Donate
The Hampton Roads Men's Chorus, like nearly all arts organizations, relies on its patrons for its existence. Concert ticket sales amount to a very small percentage of our revenue and our expenses are large. On this page, we offer you the opportunity to make a financial contribution to the chorus in whatever amount you choose and to choose for which program or purpose you are donating. Every donation is much appreciated by the Board of Directors and each member of the chorus!
The Valentine-Chappell Fund
As the gay men’s chorus movement continues to grow, many choruses are faced with the problem of finding appropriate music to perform that reflects the life and love of gay men. The HRMC has chosen to remedy this problem by establishing the Valentine-Chappell Fund to commission new works for men’s choruses.
The fund was originally established in 2001 to honor Michael D. Valentine, former chorus member and Board President. Michael was a charter member of the HRMC and was quite active in the arts community performing in off-Broadway shows and AIDS benefits. He also founded The Beyond Prime Time Players.
The HRMC used the Valentine Fund to commission Thus Was My
Love which the Chorus premiered on June 12, 2004 and performed at the GALA International Festival VII in Montreal in July 2004.
Michael shared his life for 19 years with Milton Chappell who served as the Chorus’ accompanist for eleven years. Those who knew them as a couple saw them as soul mates. They added to each other in a way that made both of them better men.
Following Milton’s death in August 2007, the Board of Directors unanimously approved renaming the Valentine Fund the Valentine-Chappell Fund to honor these two remarkable individuals who each impacted the chorus in so many positive ways.
It is only fitting that the first commission of the Valentine-Chappell Fund was entitled “Vows”. The work, composed by Scott Henderson, focuses on the sanctity of the relationships of same-sex couples and on the issue of gay marriage. “Vows” had its premier performance on May 24, 2007 in Norfolk and was performed by the HRMC at the Eighth International GALA Festival in Miami in July 2008.
Make Your Tax-Deductible Donation To The Fund Today!
Every donation, regardless of the amount, helps and is appreciated!
The General Fund
Donations to this fund are used for everyday operating expenses: payroll, rehearsal hall rent, venue rentals, etc.
The Travel Fund
As you can imagine, it's not inexpensive to move a chorus of 25 or more men, particularly not as far as Denver, Colorado which is the next location for the quadrennial GALA Festival. Your donation to this fund is greatly appreciated.