PGMC names Mary McCarty as Associate Conductor
Portland – The Portland Gay Men’s Chorus (PGMC) has named Mary McCarty as its Associate Conductor.
McCarty, who has been with PGMC for more than 20 years, recently served as Interim Artistic Director for the holiday concert, The Most Wonderful Season. She has been an active member and leader with PGMC for nearly two decades and also serves as the Artistic Director of the Portland Lesbian Choir.
McCarty holds a Bachelor of Music from SUNY Potsdam and taught in the public-school system for several years before transitioning to a career in IT. She has performed in multiple ensembles both in New York and Portland. From 1998 – 2001, McCarty conducted the Chrysalis Children’s Choirs, part of the Concord Community of Choirs under the artistic direction of former PGMC conductor, David York. McCarty has frequently played flute with PGMC since 2000 and began directing Cascade, PGMC’s acapella subgroup, in 2006.
“I am honored to be associated with PGMC for 20 years and thrilled to take on the new role of Associate Conductor under our new Artistic Director.” McCarty said. McCarty will be conducting several pieces in the upcoming concert, Reflections, a 40th anniversary retrospective working backwards through some of PGMC’s biggest musical moments. McCarty will take up the baton on a very special piece titled Everything Possible by Fred Small. McCarty also leads Cascade on several stand out pieces for the concert as well.
The addition of an Associate Conductor marks a significant time of transformation for the fourth oldest gay-identified chorus in the country. PGMC welcomed its new Artistic Director, John Atorino in January of 2020. Atorino assumes the baton from longtime artistic director, Bob Mensel who directed the chorus for more than 26 years. McCarty’s role as Associate Conductor speaks to the growth and trajectory of the chorus.
“It’s an amazing time for PGMC” said Rick Jung, PGMC’s Executive Director. “We’re celebrating our history and legacy of the past 40 years while looking to the future. Mary is such an important part of our history, we’re absolutely thrilled to name her as Associate Conductor and to keep working with her,” Jung continued.
Reflections will be on Saturday, March 21 at 8:00 pm and Sunday, March 22 at 3:00 pm in Kaul Auditorium at Reed College. Tickets are available online at www.pdxgmc.org or by calling the box office at 503-226-2588.
