Alex Archambault ’14: The mission statement of the Philadelphia Gay Men’s Chorus (PGMC) states that it “is a community united around the performance of creative and challenging music that entertains, inspires, and affirms with a spirit of friendship and hope.”
As this mission outlines, PGMC attempts to demonstrate passion and talent in a positive and comfortable environment where the chorus can share its love for music with the audience.
On their website, PGMC declares, “We are a vital organization striving to present challenging musical opportunities to our members, audiences and broader communities.”
But as much as the chorus is about music, it is also about creating an enlightening environment to educate the ignorant about the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community.
“We strive to be leaders in the LGBT community and a resource to the wider community. Working alone and in partnership with other organizations that share our values, we seek to break down the barriers of prejudice and ignorance. We are building a better life for ourselves, our peers and society as a whole; we are ensuring a better future for ourselves and those who follow.”
Originating with a few men in 1981, the PGMC has now become a choir of about 135. This chorus is renowned not only in Philadelphia, but also around the nation. The group performs everything from ABBA covers and Broadway favorites to Gospel classics and Christmas hymns.
Each year, the chorus preforms three major concerts: one in the fall, one in the winter, and one in the spring. However, there are optional, smaller concerts preformed for outreach and entertainment around the Philadelphia area.
One such smaller concert will be held on February 25 at the Episcopal Academy. Joseph Buches, Chair of the Music Department and Director of the Upper School Concert Choir, has been the Artistic Director of PGMC since 2004.
“The position opened up in the spring, I applied, I was a finalist, and I got the job!” Buches exclaimed.
He further stated, “When I started with the group we were a group of about 30-35 guys and now we are at 135 guys.”
The choir has sung for Episcopal once before but hasn’t been back for seven years. “After I became Director and gave a speech to Middle and Upper school, the Chorus came to sing at EA. This was around 2006, and it was in the chapel because at the Merion campus, that is where the risers were.”
Although it has taken many years for PGMC to return, Buches assured, “I don’t think anyone really had a problem with us singing at all. In fact EA used to let us use the campus for Saturday rehearsals.”
The Prism Club is particularly looking forward to the concert. Gonzalo del Peon ’13, Co-President of the Prism Club, voiced his enthusiasm, stating, “I’m personally really excited that the PGMC is coming to perform for the Upper School. I think the whole opportunity really reflects how fortunate we are at EA, where we are exposed to both high-caliber talent, and also diversity and inclusion.”
His Prism Club Co-President Clellie Merchant ’14 added, “I am thrilled that such a wonderful group can come to EA and show that LGBTQ people are just as capable of amazing things as heterosexual people. I look forward to the performance and I hope that students will approach it with an open mind and enjoy the talent of PGMC.”

PDF Download