Heartland Men's Chorus

Heartland Men's Chorus changes hearts and minds with shows that are musically excellent and socially relevant.

We bring our voices where they may not be welcome, to small towns and cities whose citizens may be struggling with the issue of gay rights and inclusion... or struggling with their own personal issues of coming out to others.

We also perform in downtown Kansas City, often to sold-out audiences, as we have become a vital part of the Midwest's arts and cultural scene.

Over the years HMC has produced musical documentaries that explore the role of gays and lesbians within the military, the church, Hollywood and the civil rights movement. Our acclaimed concert "When I Knew" includes stories of Chorus members and others about the moment they knew they were different from others. Our anti-bullying concert "Oliver Button is a Sissy," based upon the children's book of the same name, has been performed for more than 2,600 elementary school students and that number continues to climb.

An HMC concert is far more than just standing and singing. We make use of narration, choreography, photos, movie clips, costuming and music that creates a full entertainment experience.

The Chorus was founded in 1986 to offer a social and spiritual oasis to a community being devastated by the AIDS crisis. In fact, our first appearance as a group of 30 singers was to perform at a funeral of one of our members. Today, with 150 voices, we now sing at members’ weddings... a sure sign that times are changing for the better.

But there is still much more work to be done which keeps our mission and vision as a gay chorus relevant today. Kids are still being bullied, often with dire circumstances. Marriage is still just a dream for many in states where fairness remains elusive. Execution for being gay, common during the Holocaust, continues today in countries around the world. Our elders in the LGBT community are being forced back into the closet as they seek out living arrangements for their later years.

When you consider the challenges still facing the LGBT community, you realize how our music can truly make a difference in people's lives. Our vision statement is simple yet powerful: Our Voices Enlighten, Inspire, Heal and Empower.

Your donation to Heartland Men's Chorus allows us to advance toward our mission: to provide excellence in performance while advancing men's choral music, building community and reaching out to diverse audiences.