Simple Gifts - GMCLA.ORG

As Cultural Ambassadors, The Gay Men's Chorus of Los Angeles toured four South American nations in its 2006 multi-lingual performances. 'Simple Gifts' was hailed by critics as one of the highlights, choreographed by Mark Chung.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• GMCLA
• Shaker
• Copland
• Appalachian
• gay
• chorus
• Chung

[Dedicednu]

Ah! I love this song! I don't suppose the dances were originally Shaker, though?

[jimroman]

Thanks! The choreography is original, created by Mark Chung (third from the right in the final line-up).

[Joecool7788]

is that part of the chorus dancing or hired dancers?

[jimroman]

All dancers appearing in this clip, and all YouTube clips of the Gay Men's Chorus of Los Angeles, are chorus members, not hired dancers. When learning a new song that involves choreography, GMCLA holds auditions from within our own ranks, and competition is strong. Choreographers must be singers first, though they often appear as dancers too. The choreographer for Simple Gifts is a dancer in this clip too.

[AweSaum]

Is it just me, or do they sing "when true simplicity is gay?"

[jimroman]

It's just you. That lyric is:

"When true simplicity is gained,

To bow and to bend we shan't be ashamed."

[globehunter2]

To be Gay is to be free whom you want to be`

to be free to explore your God given sexuality

For sexuality is not every single part of me`

see me for all of my gifts I bring to humanity

[SerNdipit2]

Beautiful - words and dance

[3948jeff]

This moving performance brought tears to my eyes and warmth to my heart.

Thank you Gay Men's Chorus of Los Angeles.

Jeff

[coffeescup]

Beautiful version.

[Fjacmans]

This is just the sweetest text to whisper in your lovers ear while holding him tight while watching the sun set together...how lovely!

[GaryFTaylor]

Nobody ever does the full song--they do the first verse and chorus, a little snippet of the original Shaker work song. The other verses are equally beautiful. It is a pity they are so seldom heard.

[1049berkeley]

Love the choreography

[Zabik]

What a moving video clip. Very powerful.

[taktak495]

WE R SINGING THIS IN CHORUS BUT FASTER!!!!

[taktak495]

finally not a gay hater!!!!

[streich13]

This is heart stopping in its simple beauty, and the guys are so graceful. Many thanks for sharing.