Heart of America Men's Chorus

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The [1]Heart of America Men’s Chorus(HOAMC) is a chorus located in Wichita, Kansas. In 2002 five men met to form a men’s choral organization at Unity Christian Church. Their goal was to perform for the joy of singing and to demonstrate a strong commitment to community involvement by contributing to other charitable organizations in Wichita. From that meeting an organizational structure began to take shape, as well as the planning of the first concert to be held during the Christmas season. The first rehearsals began with sixteen men. With a successful first season and membership growth to thirty-two, weekly rehearsals were moved to Plymouth Congregational Church. Performances are currently held at the historic [2]Wichita Orpheum theater. [3]

Contents

[edit] Performance Highlights

[edit] Season 1

  • HOAMC presented its first concert, with eighteen men singing, on Monday, December 9, 2002, to a sold out house of 180 at [4]Cabaret Old Town.
  • March 16th, 2006 nineteen men performed “A Broadway Hit Review”
  • June 2006 twenty-six men performed “Sings Americana,” a tribute to America

[edit] Season 2

  • Performed the Holiday show, “Another Christmas” on November 30th, 2003
  • Membership grew to 30 members
  • Performed at the Wichita Art Museum for World AIDS Day services on December 1st, 2003
  • Performed during the final festivities of Positive Direction’s Dining for Friends in February of 2004
  • Presented “Retro and Beyond” February 29th, 2004
  • Approved for 501(c) (3) status on May 12th, 2004

[edit] Season 3

  • Introduced “Notes to Remember,” an annual fundraising event held at Cibola restaurant
  • Formed ensemble, called Eight of Hearts
  • First sell out house at Mary Jane Teall Theater during the Christmas production
  • Performed That’s Entertainment for the spring show
  • The HOAMC performance of Goes Gospel included almost 50 female voices that were invited to join the Chorus for a handful of numbers
  • Launched CD from that show which contains all eighteen songs, including solos
  • Implemented first season ticket subscription program

[edit] Season 4

  • Developed a partnership with the Wichita Community Children's Choir
  • Witnessed season subscribers grow to 130
  • Ms. Jennifer King was the featured soloist for “That’s Music,” which featured stirring melodies and included oboe, cello, and harp
  • Performed at [5]Race for the Cure through the local Wichita, Kansas chapter

[edit] Season 5

[edit] Season 6

  • Began on December 1, 2007 with the holiday concert “Yuletide Jazz,” with featured guest, vocalist Ms. Lisa Blake and guest emcee Sierra Scott
  • April 5-6, 2008 marked the second concert, a combined effort with the Heartland Men’s Chorus of Kansas City
  • The sixth season concluded with “Feelin’ Groovy,” featuring music from television, commercials, movies and hit songs of the 1960’s


[edit] Leadership

  • Howard Webb – Artistic Director
  • Mark Walker – Assistant Artistic Director
  • David Cason - Accompanist


[edit] Board of Directors

  • Ken Hankins, Ph.D. – Chairman
  • Gene Seymour – Vice Chairman
  • David Burks – Treasurer
  • Gretchen Bixler – Interim Secretary
  • Jimmy Fulton – Member at Large
  • Jeff Leritz – Member at Large
  • RL Wheeler – Member at Large
  • Bradley Robertson – Chorus President
  • Jeff Mosch – Business Manager


[edit] Community Outreach

  • [7]The Dr. Donna Sweet Emergency Fund – a program for HIV patients who need assistance with transportation costs, overnight lodging when seeking treatment in Wichita, eye care and emergency dental services
  • [8]Positive Directions - service organization for the HIV and AIDS community in Wichita and South-Central Kansas
  • [9]GraceMed, a local not-for-profit providing health and dental care to the under-served in the Wichita area
  • Wichita Community Children’s Choir – choir comprised of 95 students from 45 public, private and parochial schools in Sedgwick County
  • Heart of America Men’s Chorus Memorial Scholarship Fund – scholarship which makes it possible for any individual to join HOAMC regardless of their financial situation
  • [10]Ryan White Foundation - creates a framework for funding to address specific components or aspects of the HIV/AIDS epidemic
  • Kansas Foodbank Warehouse - provides comprehensive and compassionate HungerCare whenever and wherever it is needed to safeguard the health, well-being and productivity of food-insecure Kansas families and their children, as well as senior citizens, the homeless and the chronically ill and impoverished among us
  • [11]Greensburg, KS Fine Arts Department – proceeds of the “Back to Broadway” concert went to the Fine Arts Department of the Greensburg, KS school district to help rebuild the music programs after a tornado leveled the town in May, 2007


[edit] Membership

HOAMC is a not-for-profit community organization open to singing and non-singing members. Members should have enthusiasm, dedication, willingness to invest the time and effort necessary to produce the high quality performances Heart of America Men’s Chorus is known for. All members should have a strong commitment toward community involvement by contributing to other charitable organizations, and the desire to have a good time.

[edit] References

  1. ^ Heart of America Men's Chorus
  2. ^ Wichita Orpheum theater
  3. ^ Insert footnote text here
  4. ^ Cabaret Old Town
  5. ^ Race for the Cure
  6. ^ Alzheimer's Association of the Great Plains
  7. ^ Dr. Donna Sweet Emergency Fund
  8. ^ Positive Direction
  9. ^ Grace Med
  10. ^ Ryan White Foundation
  11. ^ Greensburg, Kansas