Chicago Gay Men's Chorus

What Chicago Gay Men's Chorus does

The Chicago Gay Men's Chorus (CGMC) is an Illinois-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit performing arts organization founded in 1983 that produces choral, cabaret, and musical theater performances for the LGBTQ+ community and allies in the Chicago metropolitan area. Its core offering is a season of live main-stage productions at marquee Chicago venues — primarily Harris Theater for Music & Dance and North Shore Center for the Performing Arts — supplemented by cabaret programs (e.g., Lipstick & Lyrics) and signature fundraisers (the annual Wigs & Waffles drag brunch). The organization fields 150-200+ volunteer singing members led by a small paid staff of approximately 5, including Artistic Director Jimmy Morehead (since 2015) and Managing Director Kevin Corbett.

Underlying technology is deliberately lean: the digital product CGMC-TV is an online streaming service built on Vimeo that delivers archived and new quarterly performances via a one-year subscription model. Ticketing, donations, and member operations run through cgmc.org, a Salesforce-powered donation portal, and a Chorus Connection member sign-in platform. The chorus has produced four commercial CD recordings and maintains a portfolio of branded productions across 42+ years of continuous operation.

Revenue is generated through a diversified mix of small-dollar and recurring streams: ticket sales ($25-$50 single tickets, $87-$187 season flex packages with up to 30% savings), group sales (10-20% discounts for 10+ attendees), annual chorus member dues ($275 plus a $25 new-member fee), individual donations via a Salesforce donation portal, CGMC-TV streaming subscriptions (minimum $50), corporate sponsorships (tiered from $500 Best Friend to $10,000 Icon), event booking fees for private/public engagements, and fundraising event ticket/auction revenue. Customer segments include LGBTQ+ community members and allies attending performances, event organizers booking the chorus for private engagements, and corporate sponsors seeking LGBTQ+ community visibility.

Name

Chicago Gay Men's Chorus

Legal name

Chicago Gay Men's Chorus

Website

https://cgmc.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1983

Operating status

Operating

Short description

The Chicago Gay Men's Chorus is a Chicago-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1983 that produces choral, cabaret, and musical theater performances for the LGBTQ+ community and allies, fielding 150-200+ volunteer singers and operating Season 43 across major Chicago venues plus a Vimeo-based CGMC-TV streaming platform.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Performing Arts Services

NAICS

Musical Groups and Artists (711130), Theater Companies and Dinner Theaters (711110), Record Production and Distribution (51225)

akta.pro primary industry

Group Music Classes & Ensembles (Band, Orchestra, Choir) (EDAMANAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Regional & Repertory Theatre Companies (MPAGABAB), Virtual Concerts & Music Festivals (Livestreamed Performances) (MPAGAOAD)

Keywords

• Choral performances
• Musical theater shows
• Community performing arts
• Cabaret entertainment
• Live concert productions

Headquarters

HQ city

Chicago

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Ticket Sales: Revenue from single tickets to performances at major Chicago venues including Harris Theater, North Shore Center, and other locations. Ticket prices range from $25-$50 for regular admission.
2. Season Subscriptions: Annual subscription packages for the full season offering 20-30% discounts on tickets, premium seating, VIP lounge access, and free CGMC-TV subscription.
3. Donations: Tax-deductible donations to support the organization as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, including online donation portal via Salesforce.
4. Sponsorships: Season sponsorship levels ($10,000 Icon to $1,000 Star) and show sponsorships ($2,000 Luminary to $500 Best Friend) for corporate partners seeking LGBTQIA+ community visibility.
5. Member Dues: Annual member dues of $275 plus $25 new membership fee, with financial assistance available.
6. CGMC-TV Subscriptions: One-year subscription to online streaming platform with minimum donation of $50, including three new shows added quarterly.
7. Event Fundraisers: Special event fundraising including Wigs & Waffles drag brunch with ticket sales, sponsorship opportunities, and auction donations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Chicago Gay Men's Chorus is an inclusive, community-based performing arts organization that produces live choral concerts combining traditional choral music with musical theater, jazz, pop, and cabaret. The organization also operates CGMC-TV, a Vimeo-based streaming platform offering subscription access to past and current performances, alongside seasonal fundraisers and event booking services.

Product overview

Chicago Gay Men's Chorus operates as a community-based performing arts organization offering a portfolio of live performance products and digital streaming services. Core offerings include main stage choral concerts combining musical theater, cabaret, and traditional choral performance; CGMC-TV, an online streaming platform on Vimeo with quarterly content updates; and Season Subscriptions providing flex ticket packages with up to 30% savings. The organization also produces signature events including the Wigs & Waffles drag brunch fundraiser and Lipstick & Lyrics cabaret competitions. Supporting offerings include corporate sponsorships, planned giving programs, community event booking services, group sales, and chorus membership with vocal placement requirements. The organization serves the Chicago metropolitan area with performances at major venues including Harris Theater, North Shore Center, and Center on Halsted.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• CGMC-TV: Online streaming platform for CGMC shows, offering one-year subscription access to past performances with three new shows added every three months.

Products and services

• Main Stage Performances Professional-quality choral concerts combining musical theater, cabaret, and traditional choral performance, including seasonal shows such as holiday concerts and spring productions at venues including Harris Theater, North Shore Center, and Northeastern Illinois University Auditorium. Targeted at general audiences, LGBTQ+ community, and allies.
• CGMC-TV Streaming Online streaming platform offering access to past and current chorus performances via Vimeo with a one-year subscription model and new shows added quarterly. Targeted at remote audiences and supporters.
• Season Subscriptions Annual flex ticket packages for the full season providing discounted access to main stage and cabaret shows, with tiers including Premium ($187), 4-Admission Flex ($151), 3-Admission Flex ($121), and 2-Admission Flex ($87), offering up to 30% savings. Targeted at regular concert attendees.
• Wigs & Waffles Drag Brunch Fundraiser Annual drag brunch fundraiser featuring drag performances, brunch buffet, open bar, and silent/live auctions, with ticket pricing from $50 (General Admission) to $700 (8-person VIP table). Targeted at LGBTQ+ community members and allies.
• Lipstick & Lyrics Cabaret Signature drag competition cabaret format featuring chorus members competing in lip-sync and drag performance categories. Targeted at LGBTQ+ community and cabaret audiences.
• Event Booking Services Hire the chorus for public and private events including weddings, memorial services, corporate parties, nonprofit fundraisers, and public concerts, with ensemble sizes ranging from quartet to full 100+ member chorus. Targeted at event organizers, corporations, and individuals.
• Chorus Membership Volunteer singing membership program requiring vocal placement audition, with weekly Sunday rehearsals (5:30-8:30 PM, September through June) at Lakeview Presbyterian Church, annual dues of $275 plus a one-time $25 new membership fee, and a 75% attendance requirement during concert prep periods. Targeted at singers in the Chicago metropolitan area.
• Group Sales Group ticket packages offering 10-20% discounts for groups of 10 or more for main stage performances at Harris Theater and North Shore Center, with tiered pricing based on seating section and group size. Targeted at organizations, tour groups, and large parties.
• Corporate Sponsorship Programs Season and show sponsorship opportunities with multiple tiers: Season levels ($10,000 Icon, $5,000 Visionary, $2,500 Diva, $1,000 Star) and Show levels ($2,000 Luminary, $1,000 Legend, $750 Muse, $500 Best Friend). Targeted at corporate partners seeking LGBTQ+ community visibility.
• Planned Giving Legacy giving options including bequests in wills, beneficiary designations in life insurance/IRA/401k, and information on advanced strategies involving investments and real estate for long-term charitable giving. Targeted at major donors and supporters.

Quantifiable outcome

• 200+ members representing diverse cross-section of Chicago metropolitan area
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered community partner, venue partner, core venue partner, peer chorus partner and technology partner.

• AIDS Foundation of Chicagocommunity partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner organization supporting the Chicago LGBTQ+ community through advocacy and services
• Equality Illinoiscommunity partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner organization working for equal rights for LGBTQ+ individuals in Illinois
• Brave Spacecommunity partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner - LGBTQ+ centered community space in Chicago
• LGBT Chamber of Commerce Illinoiscommunity partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner organization supporting LGBTQ+ business owners and professionals
• Center on Halstedvenue partnerChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorVenue partner for Fall Cabaret performances; LGBTQ+ community center hosting CGMC events
• Life is Workcommunity partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner organization serving LGBTQ+ youth and young adults
• Harris Theater for Music & Dancecore venue partnerChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPrimary venue for main stage performances including Holiday Show and Spring Show, located at 205 E Randolph St, Chicago
• North Shore Center for the Performing Artscore venue partnerChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorKey venue partner for main stage performances in Skokie, hosting holiday and spring shows
• Northeastern Illinois Universityvenue partnerChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorVenue partner for select performances at NEIU Auditorium
• London Gay Men's Choruspeer chorus partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint concert collaboration 'Love Is Great' bringing together two gay men's choruses
• Vimeotechnology partnerTechnology or IntegrationPlatform provider for CGMC-TV streaming service hosting archived performances

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus: Founded 1978, SFGMC is the oldest LGBTQ+ chorus in the United States and operates at significantly larger scale, performing subscription seasons, tours, and recordings. Directly comparable to CGMC in mission, choral format, and community-based nonprofit structure, with a much bigger budget and national profile.
• New York City Gay Men's Chorus: NYCGMC is a New York-based LGBTQ+ men's chorus producing seasonal concerts, cabarets, and community events since 1980. Highly comparable to CGMC in programming mix (choral, cabaret, musical theater), audience (LGBTQ+ and allies), and subscription-based business model.
• Los Angeles Gay Men's Chorus: LAGMC is a long-established LGBTQ+ men's chorus in Los Angeles producing main stage concerts, holiday shows, and tours. Mirrors CGMC's blend of traditional choral and musical theater programming and serves a similarly diverse metropolitan LGBTQ+ community.
• Seattle Men's Chorus: Part of the LGBTQ+ choral network with a strong subscription season and signature holiday shows. Operates as a peer LGBTQ+ men's chorus comparable to CGMC in production format and community orientation, though based in a different region.
• Boston Gay Men's Chorus (formerly GBTC): BGMC is a Boston-based LGBTQ+ men's chorus with a long history of subscription concerts, cabaret events, and community engagement. Directly comparable to CGMC in mission, programming cadence, and donor-supported nonprofit model.
• Portland Gay Men's Chorus: Portland Gay Men's Chorus is a community-based LGBTQ+ men's chorus in the Pacific Northwest producing seasonal concerts and cabaret. Operates at a smaller scale comparable to CGMC and competes for touring, donor, and audience share.
• Twin Cities Gay Men's Chorus: TCGMC is a Minneapolis-St. Paul LGBTQ+ men's chorus producing subscription concerts, holiday shows, and community events. Highly comparable to CGMC in format and mission, operating in another Midwest metro with similar demographic and donor dynamics.
• London Gay Men's Chorus: LGMC is a UK-based LGBTQ+ men's chorus and a current CGMC partner via the 'Love Is Great' collaboration. Highly comparable as a peer men's chorus producing subscription seasons and cabaret-style programming; CGMC's existing partnership signals direct relevance.

Others

• GALA Choruses: GALA Choruses is the international association serving LGBTQ+ choruses and their allies. CGMC participates in the GALA festival network, making this an industry-association peer rather than a direct competitor; useful proxy for understanding network positioning and audience expansion pathways.

Regional players

• Heartland Men's Chorus (Kansas City): Heartland Men's Chorus is a Midwest-based LGBTQ+ men's chorus with seasonal programming and donor-supported nonprofit structure. Comparable to CGMC in mission and operational scale, and a regional rather than national competitor for touring bookings.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ChicagoGMC
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/ChicagoGayMensChorus
• Facebookfacebook.com/ChiGMC
• Instagraminstagram.com/cgmc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Chicago Gay Men's Chorus