To help extend male chorus singing among the men of North America and thereby promote fellowship, good will and cooperation, the AMCA was established. Through our activities we work to enhance the enjoyment and the culture of our people, and to develop our music art form.

We seek:

• To maintain and extend male chorus singing in our culture.
• To create good will through music.
• To use the enthusiasm of singing to interest more men in male chorus activity.
• To bring people of varied vocations, locations and interests together to perform, experience and enjoy the unique, rich sound of male chorus music.
• To help organize new choruses.
• To encourage students of music through our scholarship fund program.
• To improve the quality of male chorus repertoire and standard of performance and thus enhance audience enjoyment.
• To bring before the public, music on a unique scale possible only through massed chorus singing utilizing hundreds of voices.

"Good Singing, Good Fellowship, and Public Service"

Our Slogan:

"More and better male choruses to make the United States and Canada nations of singing men."

In the early 1900's, most choruses were school-sponsored or supported by ethnic or religious organizations. Mr. Old belonged to the University Glee Club of New York and decided to give action to his ideas.

At a conference held by the Intercollegiate Musical Council in March of 1924 at the Sage Foundation in New York, Mr. Old presented his plan to the representatives of these eastern glee clubs. About 50 men participated in the deliberations.

On Tuesday, March 11, the Associated Glee Clubs of America, Inc. was formed, with Old being elected President.

Through the efforts of Old, the Associated officers and others, glee clubs were encouraged and organized In various locations in the U.S. and Canada, Many of these independent clubs were sponsored by industrial, fraternal, municipal and educational organizations. Junior glee clubs were established to expose the young singer to the rewards of the glee club experience.

In 1945, at a meeting on the AGCA in Whitehall, Michigan on June 29 through July 1, Mr. Old, having served his brainchild organization for 21 years, retired at the age of 72. His sister, Valerie W. Old, had assisted during the same period as secretary. They passed the reins on to Murray D. Welch, President, and Guy L. Stoppart, Executive Secretary.

At this same meeting the official name was changed to the Associated Male Choruses of America, Incorporated.

Today, the operation of the AMCA is managed by the Executive Secretary under the direction of the officers of the Associated, who are elected by the general membership.

The District
Presently, six districts comprise the international organization. A district is made up of two or more member choruses and serves to help promote the interaction of these choruses through joint concerts and the presentation of an annual District Big Sing.

AMCA International - AMCA International Officers
This is the body which conducts the business of the AMCA. The Executive Secretary is responsible for the day-to-day operation of the AMCA under the direction of the Executive Committee. The officers of AMCA International are elected for two-year terms.

Each district is represented by a vote of either the District Governor or District President, and by one vote of one delegate from the district for each 100 members -- or major fraction there of -- of the district. (Example: A district with 480 members has 6 votes.)

AMCA International establishes and broadcasts annually the AMCA Common Repertoire; publishes THE CHORISTER, a monthly newsletter, September through May; assembles and makes available to member choruses music inventories which other choruses will lend out; promotes communication between domestic and foreign male choruses; assists in planning International Big Sings; and promotes and extends male chorus activity through advertising, publicity, advice and counseling. The International Board meets each spring and fall to conduct necessary business.

DUES: Annual per capita dues are paid by each chorus through its District Treasurer and the International Executive Secretary to the Association Treasurer.

AFFILIATE MEMBERSHIP: These are available to persons or organizations interested in AMCA activities and the promotion of male chorus singing.

ASSOCIATE MEMBERSHIP: These are available to paid employees of the AMCA. They receive the Chorister Newsletter.

LIFE MEMBERSHIP: Are similar to Affiliate Memberships but intended for those wishing to so indicate their level of interest.

Life and Associate Members receive The Cborister newsletter as well as the minutes and financial reports of all associated meetings.

The AMCA is grateful for the support of its many Life, Affiliate and Associate Members and encourages their comments and ideas on how to expand the enjoyment of this rewarding avocation.

This Common Repertoire is reviewed annually by a committee headed by a member Director. The Chairman annually canvasses all member chorus directors asking for the selection of three songs to be dropped and three entered on the list, thus ensuring "grass roots" input and numbers which have been found to be highly entertaining. The Committee then publishes the International Common Repertoire for member chorus use, and use in all International Big Sings.

The Association also appoints a Music Reviewer who surveys new arrangements and reviews and reports on them in The Chorister. This is another way member Directors, repertoire committees and singers are kept informed on what's new in male chorus literature.

Carrying the Common Repertoire process further, each AMCA district is encouraged to select its repertoire from the AMCA list so that choruses from any other district may visit a Big Sing and know the massed numbers. It also provides an excellent base of music for individual choruses to use in local performances.

It lists titles, publishers and their numbers, composers and other valuable information on the song, The anthology is updated regularly to keep it current with music available in the market place.

MUSIC FOR MALE CHORUS is currently "out-of-print" but it is available on the AMCA web site.

The sight and sound of hundreds of voices raised in song under one director is something to behold. To be part of it is an extraordinary experience!

International and District Big Sings are hosted and planned by a member chorus with the assistance of the International body.

These Sings require extensive expertise in planning and execution, and present a unique opportunity for fans and devotees of male chorus singing to see what other choruses are doing. It's the perfect forum for displaying new audience-pleasing repertoire and staging.

The Chorister reports on Associated matters, member activities and accomplishments, music reviews, future Big Sings and more. intended as a vital informational tool, this newsletter also seeks to assist in popularizing male chorus activities through selective mailing to the local media.

The AMCA is in a position to offer cash awards and the opportunities for premier performances by any of its nearly 50 choruses. Winning compositions may be presented to publisher contacts if so desired. For more information and entry forms, contact the Executive Secretary.

1. It answers questions from members on such matters as how to plan Big Sings and Afterglows; business problems encountered in establishing or maintaining a chorus or district; tax questions; and it gives individual choruses the benefit of the composite experience of all its member clubs.
2. Assists in securing permission to produce arrangements of copyrighted music.
3. Informs its membership of tastes and trends in concert presentations, music and Afterglows through Chorister reports.
4. Supplies the Common Repertoire each year a valuable reference of popular male chorus music,
5. Assists in securing permission to print copyrighted music in the programs of members chorus performances
6. Serves to promote good will and communication bet between domestic and foreign choruses through its publications and services.
7. Maintains member choruses non-profit status by annually filing necessary documents with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service.

Most AMCA choruses at one time or another throughout the year present benefit concerts, and all contribute their time and talents to perform for local and visiting populace. Through annual performances and in appearances for clubs, conventions, civic affairs, religious occasions and a host of other gatherings, member choruses of the international AMCA endeavor to entertain - and enjoy it in the process!!!

And the pride and satisfaction you get from being part of a successful performance or a profitable project are a real boost to the spirit.

By contributing your time and talents in this rewarding activity you'll experience real personal enjoyment, growth and development.

The fun and fellowship of male chorus involvement are the rewards you, your family and friends will enjoy for years.

Those interested in joining the AMCA at a reduced student rate should contact any local AMCA member chorus, or he may write to the AMCA's Executive Secretary.

We invite all interested parties to contact us to learn more about this rewarding avocation. We will be glad to help organize a new chorus, advise on problems or assist in applying for membership as an Associate or Life Member, or becoming a new member chorus of the AMCA. Contact: