December days are the shortest but the brightest, and much of the light and joy is created by music. Modern Men – Coachella Valley Men’s Chorus shares the spirit of the holidays as its 11th season begins and a new decade of making musical memories is upon us.
You will have many chances to experience the 120-voice-strong chorus this holiday season:
- Sunday, Dec. 8 at 3 p.m. at St. Margaret’s Cathedral in Palm Desert
- Saturday, Dec. 14 at 7 p.m. at the Palm Springs Cultural Center
- Sunday, Dec. 15 at 3 p.m. at the Palm Springs Cultural Center
“‘Home for the Holidays’ is effervescent and joyous,” according to modernmen.org. “Combined with exquisite singing, it brings Modern Men – Coachella Valley Men’s Chorus's concert to our beloved Coachella Valley audience: a combination of delightful nostalgia of holidays past and brand new music of our sacred personal experiences.”
Dr. Stan Hill, artistic director of Modern Men, says he curates the program for the concerts like a bride: something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue. In other words, something familiar, something new, something borrowed (meaning you don't have to reinvent the wheel, as there are many GALA – Gay and Lesbian Association of Choruses – groups across the country, and they all share their line-ups), and something blue (meaning there have to be pieces that emotionally grab you).
Hill earned a PhD in laryngeal physiology – the study of the functions of the larynx, a small organ in the neck that plays a critical role in breathing, swallowing, and voice production. He is a veteran director of choirs and directed Minnesota’s Twin Cities Gay Men’s Chorus and San Francisco’s Gay Men’s Choir. Hill moved to the Coachella Valley in 2012 and began his tenure at Modern Men in 2016. He is a professor at Cal State Fullerton and is active in the National Association of Teachers and Singing (NATS).
With more than 50 years of work in this field, Hill is a dynamic conductor, arranger, clinician, and vocal coach. His career is distinguished and varied, including elementary, middle, high school, university, church, and community choruses. A seasoned pro, Hill has conducted every form of vocal group and chorus with every mix of instrumentation, from small ensembles to full symphony orchestras. He was honored with GALA Choruses’ highest accolade, the Lifetime Achievement Award, in 2012.
A native of Southern California, Hill now calls Palm Desert home.
Modern Men – Coachella Valley Men’s Chorus performs all over the Valley throughout the year. Notable shows in 2024 included performing the national anthem for the Coachella Valley Firebirds’ Pride Night and performing with Barry Manilow at the Steve Chase Awards.
“Last season, our 10th season, was a very busy season,” Jerald Miller, marketing director for Modern Men, says. “Besides all our performing, we found time to give back to the community, as well. Over the last two years, we have donated more than $5,200 to the Manilow Music Project, and our community outreach continues to grow throughout the Valley.”
As one of the top teams for the DAP Health Equity Walk, Modern Men raised more than $23,500 for DAP Health during the past two years. The group sent a big contingent to walk and raise money for AIDS research and support. Chorus members donated many bags of clothing and shoes to the United Methodist Church of Palm Springs’ homeless ministry program. The group also donated just under one ton of food to the Community Food Bank at the LGBTQ Community Center of the Desert.
Hill says the Modern Men love their involvement with the community and find philanthropic work deeply meaningful and complementary to performing. The chorus has grown from 25 members to 120; many singers have been members of other gay men’s choruses around the country. Members of the group include doctors, lawyers, and men from all walks of life. A beloved member and trans woman, Daisy, recently died, and Hill spoke emotionally about her contribution and integration into the ensemble.
Modern Men is a 501(c)(3) organization. The original name of the chorus was Caballeros. Modern Men grew out of a rift with the Palm Springs Gay Men’s Chorus – a conflict that has since been repaired. Today, both choruses sing at concerts together. Joining together and using musical expression, the Modern Men use their voices and actions to bring light, joy, and positive contributions to the community.
Tickets for holiday concerts are on sale now. Mark your calendars for April 12 and 13, 2025, when a 1970s-themed program will surely be groovy.
