For seventeen years, the Seattle Men's Chorus has been entertaining audiences in Seattle, across Washington State and in some of the most prestigious concert halls of North America. The 160-voice gay men's chorus has been honored to work with many talented artists of our time including Dr. Maya Angelou, the Mark Morris Dance Group, Bobby McFerrin, Natalie Cole and the four distinguished guests on this recording.

Under the leadership of Artistic Director Dennis Coleman, the Chorus has been instrumental in commissioning new music from composers such as John Corigliano, Gian Carlo Menotti, Alice Parker, Robert Moran and David Diamond. The Chorus' programs of popular music celebrating the music of Rodgers and Hart, Cole Porter and the greatest hits of the 1960s have been produced by numerous other gay men's choruses in the United States. SMC enjoys the largest choral audiences in the Pacific Northwest and is a leader in programs designed to provide free tickets to gay and lesbian youth, young people at risk and persons affected by HIV. The 160 singers and 40 non-singing chorus members volunteer thousands of hours each year in their commitment to building bridges of understanding between gays and lesbians, their families & friends, and the greater community. With two PBS specials, Radio Craze and Swellegant Elegance: The Music of Cole Porter, nearly three million people across North America have been given a glimpse into the talent, creativity, pride and joy that are the hallmarks of the Seattle Men's Chorus.

With this recording, the "Pink Album", we offer our renditions of some of the songs that have been important to the lesbian & gay choral movement in the past two decades. Joining us are four of our favorite guests: Harvey Fierstein, Holly Near, Ann Hampton Callaway and Diane Schuur. Ladies Don't Drum, a Seattle-based percussion ensemble that has collaborated with the Chorus on numerous occasions adds rhythmic fervor on several cuts.

Three-time Tony winner Harvey Fierstein was featured in SMC's PBS special Swellegant Elegance: the Music of Cole Porter. Recorded in 1993, this popular feature continues to air nationally, particularly during June's pride celebrations. Harvey, who wrote and starred in Torch Song Trilogy and wrote the book for La Cage aux Folles, is a gay icon for the nineties. He was unapologetically out before out was in, and has earned the respect and admiration of a generation of gays and lesbians for his honesty and integrity. It was perhaps inevitable that SMC's Emerald City Volunteers would record the gay pride anthem I Am What I Am from La Cage aux Folles, Fierstein's acclaimed Broadway collaboration with Jerry Herman.

Holly Near has been in the forefront of the lesbian and gay music movement for over twenty years, influencing countless listeners and other performers alike. In March 1996, Holly teamed up with the Seattle Men's Chorus for a concert called Hand in Hand: Songs From Our Lives from which most of this recording was drawn. As a believer in community-based activism, Holly has sung with many other GALA Choruses and continues to add her voice and influence to our movement. Holly wrote Our Love Is Soaring Across The Land for the 1994 Stonewall Celebration and first performed it with the New York City Gay Men's Chorus, Gary Miller conducting. Holly's friendship with the late Michael Callen adding special meaning to her vocals on his song Love Don't Need a Reason. The Great Peace March is one of her most-loved compositions and has held a cherished sport in the Seattle Men's Chorus repertoire for over ten years.

Ann Hampton Callaway has won the hearts of SMC audiences since appearing in the 1995 Rodgers and Hart salute, With a Song In Our Heart. Her voice has been described by the New York Times as "in the same league with Barbra Streisand's." Ann brought the music of actor, songwriter and singer Portia Nelson to the attention of conductor Dennis Coleman and sings Nelson's beautiful ballad Let Me Be the Music with the Chorus for this recording.

Seattle's own Diane Schuur, 'Deedles' to her many fans, has appeared six times with the Seattle Men's Chorus and made a special cameo appearance singing Love For Sale with Harvey Fierstein in Swellegant Elegance. The two-time Grammy award winning singer has enjoyed her work with the Chorus to such a degree that she asked Philandros, SMC's close harmony ensemble, to provide music for her 1996 wedding. Over the Rainbow, SMC's signature song, is given a warm and personal reading by Ms. Schuur and the men of the Chorus.

We hope that the music of this recording will touch your life as it has touched ours. We encourage you to share it with all your families.