If you and your friends were really that unhappy with the show, then you should go ahead and send back the feedback form that was included with the program. As you so rightly point out, there is a great deal of time and effort involved in putting together a program like this, so if you're at all interested in being fair to the hard-working volunteer singers who make up the membership of SFGMC -- as opposed to deriving cheap thrills from bashing the chorus anonymously online -- you'll tell them just what it was that you found wanting.

I understand the need for fans of the SFGMC to rally to the defense of the organization but there really is no getting around the fact that Rock Aria was probably one of the worst concerts I have ever sat through.

I have been a big fan of SFGMC for a long time. Their mission is one that I feel strongly about... the men and women that have spent time, money and energy towards furthering that mission should be commended and honored. But there is no arguing that the artistic product is at an all time low.

Each concert I go to has been worse and worse... more and more predictable... and the audience has gotten smaller and smaller. There was one bright spot over the last couple of years when Dr. McGuire was out of town and the podium was handed over to a guest conductor.... that was the wall of sound and passion I remember from days past.

The wonderful thing about San Francisco audiences is that they are loyal and gracious to their performers. But that being said.... this concert was a waste of my time and money. I sat most of the concert with my mouth open, shocked that they would put on the stage something so bad that I would expect to see better at a Jr. High concert. San Francisco has so much talent and so much passion that it is not enough to be impressed by a group of gay men on stage singing....you can see that at just about any club in the city.(and far more at a club.... I counted less than 120 men on stage... which says something about what the membership thought of the product they were putting forth) And the fact that the hall was less than 60% full tells me that Im not the only fan tired of watching a once great organization wasting away to joke.(and not even a funny joke at that.)

I applaud groups that step outside the box and program different music/acts. This is not about the subject matter....it is about the fact that the leadership of the SFGMC has lost touch with the rest of the arts world and what is acceptable to put on the stage. I am happy to watch any of my friends goofy 5 year olds jump and try to sing on youtube.....but Im not about to pay money anymore to pretend its something other than that.

Please SF.....demand a world class organization for your world class city.

...so much spirited discussion. It's appreciable.

From my seat in the middle of the orchestra that night, I honestly had a few moments of "hmm... really?", sure. And, they generously outnumbered the moments of "wow... cool!"

Congratulations to the Chorus' efforts. It was bold. It was daring. I look forward to a little more fine tuning next time around. I come back every time not because I expect perfection, but something new and simply fun. This is about the commitment to supporting the arts -- our arts -- and the community -- Our Community. But there is always room for improvement, and some other "high-end" organizations could learn a thing or two from it, I'll wager.

Now, about the dancers: loved the outfits (can I say "butts" on here?), and they (to my eye) put some good work into it. 'Nuff said.

I look forward to their fall concert. They probably have some Pride thing going on, too, but I'm not big on the Pride music.

Ciao Ladies, Gentlemen, and boys.

Oh, for heaven's sake, is it not possible to give a concert a negative review and not be charged with having some personal ax to grind? Let me spell it out: I HAVE NO AX TO GRIND. Do you think Roger Ebert has some personal ax to grind when when he gives many of the films he sees bad reviews? Like Mr. Ebert, I'm calling things as I see or (in this case) hear them.

I'm sorry, but this is not like a grade school play where all the kids get an "A" for effort. Maybe everyone did try hard, but I'm judging the result, which was not good. I've heard gay choruses give great performances. This was not the case here. Just because this is a gay group does not mean they get a pass from me.

I did not engage in character assasination of the conductor. I said she seems like a nice woman. That does not mean she is a good conductor. I have no idea what conducting award she was nominated for, but I'll eat a shoe in Union Square if she wins it. As for the being honored by the major and the State Senate---well, I don't think it has squat to do with her being a good conductor. These honors are routinely issued to hundreds of people.

I have talked to several singers who have left SFGMC because their artistic quality is not up to snuff. It's not just me and Guest who feel this way.

I do hope their next concert is an improvement over this last one.

Ok, she did win a prize. Obama won the Nobel Peace Prize and proceeded to bomb 4 or 5 countries.

I still say she is/was mediocre and Tim Seelig is a big improvement.

I won't be eating the shoe. Sorry, I lied, should have never said that.