National Cathedral Choir

National Cathedral Choir. The National Cathedral Choir is a renowned musical ensemble based at the Washington National Cathedral in Washington, D.C., performing with esteemed organizations like the National Symphony Orchestra and the United States Marine Band. The choir's rich history is intertwined with that of the cathedral, which was inspired by the Chartres Cathedral in France and designed by Henry Vaughan (architect) and Philip Hubert Frohman. The choir's performances often feature works by celebrated composers such as Johann Sebastian Bach, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, and George Frideric Handel, and have been conducted by notable figures like Leonard Bernstein and Robert Shaw (conductor).

History

The National Cathedral Choir was established in 1907, shortly after the construction of the Washington National Cathedral began, with the goal of providing music for the cathedral's services and events, similar to the Choir of King's College, Cambridge and the Chapel Royal. Over the years, the choir has undergone significant developments, with notable contributions from Washington National Cathedral's first organist and choirmaster, Leo Sowerby, who was also a renowned composer and Pulitzer Prize winner. The choir has performed at various historic events, including the funeral of President Dwight D. Eisenhower and the inauguration of President George H.W. Bush, and has collaborated with other prestigious choirs, such as the Choir of Westminster Abbey and the Berlin Cathedral Choir. The choir's history is also marked by its association with prominent musicians, including Marcel Dupré, Virgil Fox, and E. Power Biggs, who have all performed at the Washington National Cathedral.

Organization

The National Cathedral Choir is a professional ensemble comprising approximately 24 singers, including soprano, alto, tenor, and bass voices, similar to the BBC Singers and the Monteverdi Choir. The choir is directed by the Washington National Cathedral's Canon for Music, who is responsible for selecting repertoire, leading rehearsals, and conducting performances, often in collaboration with other notable conductors, such as Simon Rattle and Christoph Eschenbach. The choir's administrative tasks are managed by the cathedral's music department, which also oversees the Washington National Cathedral's organ program and other musical activities, including concerts and recitals featuring artists like Itzhak Perlman and Yo-Yo Ma. The choir's organization is also supported by the National Cathedral Association, which provides financial and logistical assistance for the choir's performances and tours, including appearances at the Kennedy Center and the Carnegie Hall.

Music_and_Repertory

The National Cathedral Choir's repertoire encompasses a wide range of musical styles and periods, from Gregorian chant and Renaissance polyphony to contemporary classical music and jazz, often featuring works by composers like Igor Stravinsky, Sergei Rachmaninoff, and Duke Ellington. The choir frequently performs choral music by celebrated composers such as William Byrd, Thomas Tallis, and Henry Purcell, as well as hymns and anthems by Charles Villiers Stanford and Ralph Vaughan Williams. The choir also commissions new works from living composers, including John Rutter, James MacMillan, and Arvo Pärt, and has premiered pieces by Morten Lauridsen and Eric Whitacre. The choir's music library includes a vast collection of scores and sheet music, featuring works by Johannes Brahms, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, and Gustav Mahler, among others.

Notable_Performances

The National Cathedral Choir has given numerous notable performances throughout its history, including appearances at the White House, the United States Capitol, and the Smithsonian Institution, often in collaboration with other esteemed ensembles, such as the New York Philharmonic and the Boston Symphony Orchestra. The choir has also toured extensively, both domestically and internationally, performing at renowned venues like the Royal Albert Hall in London, the Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris, and the St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City. The choir has participated in several high-profile events, including the funeral of President Ronald Reagan and the inauguration of President Barack Obama, and has performed with distinguished artists like Plácido Domingo and Renée Fleming. The choir's performances are often broadcast on radio and television, including National Public Radio and Public Broadcasting Service.

Personnel

The National Cathedral Choir is composed of professional singers from diverse backgrounds, many of whom have studied at prestigious institutions like the Juilliard School, the Curtis Institute of Music, and the Royal College of Music. The choir's members have performed with other notable ensembles, including the Metropolitan Opera, the San Francisco Opera, and the Los Angeles Philharmonic, and have worked with renowned conductors like James Levine and Michael Tilson Thomas. The choir's current Canon for Music is Michael McCarthy (organist), who has led the ensemble in performances of works by Olivier Messiaen, Francis Poulenc, and Samuel Barber, among others. The choir's assistant organist is Thomas Sheehan (organist), who has performed at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York City and the Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove, California.

Category:Choirs