The full chorus performing a holiday number with rainbow colored tutus on their heads.

Sing With Us!

Steel City Men's Chorus is redefining what it means to be in a chorus. It's not just about rehearsals. We bring together people of all backgrounds to build a community of singers. Yes, you'll get to perform to cheering crowds in our main stage shows at least twice a year, but more importantly, you'll find a family who supports and cares for you. The first tenant of our mission is to build community, and that starts with you!

Chorus member James Wilson performing at a show with his arms outstretched.

How Do I Join? What should I expect?

Steel City Men's Chorus is a non-auditioned community chorus. That means we don't audition you; you audition us! Everyone is welcome to join either in a singing or support role. We only require that you be at least 18 years old and singing members must be able to sing a male vocal part.

New members are welcome to visit at any time, but open enrollment to sing in any particular show is usually limited to the first two rehearsals of the show cycle, typically in August and January. These rehearsals are designed to give you an introduction to the chorus and to preview the upcoming show's music. Afterwards, we dive into learning and memorizing our music, which can make it difficult for off-cycle new members to catch up.

If you're unsure about which vocal part is best suited for you, we will ask you to sing some basic scales to determine your placement as a bass, baritone, 2nd tenor or 1st tenor. Our Artistic Director may also have everyone sing individually to determine which voice tones complement each other the best.

Member Support

Education is part of our mission–first to you as a singer, and then to the community at large. Our Artistic Director and production staff will teach you everything you need to succeed in our shows. New members are also assigned a buddy from their section who will guide you through your first rehearsal cycle, answering any questions you may have.

Non-Singing Members

In addition to singing membership, we also offer non-singing membership for those who work behind the scenes. Non-singing members help develop concert sets, keep track of music, do administrative work, work as stagehands, and perform the many tasks that make the organization run smoothly.

Chorus members dancing in cowboy hats to "Texas Hold 'Em" by Beyoncé with a Cowboy Carter projection behind them.

Hmmmm, what about the dancing?

Well, "dancing" might be a bit of an exaggeration. We do "choralography." Our choralographers have a knack for knowing just how much is too much or too little. Sometimes we perform in concert formation; other times we shake our tail feathers. It's all in fun and we work hard to make sure that everyone succeeds and has a positive experience on stage.

Chorus members performing at a show in their full show costumes – silver vests over a black tux shirt with a rainbow tie.

Is there room to grow and do more?

If you're looking for a bigger challenge, we offer two ensembles that take on more difficult or niche music. And if you really want to bust a move, we have opportunities for dance ensembles, as well, that move beyond "choralography" into actual dance. It's all up to you!

Is membership expensive?

What we do isn't cheap. We maintain a professional staff and perform in Birmingham's premier venues. But we try to keep costs as low as possible. Members pay annual dues, currently set at $150, or just $12.50 a month.

Additionally, you will have to purchase your basic show costume, consisting of black tuxedo pants and tuxedo shirt, our signature silver vest, and black shoes and socks. Ties, and sometimes suspenders, are specific to each show, and are provided for you. You will also have the opportunity to purchase a polo shirt and a t-shirt to wear at less formal chorus appearances.

It is possible for concert attire to vary from show to show. This is determined and managed by the Artistic Director and Production Team. Every effort is made to minimize related costuming expenses to the membership.

Scholarships

We want everyone to be able to participate in the chorus. Partial and full scholarships are available for annual dues and a limited number of gently used vests are available to offset costuming costs. We are dedicated to making our choral family accessible to everyone and taking away barriers that would prevent someone from joining us. More information is available at auditions and rehearsals.

Chorus member Kevin Jerrolds playfully pointing to the camera with his tongue sticking out.

Do I need a strong musical background?

Short answer? No. You'll be fine. Our rehearsals are designed to accommodate everyone, regardless of their previous musical or performance histories. Of course, we have singers who've sung all their lives, performed in musical theater, and graced concert stages. But we also have folks whose previous experience was limited to singing in their showers. You'll learn by doing with a little music theory thrown in here and there as needed.

A scene from "Unbreakable," featuring the full chorus and soloists against a projection from the show.

Do you ever commission music?

Yes! In 2018, we partnered with the San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus and other choruses around the country to commission Broadway composer Andrew Lippa (Addams Family, Big Fish) to create Unbreakable, a musical depiction of 100 years of LGBTQ+ history. Then, in 2023, we commissioned Eric Lane Barnes to compose "Our Greatest Fans," which we premiered at our 2024 Spring show and introduced nationally at GALA Festival 2024 in Minneapolis. We've also been blessed to work with several amazing arrangers, including our former Associate Director and Principal Accompanist, Rob Bradley, and our most recent Artistic Director, Elizabeth Fisher, who have created original arrangements specifically for Steel City Men's Chorus.

What's the Time Commitment?

Rehearsals typically run 12-16 weeks ahead of show performance dates. We rehearse most every Sunday during the cycle from 5:30 to 8:00 pm at Pilgrim Church, 2817 6th Ave. South in Birmingham. A 20 minute break is provided for snacks and socializing midway through each rehearsal.

There are usually two all-day Saturday rehearsal retreats prior to each show. These run from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm with a long lunch break. Optional sectional rehearsals are offered monthly for additional practice or to make up for missed regular rehearsals.

Show week is a busy time. There are mandatory tech and dress rehearsals on the nights leading up to performance dates. Most shows are performed twice across two days, and of course, attendance is expected at each show.

Attendance Policy

You'll be most successful at learning the shows and have the best experience when you arrive on time and participate fully in each rehearsal. There is method to our madness. Early rehearsals teach notes and rhythm; choreography is introduced in the middle of the cycle; and magic comes at the end. So, it's important that everyone progress together. If you miss more than 20% of the scheduled rehearsals, you'll need special permission from the Artistic Director to perform.

Chorus member Cliff Beach performing in a specialty costume with other chorus members.

What kind of music do you perform?

You name it! Recent shows have featured everything from Beyoncé to Billy Eilish, to Cyndi Lauper. Of course, we do show tunes. Obviously! But we're not afraid to be amazing and throw in some gorgeous choral pieces that really let us show off our chops. It all depends on the theme of the show and doing whatever it takes to make an impression on the audience. We're here to entertain, but we're also here to make a statement for the LGBTQ+ community. So every show has heartwarming pieces, joyous anthems, hilarious parodies–something for everyone and something to make you think, too.

I wanna hippopotamus for Christmas. Only a hippopotamus will do!