together and singing,” the organization’s Vice President Juan Fontanez Jr. adds. “It’s an extended family made up of a diverse group of men ranging in age, background, skillsets and experiences all being brought together with the common interest of making wonderful music and entertaining our community.”

Fontanez notes that he entered the chorus as a “skeptical karaoke singer with absolutely no chorus experience,” something those with an interest in the upcoming auditions may identify with. In the years since, he adds, the group has sang at baseball games for the Tampa Bay Rays, for the “It Gets Better” project’s concert at The Straz Center, at various pride events and even alongside Demi Lovato during the singer’s stop at the Amalie Arena last year.

“These are just some of the great things we get to be a part of, on top of our regular themed shows and intimate cabarets,” Fontanez says. “I would love for us to grow to be a household name that everyone wants to join.”

Kanouff advises that auditions are “quite simplistic,” with potential members asked to prepare a singing piece that includes a verse and a chorus. “They can bring sheet music and our accompanist can play it for them or they can bring a YouTube link for a karaoke-style sing-along,” he says. “We try to make it as easy as possible and also less intimidating… many people are overwhelmed by the word ‘audition.’”

Interested parties can access audition links and sign up for a timeslot via the GMCTB Facebook page. For more information, visit Facebook.com/GMCTampaBay, email info@gmctb.org or call 813-389-6313.

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