Washington, D.C., and its environs are home to a choral music scene, including choirs and choruses of many sizes and types.
Choral organizations Note - this section does not discuss particular scholastic / university or church ensembles unless they are independently notable.
Symphonic choruses Unlike many American cities, Washington, D.C., features several independent (i.e., non-orchestra-controlled) symphonic choruses, including three major organizations with annual budgets exceeding $1 million.Anne Midgette, New groups like National Master Chorale signal key change in D.C. choral scene, Washington Post, Dec. 19, 2009 (visited Apr. 5, 2015)
The Choral Arts Society of Washington presents an annual concert series at the Kennedy Center, performs frequently with the National Symphony Orchestra (NSO), and in recent years has performed with prominent symphony orchestras from Philadelphia, Baltimore, London, Russia (Mariinsky), and China (Qingdao). It regularly participates in nationally televised events such as the Kennedy Center Honors and A Capitol Fourth. It also tours internationally every 3–4 years, including a landmark tour to Russia in 1993 with Mstislav Rostropovich and the NSO, two trips to the Festival dei Due Mondi in Spoleto, Italy in 1993 and 2001, opening the BBC Proms in London in 2002, performing with Valery Gergiev and the London Symphony Orchestra in 2008, and a visit to China with the Qingdao Symphony Orchestra in 2015. The Choral Arts Society is the largest choral organization by budget in the Washington area. The organization also includes a vocal chamber ensemble.
The Washington Chorus, previously known as the Oratorio Society of Washington, is directed by Dr. Eugene Rogers and dedicated to reframing classic choral repertoire, revitalizing overlooked or underrepresented works, and commissioning new music. It is the largest chorus in Washington D.C, with over 220 singers on its roster. TWC regularly partners with the National Symphony Orchestra (over 300 performances), Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, and National Philharmonic, with regular Kennedy Center performances and several international tours, most recently in 2024 to Argentina.Virginia Chacon Dorr, The monumental Mendelssohn's oratorio Elijah will be presented at the CCK, Musica Clasica, June 2, 2024 (visited Jan. 10, 2024) In 2000, the chorus (then led by Robert Shafer) received the Grammy Award for Best Choral Performance for its live recording of Benjamin Britten's War Requiem. TWC was the first major Washington area chorus to be founded independent of a church or college, and the first major symphonic chorus in the United States to be directed by an African-American.D. Kevin McNeir, Nation’s Only Black to Lead Major U.S. Symphonic Chorus Heading to D.C., The Washington Informer, September 9, 2020 (visited Jan. 10, 2024)
The Cathedral Choral Society is the oldest symphonic chorus in Washington, founded in 1941 by Paul Callaway and directed by J. Reilly Lewis from 1985 to 2016. It performs primarily at the Washington National Cathedral but also appears regularly at the Kennedy Center and other local venues.
Finally, the City Choir of Washington was established under the direction of Robert Shafer in 2007Tim Page, A Musical Reprise for Robert Shafer, Washington Post, Sep. 1, 2007 (visited Apr. 5, 2015) in the wake of his departure from the Washington Chorus.Tim Page, Robert Shafer of Washington Chorus to Step Down in '07, Washington Post, Sep. 6, 2006 (visited Apr. 5, 2015). Coincidentally, Shafer's departure from the Washington Chorus and eventual formation of the City Choir occurred 100 years after an earlier Washington Oratorio Society split away from the city's original Choral Society in 1907.
In Virginia, the 120-voice Fairfax Choral Society has been a community institution since 1962.Fairfax Choral Society, Who We Are (visited Apr. 5, 2015) The Choralis Foundation, founded in 2000 in Falls Church, supports a symphonic chorus and four other auditioned choirs of various typesChoralis, About Choralis (visited Apr. 5, 2015) The 200-voice New Dominion Chorale (founded in 1991) performs symphonic repertoire, but is structured as a "singers' cooperative" and does not require auditions to participate.New Dominion Chorale, Our History (visited Apr. 8, 2015)
Mid-size choruses There are a large number of mid-size choruses in the Washington, D.C., area, including the Washington Master ChoraleMidgette, Anne, "New groups like National Master Chorale signal key change in D.C. choral scene", Staff Writer, Washington Post, December 19, 2009. Retrieved: September 2, 2011. which was formed in 2009 by former singers from the Master Chorale of Washington.
Many ensembles have a particular focus on specific geographic, demographic, or ethnic communities of interest. These include the 100-voice Capitol Hill Chorale (founded in 1993) based in the city's Capitol Hill neighborhood, which occasionally performs symphonic repertoire and has a tradition of performing works of the Orthodox liturgy.The Capitol Hill Chorale, About (visited Apr. 5, 2015) The Congressional Chorus, founded in 1987, is a multigenerational performance-based community chorus that promotes American choral music and concerts involving dance, poetry, and spoken word artists. It incorporates a senior-focused program, NorthEast Senior Singers (NESS), an auditioned adult SATB chorus, an a cappella chamber ensemble, and an American Youth Chorus (AYC) for students in grades 3-8.Congressional Chorus
The 50-voice 18th Street Singers (formed in 2005) is composed of young professionals,18th Street Singers, About the 18th Street Singers (visited Apr. 5, 2015) Zemer Chai: The Jewish Chorale of the Nation's Capital," founded by conductor Eleanor Epstein in 1976, is one of the nation’s leading Jewish choirs. The choir sings the full range of Jewish choral repertoire, from classical and liturgical pieces to world Jewish folk music in multiple languages, and new works composed especially for the choir. The choir frequently collaborates with other D.C area choirs, such as Chorale Contigas and the Heritage Signature Chorale, and performs at Interfaith and community events. Zemer Chai has performed at the White House, the Library of Congress, Strathmore, and the Kennedy Center, as well as concert halls in Boston, New York, and Philadelphia Zemer Chai, About Us (visited June 27, 2015) Kolot HaLev (Voices of the Heart), founded by Hazzan Dr. Ramon Tasat in 2008, is the only independent Jewish community choir in the DC area that does not require singers to audition. Kolot HaLev is the choir-in-residence at Shirat HaNefesh (Song of the Soul) Congregation, and also offers annual concerts exploring the vast treasury of Jewish music, from Italy to Russia.
In the Maryland suburbs, the 40-voice Maryland Choral Society (formed in 1971) is a community choral group based in Prince George's County, Maryland.Maryland Choral Society, History of the Maryland Choral Society (visited Apr. 5, 2015) In Virginia, the 90-voice teaching choir Vienna Choral Society (founded in 1986) draws audiences from the DC-metro region, and the 80-voice Reston Chorale (founded in 1967) serves western Fairfax County.The Reston Chorale, About the Chorale (visited Apr. 5, 2015) The 45-voice Alexandria Choral Society (established in 1970) focuses on choral repertoireAlexandria Choral Society, About Alexandria Choral Society (visited Apr. 5, 2015) while the Alexandria Singers (founded in 1975) focus on American popular music.Alexandria Singers, Group History (visited Apr. 5, 2015)
Men's choruses The 60-voice Washington Men's Camerata (founded in 1984) has been directed by Frank Albinder since 1999 and performs annually at the Kennedy Center. The Camerata has released critically acclaimed recordings,Washington Men's Camerata, General Information (visited Apr. 5, 2015) and maintains a National Library of Men's Choral Music.Washington Men's Camerata, Library (visited Apr. 5, 2015)
The Gay Men's Chorus of Washington, D.C. (founded in 1981) has more than 250 singing members, performs music across a range of styles, and regularly conducts outreach performances, with a dual mission that includes "champion[ing] gay equality."Gay Men's Chorus of Washington, D.C., History (visited Apr. 5, 2015). The National Men's Chorus was founded in 1999 by Thomas Beveridge,National Men's Chorus, About (visited Apr. 5, 2015) soon after his departure as director of the Men's Camerata.Letter to the Editor, In Defense of the Men's Camerata (visited Apr. 5, 2015)
The Suspicious Cheese Lords (founded in 1996) is a men's early music ensemble that focuses on the rediscovery of unknown Renaissance polyphony. Founded by a group of friends with a shared interest in the music of Thomas Tallis and currently comprising about a dozen members, the group's mission is to promote early music throughout the greater Washington area.
Women's choruses IlluminareReinthaler, Joan, , Washington Post, "The Classical Beat" blog by Anne Midgette), June 14, 2010. Retrieved: May 31, 2013. – women's ensemble specializing in early music Capital Accord ChorusThornton, Laura L, 5 "Things to Know Today: Sept. 1" , Chevy Chase Patch (Maryland), September 1, 2011. Retrieved: September 2, 2011. – women's chorus in Silver Spring, MD, singing four-part a cappella harmony Capital Harmonia – women's chorus focused on arrangements by women composers and performances promoting women's issues. Washington Women's Chorus – 35-member chorus performs works ranging from 11th-century chants, to compositions by Vivaldi and Brahms, and new works by American and international composers Voix de Femmes
Gospel and African-American heritage choruses The 130-voice Washington Performing Arts (WPA) Men and Women of the Gospel Choir, founded in 1991 and directed by Stanley Thurston, performs regularly at the Kennedy Center and other local venues.Washington Performing Arts, About the Washington Performing Arts Men and Women of the Gospel Choir (visited Apr. 7, 2015). Thurston is also the founder and director of the Heritage Signature Chorale, which focuses on African-American spirituals as well as classical repertoire.Heritage Signature Chorale, Mission & History (visited Apr. 7, 2015)Tucker, Neely, "Slavery's Unchained Melodies", Washington Post, Sunday, February 20, 2005.
Other area ensembles include Mosaic Harmony in Fairfax County, Virginia,Mosaic Harmony, Meet Our Choir (visited Apr. 7, 2015) as well as Patrick Lundy and the Ministers of Music based in Maryland.Patrick Lundy and the Ministers of Music, Biographical Statement (visited Apr. 7, 2015)
Chamber choirs The Washington area has a large number of chamber vocal ensembles. The Washington Bach Consort, founded in 1977, presents concerts using a professional chorus and orchestra using period instruments.Washington Bach Consort, About the Consort (visited Apr. 7, 2015) The Bach Consort is noted for performing the music of Johann Sebastian Bach and his contemporaries, and performs a monthly series of weekday noontime cantatas in downtown Washington in addition to regular concert performances.Washington Bach Consort, Noontime Cantatas (visited Apr. 7, 2015) The Thomas Circle Singers (founded in 1976) have a dual mission that includes donating ticket proceeds to area non-profit organizations, and have been recognized for both community involvement as well as musicianship.Thomas Circle Singers, About Us (visited Apr. 7, 2015)Music: The Thomas Circle Singers 35th Anniversary Concert, Washingtonian, Events Calendar, May 14, 2011. Retrieved: September 2, 2011.