San Diego Gay Men’s Chorus (SDGMC) is thrilled to announce the appointment of Andy Riggs as our Guest Artistic Director. Andy will be leading the way for our return to live performances by managing rehearsals and production for our holiday concert Jingle at the Balboa Theater later this year.
Andy shares a long and supportive history with SDGMC, including his most recent oversight of this year’s two virtual concerts, All Together Now in May 2021 and Unmuted! for Pride 2021 at the end of this month. Prior to our lockdown back in March of 2020, Andy was also Section Leader for our Tenor 2 section and had conducted the Chorus in the past at various outreach performances throughout San Diego County as well as guest conducting specific numbers during our stage performances at the Balboa Theatre.
“Andy best demonstrated the skills, experience, and disposition to lead SDGMC during this exciting time of transition. The Board of Directors is very happy he accepted our offer of employment, and plans are already underway for our return to rehearsals this fall,” said Dr. James Marshall, SDGMC’s Board President.
Also relevant to this work with SDGMC, he is currently working on a Masters Degree in Choral Conducting at California State University, Los Angeles.
“I cannot wait to work with Andy in his new role as our Guest Artistic Director,” said Jeff Heine, Executive Director. “Andy was instrumental in the success of our virtual programming efforts and I have enjoyed the chance to work with him during outreach performances in the past. I am looking forward to his ideas, commitment and leadership during these transitional months that bring SDGMC back to live performances.”
“I am incredibly honored to be entrusted with the opportunity to lead the SDGMC as the Guest Artistic Director,” said Andy Riggs. “I am proud to be part of an organization that is committed to musical excellence, embracing diversity, and creating community through a shared love of music. I cannot wait to bring the joy of Jingle back to San Diego!”
SDGMC will return to the virtual stage with their Pride concert Unmuted! on July 30 – August 1 on our website at sdgmc.org, presented by Sycuan Casino Resort. The concert will feature performances from past concerts and two new virtual performances. The concert will also feature a third virtual performance, a collaboration with the San Diego Women’s Chorus called “Resilience,” in honor of this year’s “Resilient” theme for San Diego Pride. And be sure to watch for the official announcement of our return to the stage with San Diego’s favorite holiday tradition, “Jingle!” in December with our Guest Artistic Director, Andy Riggs.
Please join us in congratulating Andy Riggs!
