Boston, August 1, 2022 — The Board of Directors of the Boston Gay Men’s Chorus (BGMC) announces today that the organization’s long-time executive director, Craig Coogan, is leaving the organization on August 31, 2022. Coogan has accepted a leadership position with Seattle Choruses, which comprises the Seattle Women’s Chorus and the Seattle Men’s Chorus, the largest community choral organization in North America. BGMC’s Board of Directors is expected to name an interim executive director at its August meeting and will immediately launch a nationwide search for a permanent executive director.
“I’m grateful to BGMC for 10 wonderful years and proud to have led the work that has furthered the Boston Gay Men’s Chorus’s reputation for artistic excellence and creative innovation as we fulfilled our mission to provide musical experiences to inspire change, build community, and celebrate difference across the Commonwealth and beyond,” said Coogan. “While the decision to leave was difficult, I do so knowing the organization is well-positioned to continue fulfilling its mission for many years to come.”
“BGMC would not be the strong organization it is today without Craig’s leadership over this past decade,” said BGMC Board President Al O’Connell. “We are grateful for his fiscal stewardship, his unwavering support for and commitment to BGMC’s artistic excellence, and his remarkable success in growing the BGMC and its reputation. While we are sad to see Craig go, we so appreciate that we’ll be able to build on these achievements for years to come.”
“Craig built an infrastructure to support BGMC’s artistic excellence,” said BGMC Music Director Reuben M. Reynolds III. “It has been an absolute pleasure to collaborate with Craig over the past decade. I’m grateful for our work together, especially our tours of the Middle East and South Africa and our historic collaboration with Disney for this past June’s Disney PRIDE in Concert. I am disappointed to see him go, but excited to see what’s next for all of us.”
Coogan was named BGMC’s executive director in 2012. Under Coogan’s leadership, the organization expanded its donor base, increased ticket sales annually, expanded the singing membership from 175 members to 320, and grew individual, government, and foundation giving. Coogan launched BGMC’s YouTube presence which has nearly 500 videos that have been seen 11 million times. BGMC’s music is now available on iTunes and Spotify and has over 300,000 downloads. When BGMC went on a two-year hiatus from public performances due to COVID-19, Coogan led BGMC in pivoting to digital content, producing more than 100 performance-related pieces of content, including three unique, highly rated television specials on ABC affiliate WCVB Channel 5.
About the Boston Gay Men’s Chorus
The Boston Gay Men’s Chorus is one of New England’s largest and most successful community-based choruses. Founded in 1982, the 200+-voice ensemble is celebrated for its outstanding musicianship, creative programming, groundbreaking community outreach and an innovative educational program. Under the dynamic leadership of Music Director Reuben M. Reynolds III, the BGMC sings a wide spectrum of classical and popular music and creates social change by providing a positive, affirming image of the LGBTQ+ community. The Chorus is heard live by thousands of people each season and millions more through recording, television and internet broadcasts. CBS-WBZ named the Boston Gay Men’s Chorus one of the “top 5” choruses in the city of Boston. The Boston Business Journal has named BGMC one of the top 10 performing arts organizations in the city each year since 2018. BGMC is a Cultural Ambassador — being the first LGBTQ+ chorus to perform in Poland in 2005, the Middle East in 2015 and in South Africa in June 2018.