By Lauren Marcellino / Monitor staff - May 15, 2018 | 1 comment

The N.H. Gay Men's Chorus received a commendation from Gov. Chris Sununu in March prior to the start of the group's 20th anniversary spring concert series. Courtesy

The New Hampshire Gay Men’s Chorus returns to Concord on Saturday for a celebratory concert.

“Celebrating 20 Years: A Generation of Music” is the name of this year’s concert series. NHGMC is performing at Wesley United Methodist Church in Concord, 79 Clinton St., at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday. The final concert in the series is Sunday at South Church in Portsmouth at 4 p.m.

This month, they are performing in celebration of 20 years as a group. They sing a variety of genres, including musical theatre, classical music, jazz and pop.

The group was formed in New Hampshire in 1998 and has been performing around the state since. They hold two concert series each year – a winter one in early December and a spring collection in early May.

The nonprofit group also accepts requests to perform from community organizations. They have performed outreach concerts for assisted living centers, interfaith services, and have performed at civic, sports and business organizations. The group was personally invited to the state Capitol to perform for Gov. Chris Sununu in March and are the recipient of a 20th anniversary Commendation from Sununu. They even sang the national anthem at Fenway Park for Boston Red Sox.

Not only has the singing group been noticed around New England, they also traveled to Florida and performed at Epcot Center at Walt Disney World in 2004. The group strives to present a positive image of gay men in New Hampshire and their performances are meant to create a wholesome and fun atmosphere for their audiences.

In April 2003, the mayor of Manchester, Robert A. Baines, deemed April 27 “Gay Men’s Chorus Day.”

Year round, they offer public and private performances for community organizations. NHGMC also allows memberships for men, 18 years and older, who are either gay or are gay-friendly and enjoy the dynamic of singing and performing in a group. At the beginning of each season, members are accepted.

Visit nhgmc.com for more information. To reserve tickets online, visit nhgmc.com/tickets or purchase tickets at the door. Tickets cost $22 for adults ages 13 through 64 and $17 for seniors, 65 and older, and veterans. Children age 12 and under are free.