2020/2021

On February 28, 2010, the Washington Master Chorale stepped onto the risers at the National Presbyterian Church for the first time and presented a program of 20th-century choral works based on themes of transition and transformation. As we embarked on our 10th season, we note with pride that we have remained true to our mission: to advance American choral excellence through vocal artistry, contribute to the choral canon through the commissioning of leading composers, and present choral works in the context of their culture and time. Our 2019/20 season featured the hallmarks of what has made us one of Washington's premier ensembles: a generous mix of pieces the Chorale has made its own by masters of the choral form including Samuel Barber, Moses Hogan, Alice Parker, and Ralph Vaughan Williams, rediscovered repertoire, and new works by Henry Dehlinger, and David Conte that are destined to become choral classics.

THE PROMISE
OF LIVING

October 27, 2019
The Church of the Epiphany
Washington, D.C.

The Washington Master Chorale opened its 10th season as a performing ensemble with a rich program of American vocal music. Joined by guest vocalists Marlissa Hudson and Kevin Johnson and keyboard artist Jonathan King, the concert featured African American spirituals, choral art songs, and well-crafted arrangements of early folk songs and hymns, including works by Samuel Barber, H.T. Burleigh, Aaron Copland, William Dawson, Moses Hogan, Alice Parker, Stephen Paulus, Kevin Siegfried, and more. A highlight of the concert was the world premiere of a new choral cycle by composer Henry Dehlinger based on the poetry of James Joyce. Chorale favorites Laura Choi Stuart, Spencer Adamson, And Zsolt Balogh are also featured soloists on the program. A pre-concert discussion on African American spirituals in the classical repertoire featured Dr. Lourin Plant, professor of vocal music at Rowan University and Stanley J. Thurston, founding director of the Heritage Signature Chorale. Maestro Colohan moderated the program. Photo by Diane Kresh.

CHRISTMAS WITH
THE CHORALE

December 22, 2019
The Church of the Epiphany
Washington, D.C.

Our December program reprised our favorite songs of the season, time-burnished gems sure to put you in the holiday spirit. The concert rang out the old, rang in the new, closing with a contemplative candlelight rendering of Silent Night. Trumpets, merry organ, high spirits, and bright voices - yours and ours - all joined as one for a delightful and joyful afternoon. Photo by Diane Kresh.

POETRY
INTO SONG

April 19, 2020
The Church of the Epiphany
Washington, D.C.

Postponed due to COVID-19 - to be rescheduled. The conclusion of our 10th season was to end with a landmark event, the world premiere of The Unknown Sea, by renowned composer David Conte. Featuring mezzo-soprano Lena Seikaly, SATB chorus, piano, and chamber orchestra, the piece is based on the texts of preeminent American poet Elizabeth Bishop, of the most celebrated poets of the 20th century. A "poet's poet," she was the Consultant in Poetry to the Library of Congress (a position now known as the nation's Poet Laureate), a Pulitzer Prize and National Book Award winner, and a gifted teacher. Conte will attend the premiere and participate in a pre-concert conversation led by former Poet Laureate of California, Dana Gioia. Gioia was both a student of Bishop and the moderator at the Chorale's inaugural concert in February, 2010. The Unknown Sea will be paired with Ralph Vaughan Williams's masterful cantata, Dona Nobis Pacem, based on Walt Whitman's poems and texts from the Bible, re-orchestrated by British composer and conductor Jonathan Rathbone. Photo: Elizabeth Bishop, Brazil 1954. Archives & Special Collections, Vassar College Library (Reference #3.454).

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