I Will Sing
The Gay Men's Chorus of Tampa Bay closed the first half of their concert, "Songs of a Man's Heart / I Love the '80s", with a triumphant performance of Michael Engelhardt's "I Will Sing" at Allendale United Methodist Church in St. Petersburg, Florida, on May 17, 2024. The piece, an anthem of vocal commitment and collective resolve, brought the program's reflective opening act to a stirring and affirming close.
Engelhardt's writing in "I Will Sing" is characterized by rhythmic vitality, soaring melodic lines, and harmonies that build a sense of unstoppable forward motion. The Gay Men's Chorus of Tampa Bay embraced these qualities fully, delivering the work with energy, precision, and unmistakable joy. From the opening measures, a strong rhythmic pulse drove the music forward, while clean entrances and confident phrasing gave the piece a sense of buoyant urgency.
The ensemble's strong unity was particularly evident in the work's more demanding passages. Layered vocal lines wove together cleanly, with each section contributing distinct color while maintaining a cohesive whole. Crisp diction allowed Engelhardt's text — a celebration of voice as a means of self-expression and connection — to resonate clearly throughout the sanctuary. The chorus's commitment to the message gave the performance an almost rallying quality, drawing the audience into its sense of shared purpose.
Dynamic shaping helped underline the piece's emotional arc. Gentler passages set up moments of full-throated release, with the chorus moving from intimate restraint to open celebration with seamless control. Allendale United Methodist Church's acoustics supported the build beautifully, allowing the piece's climactic moments to bloom while preserving clarity in the more delicate sections.
Within the program of "Songs of a Man's Heart", "I Will Sing" served as a perfect summation. After a half hour of inward reflection — songs about love, belonging, and the soul's interior life — Engelhardt's piece reaffirmed the simple, defiant act of singing as both personal expression and communal declaration. For the Gay Men's Chorus of Tampa Bay, whose mission is rooted in voice and visibility, the piece carried particular meaning. Their performance left the audience energized and uplifted, fully prepared for the second half's bright, exuberant turn into the music of the 1980s.