By John Hayden

Sometimes bigger actually is better. That’s what the Gay Men’s Chorus of South Florida (GMCSF) believes is the case after merging with the Fort Lauderdale Gay Men’s Chorus. Bringing together two powerhouse groups doesn’t just happen. Sounds and styles must be folded in, performances adjusted, and inclusiveness maintained.

A lot of that falls on the shoulders of Gabe Salazar, GMCSF’s artistic director. “For me, growth is extremely exciting,” he told OutClique.  “As we grow, the challenges ensure we always hold tight to our core values and mission as a chorus. I always want to ensure we keep the sense of ‘family’ no matter how large we get. We are thrilled to welcome our new members. They bring years of experience and talent with them and will only enhance our organization.”

The merger comes in the middle of the 2022-23 season. GMCSF just finished a pair of triumphant holiday shows, including one featuring Broadway legend Shoshana Bean at Hard Rock Live. As the second half of the season starts, Salazar says fans will find the augmented chorus even better than before. “The season will become more focused and less confusing to the public regarding where the chorus has its concert events, where the public finds correct ticket sales, and which audition to attend.” The upcoming 2023-24 season will be a fully merged project from the start. “We just had our first brainstorming meeting around Season 14. So far, there’s nothing to share, but we look forward to communicating the concept and vision once it’s been developed. There will be an increased level of dedication and musicianship from the membership. As we expand in size, we expect to diversify even more.”