BOSTON, June 6, 2023 — The Board of Directors of the Boston Gay Men’s Chorus (BGMC) announces today that Sarah Shoffner has been named its new Executive Director. Shoffner, who has been serving as BGMC’s Interim Executive Director since last August, will begin in the new role immediately.
Shoffner has over 10 years of arts nonprofit management experience with a track record of creating and implementing development plans that provide foundational support to performing arts organizations. Over the course of her career, she has worked with the Boston Ballet, Boston Center for the Arts, and Boston University. As BGMC’s interim executive director, Shoffner oversaw the successful holiday and spring concert series and an historic performance at the Inaugural Celebration of Gov. Maura Healey this past January. She also reimagined BGMC’s annual gala fundraiser and formed a new community volunteer partnership with Habitat for Humanity.
“Sarah’s passion for and experience with the arts, audience engagement, fundraising, relationship building, and cultivating community and business partnerships is exactly what BGMC needs in a leader now and into the future,” said BGMC Board Chair Al O’Connell. “The pressures of near-historic inflation and changing audience expectations have created a new performing environment that is almost unrecognizable from its pre-pandemic origins. Sarah has navigated this new environment with uncompromising skill, grace, courage, and leadership. We are thrilled that Sarah accepted our offer to remain at the helm of BGMC.”
“I am so honored to be named BGMC’s new Executive Director. Among gay choruses nationally, BGMC is a recognized artistic leader, but BGMC also stands out among Boston’s broad range of talented performing arts organizations,” Shoffner said. “I am excited to set the stage for years to come with new opportunities to advance BGMC’s artistry and impact. And I’m incredibly proud to be able to do so during a time when music’s power to build community and broaden understanding is needed now more than ever.”
“I’ve worked closely with Sarah over many years, including when she was our Customer Engagement Manager back in 2016 and when she put the systems in place during our 2018 tour of South Africa for BGMC to raise $40,000 for organizations that serve LGBTQ youth and adults, LGBTQ refugees, and people living with HIV,” said BGMC Music Director Reuben Reynolds. “I’m happy to say that those experiences, as positive as they were, don’t compare to the joy it has been these past months working with Sarah as BGMC’s leader. She has a way of putting all the pieces in place so I can focus on the music and our members can focus on the singing without having to think about anything else. I am over the moon with Sarah’s decision to stay on as our Executive Director.”
BGMC launched its search for a new Executive Director in January. Its Executive Director Search Committee was composed of members from all sections of the Chorus, representing different generations, experiences, and opinions. The Committee engaged with BGMC stakeholders through surveys and in-person/virtual listening sessions to help shape the ideal candidate profile. BGMC’s announcement that it was seeking an Executive Director drew 51 applicants and the Search Committee interviewed 15. Six candidates were invited back for a second round of interviews. After much discussion about the six finalists, the Search Committee concluded that Shoffner was the best candidate for the job and the BGMC Board of Directors unanimously voted to offer Shoffner the position as executive director during its May meeting.
In addition to the leadership roles Shoffner has held in nonprofit arts organizations, she holds a Master of Science in Arts Administration from Boston University and dual degrees in Business Management and Dance Studies from the University of South Florida.
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