Chorus

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Singing with the Choral Arts Chorus
 
 
Performances
 
Subscription Series
The Choral Arts Society presents a subscription series of four to five concerts every season. These concerts take place most often in the Kennedy Center Concert Hall and occasionally at other venues throughout the Washington, DC area.
 
Additional Performances
The Choral Arts Society presents a variety of additional performances every season including the Family Christmas Concert and a musical celebration of the legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr.  The organization is also hired to collaborate with local, national and international ensembles and presenters in concerts throughout the Washington, DC area.
 
MLK Celebration
A Capitol Fourth with Special Guest John Williams
   
Optional Performance Opportunities
In addition to regular season performances, Choral Arts provides these optional opportunities to sing.
  • Television:  The Chorus may be invited to appear in nationally televised programs such as Kennedy Center Honors and A Capitol Fourth.
  • Special Events and Ceremonial Appearances:  The Chorus is regularly called upon to help inaugurate presidents, honor world leaders and celebrate national holidays.
  • Foreign and Domestic Tours:  The Chorus has embarked on several national and international tours.  These experiences include performances in Carnegie Hall (NY City), Red Square (Moscow), Notre Dame Cathedral (Paris), Royal Albert Hall and St. Paul’s Cathedral (London), Teatro Colón (Buenos Aires) and Theatro Municipal (Rio de Janeiro).  Touring History
With the New York Philharmonic at Avery Fisher Hall
At the Theatro Municipal in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
 
Recordings
 
The Choral Arts Society has produced or participated in 17 critically acclaimed recordings.  Discography
 
Rehearsals
 
Piano Rehearsals
The Chorus rehearses at least once a week during the performance season.  Additional piano rehearsals may be scheduled, if needed.
  • Day & Time:  Every Tuesday evening, 7:30pm – 10:00pm.
  • Location:  St. Alban’s Episcopal Church – Satterlee Hall.
  • Address:  3001 Wisconsin Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20015 .  Google Maps
  • Directions:
    • The church is located at the corner of Wisconsin & Massachusetts Avenues, NW.  The entrance to the church driveway (Lychgate Road) is on the East side of Wisconsin Avenue, between Washington National Cathedral and Massachusetts Avenue.
    • Satterlee Hall is in the first building on your right as you enter Lychgate Road.
  • Parking:
    • Ground-level parking is available on the street (DC parking restrictions apply) and on the campus of St. Alban’s Church and Washington National Cathedral (after 3:30pm Monday – Friday, and all day Saturday & Sunday).
    • Underground parking is available in the Cathedral’s parking garage (for detailed information on rates and hours of operation please visit www.nationalcathedral.org ).
Entrance to St. Alban's Episcopal Church Campus
Entrance to Satterlee Hall
 
Part Rehearsals
There are usually three or four part rehearsals over the course of the concert season. They are normally scheduled on Saturday mornings as well as Sunday and Monday evenings, and the locations vary.
 
Orchestra Rehearsals
There are usually two rehearsals with the instrumental ensemble for each concert cycle and they normally take place in the performance space. However, this is subject to the availability of the players and the venue.  Every effort is made to schedule orchestra rehearsals on evenings and weekends, but some unavoidably fall during business hours on weekdays.
 
 
 
Expenses
 
Dues
There are no dues for singing members of Choral Arts.
 
Music
Chorus members are asked to purchase a portion of the music performed during the season, which is theirs to keep.  Additional music will be available on loan without charge from the publisher or the Choral Arts music library.  These titles must be returned in good condition after their use or a replacement fee may be charged.
 
Singers are also asked to purchase a large-format black choral folder, which is theirs to keep.
 
Performance Attire
Chorus members are asked to purchase the standard performance attire.
  • Sopranos & Altos:
    • Concert gown and jacket (available through the Choral Arts office)
    • Black shoes (with closed heels and toes) and skin-colored stockings or no stockings
  • Tenors & Basses:
    • Black tuxedo or suit
    • Black bow tie (red bow tie for Christmas concerts)
    • White dress shirt
    • Black socks and shoes
Choristers may make a need-based request for a waiver of charges for music and/or performance attire.