About Us - A History
It is said that all great things have humble origins. SPMC is no exception.
IN THE BEGINNING... SPMC was merely a conviction held in the minds of Mark Ebenhoch, Clayton Hogue, and Daniel Kiermaier that St. Petersburg needed and could / would support a unique chorus comprised of male voices. Each of these people had experienced the joy and satisfaction, and yes, the frustration of working as Officers and Board members with various choral groups in the past, both "across the bay" and across the country in various other states. All were experienced members of GALA and laid claim to having sung internationally at the GALA Montreal 2004 assembly, and at Carnegie Hall under the direction of Dr. Tim Seelig of The Turtle Creek Chorale.
In the Summer of 2006, encouraged by people in the community, they started to recruit members at various karaoke bars in town, through association with other chorus members of past failed choral groups, and through contacts with members of various church groups in town. They had learned hard lessons of the "Choral Business" in the past and were determined not to make similar mistakes this time around. Well, at least their intentions were good.
Male choral singing was not exactly a new concept to this county. At that time, the four choruses in the Tampa Bay area, two female and two male, were unique in that the voices raised were, largely, those of the Gay Community. Enthusiastic singers quickly spread word of the proposed chorus, a long sought alternative to the choruses "across the bay," and serious organization began in July 2006, with Daniel Kiermaier as our first Business Manager (AKA, Chairman of the Board). Mark Ebenhoch became our fearless President, Clayton Hogue the Treasurer, Sue Johansen, a Realtor in the Pinellas area offered to take our minutes. All played double-duty by participating as members of the Board of Directors, and as the chairs of several of the committees. We asked a talented local musician who taught music, to join us on board as Music Director. Mele`, a noted local pianist and choral director of one of the women's groups, became our accompanist. The Metropolitan Community Church at 5th Street North in St. Petersburg offered rehearsal space. (We will truly be indebted to them always.)
After nine months of hard work trying to accumulate a repertoire, SPMC participated in its first 'community concert' and performed at the Palladium to a standing ovation. We were successful in holding several fundraisers for the group with astonishing results and offers of support. Then, as they say, the best laid plans of mice and men...the three founders found it necessary to step away and allow the chorus members an opportunity to, "run the show the way they wanted to run the show." Democracy at its best.
Unfortunately, the chorus imploded and faded away in a couple of months.
It is now 2011. And as the original founding fathers, We're Trying To Come Back! And we're seeking an Artistic Director that shares our vision this time.
To follow with another corny old saying, "To those with patience, good things come." We thought we'd found our good thing in the form of an individual who wanted to be our choral director. This individual was discussing the "why's" and "why not's" with some of our community movers and shakers, and was directed to Mark Ebenhoch, one of the original founders. The two got together and exchanged backgrounds and stories. They got excited. They got silly. They got the other two original founders in on the action and viola`- a chorus was reborn. But, unfortunately, it did not work out.
This time, we had a difference of opinion regarding who controlled the music end, and who controlled the business end. As you can see on the home page of this site, we are once again looking for an artistic director.
Raising funds for our new struggling group has been put on the back burner, and early members will probably be able to fondly tell of, "...those ragtag days of performing anywhere there was money to be made: weddings, Christmas parties, caroling at the Pier..." We are few in number, game if not polished musically, and waiting to see what happens this time around. After an appropriate amount of time has passed without a response from the community, we will fold our tent and hunker down. Should we elect to dissolve the corporation, we will ask Brian Longstreth (as our principle supporter at this time) to direct us to a charity of his choice and transfer all remaining funds to that charity.
We have not forgotten the gracious and generous donations made by certain people in this community our first and second times around. We intend to provide this group of supporters personal invitations to our first couple of concerts 'on the house.' One never forgets their patrons.
