The Atlanta Gay Men's Chorus has a new executive director, the group announced today. Crystal Anderson, previously a senior vice president of StandUP for Kids, a nonprofit organization dedicated to rescuing homeless and at-risk youth, officially took the reigns of the 100-member chorus on Oct. 31.

"This position fills a need within me to give back to our wonderfully diverse community while using my experience, talent and passion for achieving excellence to help the chorus grow and achieve a higher level of success than ever before," Anderson said today in a press release.

"My heart has always been with helping others -- whether it be the homeless, the ill or those fighting against a system that refuses to grant them equal rights based on race, religion or sexual orientation -- so it was a natural fit for me," Anderson added.

AGMC board chairman, Ann Pinyan, said that Anderson's history of volunteering with LGBT organizations made her a good candidate to lead the chorus.

"Crystal's strengths lie in her unwavering commitment to the organizational mission, her ability to lead others toward a shared goal, and in creating and implementing an effective administrative infrastructure. We're confident she will bring the same level of excellence to the chorus' business operations that Kevin Robison brings to its artistic product. We consider ourselves extremely fortunate to have her join our team," Pinyan said.

The next event on the AGMC calendar is its annual holiday concert, held on Friday and Saturday, Dec. 9 - ­ 10 at the Cathedral of St. Philip. Showtimes are 8 p.m. both evenings. There will also be a 2 p.m. afternoon show on Sunday, Dec. 10. Guests for the concert include the Atlanta Concert Ringers and soloist W. Dwight Colema.

For more information about the Atlanta Gay Men's Chorus, please visit www.agmchorus.org.

Top photo: The Atlanta Gay Men's Chorus (by Brent Corcoran/RNZ Photography)