Queer Cleveland

The North Coast Men’s Chorus (NCMC), a nonprofit men’s chorus, was founded in 1988 by Rick Fuller. The North Coast Men’s Chorus’ primary mission is to “affirm the gay experience through music.” The NCMC welcomes “all men, (cisgender and transgender) or non-binary, tenors, baritones, and basses (TTBB) that seek to ‘touch the hearts and change the minds’ of the residents in our region through choral music performance” as members. The NCMC seeks to “provide high quality musical entertainment to diverse audiences, [promote] a positive influence within and beyond the gay community, and [provide] a supportive environment for its members and participants.” The North Coast Men’s Chorus first performed at the the 1988 All-Ohio Lesbian-Gay Conference at Case Western Reserve University. Early on, the North Coast Men’s Chorus provided a venue for gay men to come together to “sing and socialize” outside of the bar scene. In 1989, the NCMC began performing a “mix of classical and popular music” in “local area churches.” Under music director Bob Bellisario, the NCMC began offering offering two concerts annually, “one in December, and one in spring.” The NCMC’s acapella chamber group, The Coastliners, formed in 1991. The Coastliners, well-known for their “tight harmonies and over-the-top comedy routines,” later began to double as the NCMC’s “ambassadors” and “fundraising arm.” Under musical director Tim Robson, the NCMC began to perform a variety of “concept shows” and themed concert productions. Under Robinson, the NCMC expanded to offer three shows per annual concert season – including a “holiday-themed, formal concert in December,” a “Spring concert in March,” and a “Pride-themed concert in June.” The introduction of Rich Cole as the group’s artistic director in 1999 led the chorus to place an even greater emphasis on “staging and showmanship, building a choral concert into an entertainment experience.” Around 2000, the North Coast Men’s Chorus adopted the Waetjen Auditorium at Cleveland State University as its “more permanent home.” The NCMC has since offered local concerts and performances at the The Breen Center and the Hanna Theater. NCMC later began hosting choral rehearsals at the Middleburg Heights Community United Church of Christ (7165 Big Creek Parkway). For over three decades, the North Coast Men’s Chorus has continued to perform at variety of local, regional, and national LGBT+ events, including Cleveland Pride and National Gay and Lesbian Association (GALA) Festival.

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Additional information coming soon.

Resources

• “About Us.” North Coast Men’s Chorus.
• Barnum, George. “Gay Community.” Encyclopedia of Cleveland History.
• Braun, Douglas. “Chorus Has Evolved: Let’s Vote Again.” Gay People’s Chronicle. July 1991. Page 3.
• Brooks, Bart. “Chorus Marks its Tenth Year With A Triple-Bill Concert.” Gay People’s Chronicle. Pride Guide 1998. Page B-23.
• “Chorus Boys.” Gay People’s Chronicle. June 1, 1988. Page 7.
• Dellamanna, John W. “A Look At the Chorus’ History.” Gay People’s Chronicle. September 1, 1995. Page 10.
• Louzos, Steven J. “Men’s Chorus Affirms the Gay Experience Through Music.” Gay People’s Chronicle. Pride Guide 2004. Page A-23.
• “Men’s Chorus Celebrates Pride.” Gay People’s Chronicle. August 1989. Page 9.
• “Men’s Chorus Director Packs His Baton.” Gay People’s Chronicle. August 6, 1993. Page 2.
• NCMChorus. YouTube.
• North Coast Men’s Chorus. Facebook.
• “North Coast Men’s Chorus History.” North Coast Men’s Chorus.
• Schneck, Ken. LGBTQ Cleveland. Charleston: Arcadia Publishing, 2018. Page 19.
• “Who We Are.” North Coast Men’s Chorus.
• Woodard, Jeff. “Cleveland Choruses Prepare for a Summer of Song.” Gay People’s Chronicle. Pride Guide 2000. Page B-15.

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