The Washington Chorus Announces 2021 “Candlelight Christmas” Guest Artists and Side by Side High School Choirs for seven Live Concerts
With a landmark run of seven live and in-person “Candlelight Christmas” concerts from December 16 to 23, 2021 ahead at The Kennedy Center Concert Hall and The Music Center at Strathmore, The Washington Chorus – led by Artistic Director Eugene Rogers – is thrilled to announce its extraordinary lineup of guest musical artists and Side by Side high school choirs for these treasured “Candlelight Christmas” holiday performances – the only Candlelight Christmas experience of its kind in the DC regional community.
Celebrating the spirit of joy and togetherness this holiday season with friends and family from the Washington, DC regional community and beyond, The Washington Chorus is grateful to be back live and onstage after nearly two years apart from its beloved audience due to the COVID-19 global health pandemic. Under the direction of acclaimed Artistic Director Eugene Rogers – who makes his live and in-person debut leading The Washington Chorus with this run of “Candlelight Christmas” concerts – the Chorus is proud to welcome the following guest artists for these performances:
Metropolitan Opera soprano Aundi Marie Moore (“a voice of clarion beauty,” The Washington Post), in her live TWC debut performances. After appearing with TWC as guest soloist for the award-winning short music film “Cantata for a More Hopeful Tomorrow” by Damien Geter and Bob Berg, Ms. Moore will appear as a guest soloist with TWC for these performances
Acclaimed organist Paul Byssainthe, Jr., returning as collaborative organist for “Candlelight Christmas”
National Capital Brass, a quintet of brass players comprised of members from the region’s top orchestras, including the National Symphony Orchestra, that always bring sparkle and shine to TWC’s “Candlelight Christmas” concerts
The TWC Handbell Ensemble, comprised of members of The Washington Chorus, offering beautiful handbell accompaniment and atmospheric sounds
And two extraordinary high school choirs from the DC regional community for The Washington Chorus’ annual Side by Side program, where talented high school singers have the chance to partner with, learn from, and collaborate as guest artist with The Washington Chorus and Artistic Director Eugene Rogers. Sponsored by KPMG, the 2021 Side by Side high school choirs are Duke Ellington School of the Arts Concert Choir (Reginald Golden, Director; DC Public Schools) for the Kennedy Center performances, and Reservoir High School Chamber Choir (Gregory Knauff, Director; Howard County Public Schools) for the Strathmore performances
“These 2021 Washington Chorus Candlelight Christmas guest artists represent some of the most accomplished musical talent in our region,” says Washington Chorus Executive Director Stephen Beaudoin. “We’re so glad to welcome MetOpera soprano Aundi Marie Moore to her live TWC debut with these performances, and look forward to welcoming back organist Paul Byssainthe, Jr., and the National Capital Brass. Additionally, thanks to the generous support of KPMG, we cannot wait to share the next generation of musical talent with our audience through our Side by Side performers this season: the Duke Ellington School of the Arts Concert Choir from DC Public Schools and the Reservoir High School Chamber Choir from Howard County Public Schools will blow you away with their talent and potential! We can’t wait to welcome you warmly back to your healthy and safe live and in-person Washington Chorus concert experience this December.”
Find out more about your healthy and safe Washington Chorus live and in-person concert experience.
Tickets for The Washington Chorus’ 2021 Candlelight Christmas concerts are on sale now: click here to purchase your tickets for the Kennedy Center performances (Sunday, Dec. 19, 7 pm; Tues, Dec. 21, 7 pm; Wed, Dec. 22, 3 pm; Wed, Dec. 22, 7:30 pm) and here to purchase your tickets for the Music Center at Strathmore performances (Thurs, Dec. 16, 8 pm; Fri, Dec. 17, 8 pm; Thurs, Dec. 23, 3 pm).
The Washington Chorus is excited to welcome you and yours to this one-of-a-kind musical tradition, featuring brass, bells, carols, and lots of high holiday cheer, featuring two time Grammy award winners, The Washington Chorus, in a 75-minute show with no intermission, maximally designed for your richly meaningful, safe, welcoming, and healthy live concert experience.