Triad Pride Performing Arts History

In late 1998, three men from Greensboro (Anthony Moore, Chip Alfred and Alexis Kiger), who had been driving to the Triangle area every week to sing with the nearest gay men’s chorus, decided to take a chance. Hoping that there would be enough interest in and support for a gay men’s chorus in the Triad, they originally advertised for singers as the Greensboro Gay Men’s Chorus. Over 20 men showed up in January 1999 from Greensboro, Winston-Salem, High Point, and surrounding communities—all eager to unite in pride and song. Due to this widespread response, the name was changed to the Triad Pride Men’s Chorus (TPMC) and their first concert was held in June 1999 when Greensboro hosted NC Pride.

In Fall of 2016, the board of TPMC decided to expand outreach by establishing a sister chorus. The Triad Pride Women’s Chorus (TPWC) held their first rehearsal in January 2017 with 21 members and performed their first concert in June of that year. TPMC officially changed the name of their non-profit to Triad Pride Performing Arts on July 1, 2017 to support future growth.

Triad Pride Performing Arts (TPPA) consists of LGBTQ+ persons and their allies, who perform to entertain, enlighten, and enrich while promoting equality and social justice for all people regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity–fostering pride, understanding, and acceptance.  The choruses of TPPA are also active members of the Gay and Lesbian Association of Choruses (“GALA Choruses”), which is an international association of LGBTQ+ choruses founded in 1982.

TPPA continues to grow organizationally, thus enabling us to expand our mission.  Since the founding of TPMC until December 2018, 136 members have performed with TPMC and 47 members have performed with TPWC. TPPA’s newest addition, the Triad Pride Acting Company, joined July 1, 2018 and will be highlighting the works of LGBTQ artists through theater and music.

TPPA is thankful for the generous support from various entities over the years which include, but are not limited to, the Guilford Green Foundation, for the original grant to start TPMC.  We will also be eternally grateful to the city of Greensboro, who proudly supports our organization by providing in-kind office space and programming infrastructure located at the Greensboro Cultural Center.

The city of Greensboro proudly supports our organization by providing in-kind office space and programming infrastructure located at the Greensboro Cultural Center.

Timeline

1998
1998

TPMC Founded

TPMC Founded
In late 1998, three men from Greensboro (Anthony Moore, Chip Alfred and Alexis Kiger), who had been driving to the Triangle area every week to sing with the nearest gay men’s chorus, decided to take a chance. Hoping that there would be enough interest in and support for a gay..Read More
1999
1999

First Concert – A Celebration of Pride

First Concert – A Celebration of Pride
2000
2000

Spring Concert – Summer Solstice

Spring Concert – Summer Solstice
2000

Winter Concert – Holiday Tapestry

Winter Concert – Holiday Tapestry
2001
2001

TPMC produces first CD

TPMC produces first CD
2001

Winter Concert – A Season to Remember

Winter Concert – A Season to Remember
2002
2002

Spring Concert – Brothers Sing On

Spring Concert – Brothers Sing On
2002

Winter Concert – Home for the Holidays

Winter Concert – Home for the Holidays
2003
2003

Spring Concert – The Beat Goes On

Spring Concert – The Beat Goes On
2003

Winter Concert – Make the Yuletide Gay

Winter Concert – Make the Yuletide Gay
2004
2004

Spring Concert – Free to Love

Spring Concert – Free to Love
2004

GALA Festival Montreal

GALA Festival Montreal
TPMC attends its first GALA Chorus Festival 163 choruses and ensembles performing, 4750 delegates. First festival outside of the US.
2005
2005

Spring Concert – Turn the Beat Around

Spring Concert – Turn the Beat Around
2005

TPMC produces holiday CD

TPMC produces holiday CD
2005

Winter Concert – There’s Something About Merry

Winter Concert – There’s Something About Merry
2008
2008

GALA Festival Miami

GALA Festival Miami
107 choruses and 27 ensembles performing, 4700 delegates. The Festival expanded to eight days
2012
2012

GALA Festival Denver

GALA Festival Denver
112 choruses and 48 ensembles performing, over 6,000 delegates – a new record! Evening BlockBuster and morning Coffee Concerts were introduced. The Festival was shortened to 4.5 days and held in three halls. Commission: Composers wrote rounds and chants for sing-alongs before each concert block.
2016
2016

GALA Festival Denver

GALA Festival Denver
171 choruses and ensembles performed with over 6,600 delegates participating – another new record! Over 800 tickets were sold in the local Denver community. First ever live broadcast of major portions of the festival with over 21,000 total views. Commissions funded by GALA included works by Nathan Hall, Kala Pierson,..Read More
2016

Triad Pride Women’s Chorus Founded

Triad Pride Women’s Chorus Founded
In the Fall of 2016, the board of TPMC decided to expand outreach by establishing a sister chorus. The Triad Pride Women’s Chorus (TPWC) held their first rehearsal in January 2017 with 21 members and performed its first concert in June of that year.
2017
2017

501c3 New Name

501c3 New Name
TPMC officially changed the name of the non-profit to Triad Pride Performing Arts on July 1, 2017, to support future growth.
2018
2018

TPPA becomes GALA Best Practice Certified

TPPA becomes GALA Best Practice Certified
2018

Acting Company founded

Acting Company founded
TPPA’s newest addition, the Triad Pride Acting Company, joined July 1, 2018, and performs productions written or composed by or about members of the LGBTQ+ community, and participation is open to everyone!
2019
2019

20th Anniversary Season

20th Anniversary Season