Valentine-Chappell Fund

As the gay men’s chorus movement continues to grow, many choruses face a problem of finding appropriate music to perform that reflects the life and love of gay men.  The HRMC has chosen to remedy this problem by establishing the Valentine-Chappell Fund to commission new works for men’s choruses.

Make your tax deductible donation to the fund today

©Copyright 2008, Stepping Out Productions

Milton G. Chappell
8/18/1955 – 8/12/2007

The fund was originally established in 2001 to honor Michael D. Valentine, former chorus member and Board President.  Michael was charter member of the HRMC and was quite active in the arts community performing in off-Broadway shows and AIDS benefits.  He also founded The Beyond Prime Time Players.

The HRMC used the Valentine Fund to commission Thus Was My Love which the Chorus premiered on June 12, 2004 and performed at the GALA International Festival VII in Montreal in July 2004.

Michael shared his life for 19 years with Milton Chappell who served as the Chorus’ accompanist for eleven years.  Those who knew them as a couple saw them as soul mates.  They added to each other in a way that made both of them better men. 

Following Milton’s death in August 2007, the Board of Directors unanimously approved renaming the Valentine Fund the Valentine-Chappell Fund to honor these two remarkable individuals who each impacted the chorus in so many positive ways. 

It is only fitting that the first commission of the Valentine-Chappell Fund is entitled “Vows”.  The work is being composed by Scott Henderson and will focus on the sanctity of the relationships of same-sex couples and on the issue of gay marriage.  “Vows” will have its premier performance on May 24, 2007 in Norfolk and will be performed by the HRMC at the Eighth International GALA Festival in Miami in July 2008.