A season focusing on collaborations with regional arts organizations

American Masters: With the National Symphony Orchestra, Dr. Eugene Rogers conducts Carlos Simon/Dan Harder, Aaron Copland and Jessie Montgomery
A Candlelight Christmas: The holiday tradition returns for its 15th Anniversary
Stand the Storm: With National Philharmonic, featuring works by Leonard Bernstein, Nkeiru Okoy, and Rollo Dilworth
Beethoven’s Missa Solemnis: Guest appearance with the National Symphony Orchestra conducted by Gianandrea Noseda
Verdi’s Aida: Guest appearance with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra conducted by Jonathon Heyward

The Washington Chorus (TWC) — led by conductor and Artistic Director Dr. Eugene Rogers — announces its 2024-2025 season, with concerts exploring what it means to be an American and featuring guest appearances with the National Symphony Orchestra and Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, another collaboration with National Philharmonic, and the 15th anniversary of A Candlelight Christmas. For more information visit The Washington Chorus’ website.

Opening the season on September 14, 2024 is American Masters, a collaboration with the National Symphony Orchestra, featuring Grammy award-winning bass-baritone Morris Robinson, with Dr. Eugene Rogers on the podium. Making his National Symphony Orchestra conducting debut, Dr. Rogers will lead both the orchestra and chorus in the East Coast premiere of the oratorio Here I Stand by Kennedy Center Composer-in-Residence Carlos Simon and librettist Dan Harder, a co-commission with TWC and the NSO. The piece follows the life of activist, singer, and pro football player Paul Robeson, who was blacklisted during the Cold War. Additionally, the choir will perform Aaron Copland’s Suite from Billy the Kid and selections from his Old American Songs, as well as Jessie Montgomery’s Banner, a rhapsody on the theme of The Star-Spangled Banner. (September 14, 2024 at the Kennedy Center Concert Hall)

“This concert is gritty; I think it’s Americana in its rawest form and showing America’s beauty alongside its struggles, all while paying homage to those who have fought for change,” Dr. Rogers said. “Billy the Kid was a bit of a rebel, and some view Paul Robeson as someone who wasn’t afraid to shake things up when necessary and was sadly blacklisted from his country. Aaron Copeland was a big champion of Black singers and composed truly American music.”

Then celebrate the holiday season with the 15th Anniversary of A Candlelight Christmas. Led by Dr. Rogers, and featuring the National Capital Brass and Percussion, TWC’s side-by-side high school ensembles, and more, this annual and ever-popular tradition returns with interactive carols, holiday favorites, and special guests for the entire family. Alongside fan-favorites such as Glenn Rudolph’s “The Dream Isaiah Saw,” this year’s featured guest artist, pianist Suzzette Ortiz, is working alongside Dr. Diana Sáez (Director of Choral Activities at Towson) to arrange a new classic for TWC audiences, inspired by their shared Puerto Rican heritage. (December 14, 2024 at the Music Center at Strathmore and December 15, 21, and 22, 2024 at the Kennedy Center Concert Hall)

“I am thrilled that TWC has the opportunity to work with two Latinx, female artists.” Dr. Rogers said. “A Candlelight Christmas is about honoring the past, celebrating tradition, and ensuring there is something for everyone by including a diverse repertoire.”

In their next collaboration with National Philharmonic, Stand the Storm, TWC continues to bring American voices and struggles to life on stage. Featuring the music of composers who have stood through adversity and been a catalyst for change in their respective communities, this call for peace and unity includes Leonard Bernstein’s Chichester Psalms, performed alongside the world premiere symphonic orchestration of Rollo Dilworth’s Weather: Stand the Storm, and Nkeiru Okoye’s Invitation to a Die-In, written in response to the 2012 murder of Trayvon Martin. The program also features Dr. Rogers’ beloved arrangement of “Glory” (from Selma), and guests soloists Damian Norfleet and Monique Holmes-Spells. (March 15, 2025 at the Music Center at Strathmore)

“This concert is a call to action for us all to come together to promote peace and make change,” Dr. Rogers said. “Placing Bernstein’s work next to that of two Black composers allows us to explore some of America’s struggles both past and present.”

For its two remaining concerts of the season, The Washington Chorus joins the National Symphony Orchestra and the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra to perform some of classical music’s greatest works. First, Gianandrea Noseda conducts The Washington Chorus and the National Symphony Orchestra through what some consider Beethoven’s finest choral work: Missa Solemnis. The concert features guest soloists soprano Erika Grimaldi, mezzo-soprano Rihab Chaieb, tenor Saimir Pirgu, and bass-baritone Marko Mimica. This rarely performed symphonic masterpiece is perhaps Beethoven’s most mysterious work—a vast symphonic statement of mysticism, drama, and sacred intimacy. (May 15-17, 2025 at the Kennedy Center Concert Hall)

Closing the season is Verdi’s Aida conducted by the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra Music Director, Jonathon Heyward, who leads TWC for the first time. Performed in Italian by The Washington Chorus and soprano Angel Blue as Aida, this concert adaptation allows the beauty and drama of the original opera to soar on the symphonic stage. Blue appeared in Detroit Opera’s 2022 production of Aida, also conducted by Heyward, where OperaWire noted that her “voice perforated the hearts of her listeners and miraculously captured the tortured oscillations of Aida’s existence perfectly.” (June 13, 2025 at Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall and June 15, 2025 at the Music Center at Strathmore)

Announcing TWC's 2024-25 Season!