Biography

The Golden Gate Men's Chorus was formed by Dick Kramer in 1982 as the Dick Kramer Gay Men's Chorale. Reorganized as the Golden Gate Men's Chorus (GGMC) in 1988, the GGMC continues to present high quality performances of men's choral music.

Joseph Piazza was appointed GGMC Music Director in May 2010. During his tenure, the chorus has appeared at international and state choral festivals, released recordings of newly commissioned works, partnered with community arts organizations, and performed throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. In 2016 GGMC was the category winner of the Golden State Interkultur International Festival. The chorus performed at the 2014 American Choral Directors Association Western Division Regional Convention and received several awards at the World Choir Games in Riga, Latvia. GGMC recently released its second recording under the direction of Mr. Piazza, featuring newly commissioned works by composers including Vytautas Miškinis, Ivo Antognini, David Conte, and Leonard Enns. In July 2018, GGMC appears at the Llangollen International Musical Eistedfodd in Wales as part of a tour of the UK.

Joseph Piazza received degrees from Northwestern University and the University of Cincinnati College–Conservatory of Music. He is the choral music director of Piedmont High School A Cappella Choir and the founding director of ECCO, the alumni chorus of the Piedmont East Bay Children’s Choir. Mr. Piazza studied conducting with SFS Chorus Director Emeritus Vance George and he has also worked with Dennis Keene and the Gregg Smith Singers. He frequently appears as guest conductor with community choruses across California.

(April 2017)