A new leaf has turned for the Seattle Men's Chorus and Seattle Women's Chorus, who together announced interim director Craig Coogan's shift to permanent executive director in mid-September. Following significant financial losses in recent seasons and a slow return of audiences to prepandemic levels, Coogan has entered this role at a critical time for the organization, and just in time to prepare for the 2024 holiday season.

A veteran in the LGBTQ+ choral movement
Coogan brings over 30 years of experience to this position, after previous leadership roles in Boston, Los Angeles, and St. Paul. His impact has been marked by an ability to build lasting operational infrastructure while remaining grounded in organizational and community values.

As executive director of the Boston Gay Men's Chorus, Coogan oversaw prepandemic increases in annual ticket sales, nearly doubled the singing membership, and grew individual, government, and foundation giving. Coogan's leadership also deepened the organization's commitment to racial and gender diversity by growing BIPOC membership by 28% and audiences by 15%, while welcoming gender-diverse choral members to the organization.

Under Coogan's leadership, the Boston Gay Men's Chorus was also the first LGBTQ+ chorus to tour and perform in the Middle East and in South Africa.

Since coming to Seattle, Coogan has similarly worked to increase ticket sales, grow membership, develop culturally relevant shows for the Seattle audience, and expand access to performances. During the 2023-24 season, concerts incorporated video with song in order to tackle current social justice issues like banned books, immigration, and protecting the art of drag.

Carrying Seattle Choruses through COVID-19 and beyond
In the role of interim executive director, Coogan's overarching task was to ensure that Seattle Choruses emerged from the COVID-19 pandemic able to make just as much impact as it did before.

"[In] Seattle, having been one of the cities most impacted by COVID-19, and then one of the slowest to return to the halls [after the] pandemic-" he said, "the focus became 'How can we work with that? How can we grow and maintain these choruses in a time when they can no longer bring the community together for live performances?'"

Coogan's tactics during this time period have already proven beneficial. By developing a more robust social media presence and utilizing YouTube to upload new and archival footage for both choruses, for example, the organization has already seen expansions in overall impressions and viewership.
"Once we filled out the YouTube channels, we're at the place now where we have hundreds of videos, and in total they've seen tens of thousands of views," Coogan said. "This is a new way to share our music and message."

Coogan also noted the successes of tactics like introducing the choruses to new audiences - and fans who have moved away or remain virtual attendees - by offering streaming passes to concerts. The choruses have also begun staging abbreviated kids' show versions of select concerts, aimed at shaping the message of the performance for shorter attention spans.

One of Coogan's main focuses is amplifying the overarching message of Seattle Men's Chorus and Seattle Women's Chorus, which holds deep and historic significance in our region's LGBTQ+ community.

"The Seattle Men's Chorus and Seattle Women's Chorus have a wonderful legacy of performing music that makes a difference," he said.

"It's a tremendous honor to continue working with the choruses, particularly at this moment in time, as our music builds bridges, breaks down stereotypes, and humanizes the 'other' in powerful ways... In the process it has the power to change hearts and minds, and to bind us together at a time in our world when love and acceptance are needed more than ever."

Paul Caldwell, artistic director for both choruses, said that Coogan's leadership during that period was "transformative."

"He cherishes the legacy of a Seattle institution while simultaneously supporting a new continuum of creativity. His tenacious dedication to the chorus's artistry is the stuff of which legends are made. And now he's here to stay. I couldn't be more thrilled," said Caldwell.

The present moment and a vision for the future
Looking forward to the 2024-25 season and beyond, Coogan said his sights are set on a return to glory for the historically renowned Seattle Choruses, while ensuring that "everyone who connects with us has an extraordinary experience."

"The Seattle Men's Chorus and Seattle Women's Chorus were at one time the largest volunteer chorus in America, and we would like to go back to being that," he said. "Tens of thousands of people engaging in the audiences again, that is the level we want to return to."

Through combined digital and physical expansion this year - with shows in Tacoma, Everett, and next spring, Bellingham - and exciting new musical arrangements, the season is poised to make a bigger splash already.

A look at the upcoming season
Get ready to commence the holidays this December with the Seattle Men's Chorus holiday show, Ho Ho Ho!, including a special rendition of "Nails, Hair, Hips, Heels" by Todrick Hall.

Then, in February, see Fly Me to the Moon: The Seattle Women's Chorus Sings the Great American Songbook, taking place at Benaroya Recital Hall and featuring a showcase of woman-powered music and immersing the audience in those women's stories via video.

Finally, next spring, enjoy and learn about an iconic LGBTQ+ ally's music and activism in Dolly: A Seattle Men's Chorus Salute to Dolly Parton, a show built entirely on music Dolly Parton created and performed, including new arrangements of Parton's hits.

"Come out to a show!" said Coogan, who can often be found at the doors before or after each one.

Tickets for the Seattle Women's Chorus shows and Seattle Men's Chorus shows can be found at https://SeattleWomensChorus.org and https://SeattleMensChorus.org respectively.