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Celebrate the Mexican holiday, el día de los muertos, the day of the dead, with a concert dedicated to music by Mexican composers, conducted by NOW’s Artistic Director, Alejandro Hernandez-Valdez, a native of Guadalajara, Mexico. This celebratory and festive program includes the world premiere of Cantos de Requiem by Jorge Vidales, co-commissioned by the New Orchestra of Washington and the Choral Arts Society of Washington.

On Día de los Muertos, observed at the beginning of November, families celebrate and honor their relatives who have passed on. They build a special altar, an ofrenda, decorated with marigolds to encourage the spirits of the dead to return. Families share meals together, attend celebrations and parades in town, and visit the gravesites of their departed loved ones.

Through this concert, NOW and Choral Arts celebrate the circle of life and the rich culture of Mexico.

THE PROGRAM:

Jose Pablo Moncayo: Huapango
Jorge Vidales: Cantos de Requiem, World Premiere
Commissioned by the New Orchestra of Washington and the Choral Arts Society of Washington
Silvestre Revuelta: Redes, Original Concert Version
Arturo Márquez: De Sol a Sol
Márquez: Danzón No. 2

FEATURED ARTISTS:

New Orchestra of Washington
Alejandro Hernandez-Valdez, conductor
Choral Arts Chamber Singers, Dr. Jace Kaholokula Saplan, Artistic Director

ALL attendees, regardless of age, must have a ticket including children who will sit in a lap.

By purchasing tickets, you accept the risk of attending a live performance.

To learn more about supporting our season journey, email JoinUs@ChoralArts.org.

The Choral Arts society of Washington gratefully acknowledges its season sponsors:

All programs, artists, dates, times, and content are subject to change.

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What if our departed loved ones are not truly gone, but are closer than we think? How can we mourn those we have lost while still moving forward? We have all experienced the loss, in one way or another, of someone or something we have loved deeply. How do we know when it’s time to move forward?

The most recent collaboration between Eric Whitacre and poet/lyricist Charles Anthony Silvestri, The Sacred Veil tells an intimate story of life, love and loss. Silvestri’s wife, Julie, died of ovarian cancer at age 36 in 2005, leaving two young children. Including texts from Silvestri, Whitacre, and Julie herself, the intimate, compelling score tells a story of courtship, love, loss, and the search for solace. Although inspired by this extraordinary and moving friendship, the piece does not mention Julie by name and shares a very human journey –one that so many of us can relate to.

THE PROGRAM:

Eric Whitacre: The Sacred Veil
1. The Veil Opens
2. In a Dark and Distant Year
3. Home
4. Magnetic Poetry
5. Whenever There Is Birth
6. I’m Afraid
7. I Am Here
8. Delicious Times
9. One Last Breath
10. Dear Friends
11. You Rise, I Fall
12. Child of Wonder

FEATURED ARTISTS:

Dr. Jace Kaholokula Saplan, conductor
Chamber Singers

PERFORMANCE TIMING:

60 minutes, no intermission.

The Choral Arts Society of Washington gratefully acknowledges its season sponsors:

To learn more about supporting our season journey, email JoinUs@ChoralArts.org.

ALL attendees, regardless of age, must have a ticket including children who will sit in a lap. By purchasing tickets, you accept the risk of attending a live performance. All programs, artists, dates, times, and content are subject to change.

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The long-running, ever-popular tribute to the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. returns to the Kennedy Center as the combined choirs of Washington Performing Arts Gospel Choirs and Choral Arts celebrate the power of music, collaboration, and the human spirit. The program transcends race, age, and gender to unite all who honor Dr. King’s ideals with songs that unite our spirits.

Choral Arts will present the 2023 Humanitarian Award to an individual who shows incredible leadership through their dedication to the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Recent recipients include LaTosha Brown (2022) and Sherrilyn Ifill (2020).

Click here to learn more about the Annual Choral Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and hear speeches by past Humanitarian Award Recipients.

FEATURED ARTISTS:

Ralph Alan Herndon, soloist

Washington Performing Arts Men, Women, and Children of the Gospel
Michele Fowlin, Artistic Director
Theodore Thorpe III, Artistic Director

The Choral Arts Society of Washington
Dr. Jace Kaholokula Saplan, Artistic Director

PERFORMANCE TIMING:

90 minutes, no intermission

The Choral Arts Society of Washington gratefully acknowledges its season sponsors:

To learn more about supporting our season journey, email JoinUs@ChoralArts.org.

ALL attendees, regardless of age, must have a ticket including children who will sit in a lap. By purchasing tickets, you accept the risk of attending a live performance. All programs, artists, dates, times, and content are subject to change.

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Explore the beauty that flourishes when we reject preconceived notions. Artistic Director Jace Saplan has chosen three works that illuminate how we navigate the inner workings of being present (DiOrio’s Solaris), the importance of self-determination and tenacious hope (Price’s Song of Hope), and what is possible when we choose ourselves and our authenticity, regardless of societal pressure (Haydn’s Lord Nelson Mass).

THE PROGRAM:

Dominick DiOrio: Solaris
Florence Price: Song of Hope
Joseph Haydn: Missa in Angustiis (Mass for Troubled Times) “Lord Nelson Mass”

FEATURED ARTISTS:

Dr. Jace Kaholokula Saplan, conductor
Symphonic Chorus
Choral Arts Orchestra

PERFORMANCE TIMING:

First Half: 45 minutes | Intermission: 15 minutes | Second Half: 45 minutes

The Choral Arts Society of Washington gratefully acknowledges its season sponsors:

To learn more about supporting our season journey, email JoinUs@ChoralArts.org.

ALL attendees, regardless of age, must have a ticket including children who will sit in a lap. By purchasing tickets, you accept the risk of attending a live performance. All programs, artists, dates, times, and content are subject to change.

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From vibrant neighborhoods and peaceful parks to enlightening museums and lasting monuments to our Nation’s history, Washington, DC is brimming with harmony and life. O! What a Beautiful City is a tribute of gratitude to the community that we have called home since our founding in 1965.

In this program, we honor composers, their works, and pieces with ties to the DC metro area including Pulitzer Prize winner George Walker, Duke Ellington, B.E. Boykin, and Ysaÿe Barnwell. Join us as we show our love for DC through song.

FEATURED ARTISTS:

Dr. Jace Kaholokula Saplan, conductor
Symphonic Chorus

The Choral Arts Society of Washington gratefully acknowledges its season sponsors:

To learn more about supporting our season journey, email JoinUs@ChoralArts.org. 

ALL attendees, regardless of age, must have a ticket including children who will sit in a lap. By purchasing tickets, you accept the risk of attending a live performance. All programs, artists, dates, times, and content are subject to change. 

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Embrace the magic of the Christmas season from the sheer excitement of a morning in community with one another to the snowy lilts of a lullaby. The radiant voices of the Chorus accompanied by the lush sound of a full orchestra and bass-baritone soloist Carl DuPont capture the serene and the joyous with the season’s vibrant treasure-trove of winter carols and Christmas classics at the Kennedy Center. 

THE PROGRAM:

The music for this concert will be announced this fall.

FEATURED ARTISTS:

Dr. Jace Kaholokula Saplan, conductor
Brandon Straub, conductor
Carl DuPont, bass-baritone
Choral Arts Symphonic Chorus
Choral Arts Youth Choir
Choral Arts Orchestra

PERFORMANCE TIMING:

90 minutes, no intermission

The Choral Arts Society of Washington gratefully acknowledges its season sponsors:

To learn more about supporting our season journey, email JoinUs@ChoralArts.org.

ALL attendees, regardless of age, must have a ticket including children who will sit in a lap. By purchasing tickets, you accept the risk of attending a live performance. All programs, artists, dates, times, and content are subject to change.

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Bring the kids for an unforgettable holiday experience as the Choral Arts Chorus fills the concert hall with holiday classics just for them! We’ll take you on a merry tour of Christmas favorites that will have your family singing all the way home. Expect a visit from Santa, Frosty, and Rudolph! This one-hour concert is perfect for children ages 5 and up. 

THE PROGRAM:

The music for this concert will be announced in the fall.

FEATURED ARTISTS:

Dr. Jace Kaholokula Saplan, conductor
Brandon Straub, accompanist
Carl DuPont, soloist
Choral Arts Symphonic Chorus
Choral Arts Brass Ensemble
…and special guests Santa, Frosty, and Rudolph! 

PERFORMANCE TIMING:

60 minutes, no intermission

The Choral Arts Society of Washington gratefully acknowledges its season sponsors:

To learn more about supporting our season journey, email JoinUs@ChoralArts.org.

ALL attendees, regardless of age, must have a ticket including children who will sit in a lap. By purchasing tickets, you accept the risk of attending a live performance.

All programs, artists, dates, times, and content are subject to change. 

BACK TO EXPERIENCES

All programs, artists, dates, times, and content are subject to change.

BACK TO EXPERIENCES

O! What a Beautiful City

Wondrous Music Rooted in DC

Saturday, November 19, 2022 | 7:00 pm
Washington National Cathedral

Symphonic Chorus

This program is a tribute of gratitude for the DC Community. We honor composers, their works, and pieces with significant ties to the DC metro area. Join us as we love on our city through song

O Night Divine!

Christmas Music with Choral Arts

Monday, December 19, 2022 | 7:00 pm
Saturday, December 24, 2022 | 2:00 pm
Kennedy Center Concert Hall

Symphonic Chorus, Dr. Jace Kaholokula Saplan, conductor
Youth Choir, Brandon Straub, conductor
Choral Arts Orchestra

Embrace the magic of the Christmas season from the sheer excitement of a morning in community with one another to the snowy lilts of a lullaby. The radiant voices of the Chorus return to the Kennedy Center accompanied by the lush sound of a full orchestra. Capture the serene and the joyous with the season’s vibrant treasure-trove of winter carols and Christmas classics.

A Family Christmas

For the Young and Young at Heart (Ages 5 and up)

Saturday, December 24, 2022 | 11:00 am
Kennedy Center Concert Hall

with special guests Santa, Frosty, and Rudolph
Symphonic Chorus
Choral Arts Brass

Bring the kids for an unforgettable holiday experience as the Choral Arts Chorus fills the concert hall with holiday classics just for them! We’ll take you on a merry tour of Christmas favorites that will have your family singing all the way home. Expect a visit from Santa, Frosty, and Rudolph! This one-hour concert is perfect for children ages 5 and up.

Living the Dream…Singing the Dream

35th Annual Choral Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Sunday, February 5, 2023 | 7:00 pm
Kennedy Center Concert Hall

Washington Performing Arts Men, Women, and Children of the Gospel
Michele Fowlin, Artistic Director
Theodore Thorpe III, Artistic Director

The Choral Arts Society of Washington
Dr. Jace Kaholokula Saplan, Artistic Director

The long-running, ever-popular tribute to the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. returns to the Kennedy Center as the combined choirs of Washington Performing Arts Gospel Choirs and Choral Arts celebrate the power of music, collaboration, and the human spirit. The program transcends race, age, and gender to unite all who honor his ideals with songs that unite our spirits.

Whitacre’s The Sacred Veil

Saturday, May 6, 2023 | 4:00 pm & 8:00 pm
Live! at 10th & G

Chamber Singers

The most recent collaboration between Eric Whitacre and poet/lyricist Charles Anthony Silvestri, The Sacred Veil tells an intimate story of life, love and loss.

Boldly Becoming

Haydn’s Mass for Troubled Times | Price’s Song of Hope | DiOrio’s Solaris

Sunday, June 11, 2023 | 5:00 pm
Kennedy Center Concert Hall

Symphonic Chorus
Choral Arts Orchestra

THE PROGRAM:
Joseph Haydn: Missa in angustiis (Mass for Troubled Times/Lord Nelson Mass)
Florence Price: Song of Hope
Dominick DiOrio: Solaris

Explore the beauty that flourishes when we reject preconceived notions. These three works illuminate how we navigate the inner workings of being present, the importance of self-determination and tenacious hope, and what is possible when we choose ourselves and our authenticity, regardless of societal pressure.

All performances are conducted by Artistic Director Dr. Jace Kaholokula Saplan unless otherwise indicated.

ALL attendees, regardless of age, must have a ticket including children who will sit in a lap.

By purchasing tickets, you accept the risk of attending a live performance.

To learn more about supporting our season journey, email JoinUs@ChoralArts.org.

All programs, artists, dates, times, prices, and content are subject to change.