Heart of America Men's Chorus

The [Heart of America Men's Chorus] [http://www.hoamc.org/ 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 [http://www.plymouth-church.net/ Plymouth Congregational Church] . Performances are currently held at the historic [Wichita Orpheum theater] [http://www.wichitaorpheum.com/ Wichita Orpheum theater] .

Performance Highlights

Season 1

* HOAMC presented its first concert, with eighteen men singing, on Monday, December 9, 2002, to a sold out house of 180 at [Cabaret Old Town] [http://www.cabaretoldtown.com/ 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

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 [http://www.positivedirectionsks.com/ 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

Season 3

* Introduced “Notes to Remember,” an annual fundraising event held at [http://www.cibolarestaurant.com/ Cibola] restaurant
* Formed ensemble, called Eight of Hearts
* First sell out house at [http://www.century2.org/Attendees/Facilities/Theater.htm 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 [http://www.hoamc.org/newmembership.php season ticket subscription] program

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 [Race for the Cure] Race for the Cure through the local [http://www.wichitaraceforthecure.com/ Wichita, Kansas chapter]

Season 5

*Partnered with [http://www.positivedirectionsks.com/ Positive Directions] and the [http://mpa.kumc.edu/hiv/emergencysweet.html Dr. Donna Sweet Emergency Fund] to kick off a Celebration with “A Most Wonderful Christmas...All That Glitters,” which featured HOAMC and a group of around 40 women who joined for part of the show
*HOAMC season subscribers increased to 270
*Brought back “extrABBAganza”
*The group performed “Back to Broadway” featuring hit songs and sets from four musicals: “ [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South Pacific (musical) South Pacific] ,” “ [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown You’re A Good Man Charlie Brown] ,” “ [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat] ,” and “ [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The Wizard of Oz (1939 film) Wizard of Oz] .” The performance featured soloist Ms. Jennifer Potochnick, who brought the characters of Lucy and Dorothy to life.

Season 6

*Began on December 1, 2007 with the holiday concert “Yuletide Jazz,” with featured guest, vocalist Ms. Lisa Blake and guest emcee [http://www.sierrascott.com/ Sierra Scott]
*April 5-6, 2008 marked the second concert, a combined effort with the [http://www.hmckc.org/ 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

Leadership

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

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

Community Outreach

* [Alzheimer's Association of the Great Plains] [http://www.alzgreatplains.org/about_us/index.html?PHPSESSID=a917809fadf963a97a349ef9d5fd9762 Alzheimer’s Association of the Great Plains] - supports those with Alzheimer's disease and their families and friends through specialized programs and services

* [Dr. Donna Sweet Emergency Fund] [http://mpa.kumc.edu/hiv/emergencysweet.html 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

* [Positive Direction] [http://www.positivedirectionsks.com/ Positive Directions] - service organization for the HIV and AIDS community in Wichita and South-Central Kansas

* [Grace Med] [http://www.gracemed.org/ 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 composed of 95 students from 45 public, private and parochial schools in [http://www.sedgwickcounty.org/ 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

* [Ryan White Foundation] [http://www.ryanwhite.com/ Ryan White Foundation] - creates a framework for funding to address specific components or aspects of the HIV/AIDS epidemic

* [http://www.kansasfoodbank.org/ 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

* [http://www.wch.org/ Wichita Children’s Home] - offers emergency, temporary residential center for children in Sedgwick County

* [Greensburg, Kansas] [http://www.usd422.com 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

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.

References