San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus’ Final Words, The Farewell Concert for Dr. Timothy Seelig – San Francisco Bay Times – San Francisco Bay Times
Final Words, the farewell concert for Dr. Timothy Seelig in recognition of his 11.5 years of remarkable work as Artistic Director of the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus (SFGMC), was held on Wednesday, July 13, at Davies Symphony Hall. The historic event, in addition to honoring Seelig, marked the first time that the Chorus performed at Davies with the San Francisco Symphony.
The concert, which additionally celebrated the fifth anniversary of SFGMC’s Lavender Pen Tour, included a set by the Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir and its own renowned Director, Terrance Kelly. (The Choir traveled with the Chorus during that groundbreaking 2017 tour that was documented in the film Gay Chorus Deep South.) Singer JaCoree Prothro, who recently performed at the Divas & Drinks @ The Academy SF Pride’s President’s Party for Carolyn Wysinger, was one of the Choir’s standout soloists at Davies. Other guests included the San Francisco Bay Area Theater Company Dancers and an introduction to Seelig’s successor, Jacob Stensberg.
During the concert, Mayor London Breed declared July 13, 2022, to be Dr. Timothy Seelig Day in San Francisco, and Seelig was named Conductor Laureate of the Chorus.
Works presented included selections from Unbreakable and I Am Harvey Milk by Andrew Lippa, A Chorus Line, The Lion King, Tyler’s Suite, and much more. A drag artist—”Patsy Cline” on her “back to Earth tour”—brought humor to the event with a dress from which she pulled out countless items, including full-sized gardening tools such as a sharp-pronged metal rake.
Following the concert, a VIP reception was held at the War Memorial Performing Arts Center’s Green Room where Seelig received from the San Francisco Bay Times a framed print of commemorative pages celebrating his achievements highlighted in the newspaper’s SF Pride June 23, 2022, edition. Although Seelig is now retired from the Chorus, his column will continue to run in the Bay Times.
Published on July 28, 2022