Johnny Nichols, Jr., the artistic director of the Denver Gay Men’s Chorus isn’t your average conductor. He just celebrated his one-year anniversary with the group, and his mission in Denver is clear: build bridges in the Mile High City. Originally aspiring to be a politician, he shifted gears after he realized his true calling was in choral music.
“It was hard for me to grasp pride at the very beginning, because I was ashamed of who I was, initially,” he shared. “But I recognized who I was, and celebrated myself.”
Nichols has lived in more cities than some of us have visited on vacations, from Boston to Washington, D.C.; Houston to New York. He pointed out that while it might lean liberal, Denver still presents unique challenges to the queer community.
“This is not about who is ‘right’ and who is ‘wrong,’” he said, in reference to the political spectrum. Rather, “It’s all about if people are living a prosperous life. Are they happy? Are they flourishing?” he asked.
Since its founding in 1982, the DGMC has evolved significantly with the times, now embracing not only gay men but also non-binary individuals and allies. Its historical context is significant as the chorus was initially formed in response to the HIV/AIDS crisis. Today, the chorus continues to honor its history while adapting to more modern understandings of gender and identity. DGMC welcomes folks of all gender identities. There are even a couple of cisgender heterosexual women that sing in the group.
Looking toward the future, Nichols envisions a global presence for DGMC, starting with a statewide tour in Colorado in 2026, followed by national and eventually international tours. He emphasized the importance of building community through music on a global scale, saying, “If our mission is ‘building community through music’… community is larger, and it’s global.”
Reflecting on his first year as the artistic director, he said, “I’ve had a blast. You know, being the artistic director… Change is tough for me, change is tough for folks in the chorus. But we’ve been able to grow together and bond together in a way that I feel very comfortable and like I’m at home.”
Nichols encouraged listeners to support the DGMC by attending concerts, donating and spreading their message of love and acceptance. If you plan on heading to Denver PrideFest this weekend, they’ll have a booth there with the Denver Women’s Chorus. Stop by and say hello.
“Listening is supporting us. It’s not just money, it’s just being there and carrying our mission outside of those doors.”To learn more about the Denver Gay Men’s Chorus and support their mission, visit Denver Gay Men’s Chorus.
