Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - We would like to thank everyone who helped make Alegria! such a success. It was exciting in so many ways! What an amazing night it was.

Alegría, a lyrical word that means Joy or Happiness in Spanish, was a particularly befitting name for the first major performance of the Puerto Vallarta Men's Chorus - the first gay men's chorus in Latin America. Not only does it describe the beauty of the human spirit during the holiday season when it is often at its best, but it also captures the love and brotherhood that is celebrated whenever people come together in song.

Music can convey more feeling and understanding in a single chord than an encyclopedia of words... each note, almost magically placed in its proper place, working in harmony with its brothers and sisters to give rise to something eternally splendid. I have always found this to be a profound metaphor for life - for we all have our own unique note to sing, and when we come together in a noble purpose we find that it is our differences that give us the strength and wisdom to open any door.

Together, we made a difference. It has been my pure joy to take this journey with my brothers of the chorus, our director, Bob Bruneau, my fellow board members, Gustavo Conteras, Cynthia McManus and Roberta Mark, and so many others who toiled selflessly so that we could present you with our own special version of Alegría this holiday season.

On behalf of all of us... We hope that you will take a bit of joy from our performance into your spirit and into your homes - a gift of fellowship and love that comes from the bottom of our hearts.

Merry Christmas to one and all!
Jeffrey Jude Vitale
President, Puerto Vallarta Men's Chorus