The Washington Chorus Announced As Musical Collaborator for Biden-Harris Inauguration’s “Parade Across America”

Joining in a virtual performance alongside Earth, Wind, and Fire, The Trans Chorus of Los Angeles, The Triumph Baptist Church Choir and many more in a “Pass the Mic with DJ Cassidy” segment, The Washington Chorus joins their voices in this historic moment of hope, celebrating the inauguration of President-elect Joseph Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris

For an historic event celebrating the inauguration of President-elect Joseph R. Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris, The Washington Chorus is honored to announce it is one of many acclaimed musical collaborators featured in the virtual “Parade Across America,” broadcast globally on television and online on Wednesday, January 20, 2021.

The segment on which a group of Washington Chorus singers are featured is “DJ Cassidy’s Pass the Mic,” featuring singers from across the country in a hopeful performance centering a message of unity and love. Ten members of the 160-voice Washington Chorus will be featured in this segment alongside singers from other leading musical ensembles across the country, including the Trans Chorus of Los Angeles, the Triumph Baptist Church Choir, and the legendary band Earth, Wind, and Fire. The segment will air during the Wednesday, January 20 “Parade Across America” event, between 3:15 pm and 5:00 pm Eastern time.

“It is truly an honor for members of The Washington Chorus to take part in this historic moment in our country,” says TWC Artistic Director, Dr. Eugene Rogers. “In concert with the core values we strive to honor within the TWC community, I believe the new Biden-Harris administration will champion the principles of diversity, equity, access, and inclusion. As citizen artists, we hope our contribution in this celebration will help to usher in a spirit of peace, healing, and unity for our nation in the days ahead.”

Celebrating its 60th anniversary season, The Washington Chorus – the DC region’s only two-time Grammy award winning choral ensemble – has a long and storied history performing for major international occasions. Previously, The Washington Chorus performed for major visits by Pope Francis and Pope John Paul II, and at significant civic events in Washington, DC, including the 1985 “Concert for America” at The Kennedy Center, attended by President Ronald Reagan. Additionally, the Chorus has given command performances for The Kennedy Center Honors (most recently in 2018 to honor composer Philip Glass), at the White House for President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama (in 2013 and 2014), and as a guest collaborator with The Rolling Stones as part of their 50th anniversary tour.

 “The Washington Chorus is absolutely humbled and honored to participate in the Biden-Harris inauguration ‘Parade Across America,’” says TWC Board Chair Kara Morrissey. “Singing together and for our country at this pivotal time of change completely aligns with our values of community, inclusion, collaboration, innovation, and excellence. We hold hope for a future that accepts, honors, and shows love to all of America’s voices, and are grateful to have this opportunity to share our voices with the world at this historic moment.”

The ten singers of The Washington Chorus who recorded for the “DJ Cassidy’s Pass the Mic” segment broadcast on the Biden-Harris inauguration “Parade Across America” January 20, 2021, are Raquel Perez Arroyo, Rebekah Lowery Bridges, Latricia Brown, James Leathers, Leslie Lewis, Marco Santos, Elizabeth Solem, Alexis Stark, Dave Steadman, and Sam Zhao.

“There is no better time than today to reaffirm our commitments to liberty, truth, and justice for all,” says TWC Executive Director Stephen Beaudoin. “Sadly these commitments continue to be tested, especially in light of the horrific domestic terrorist attack on our nation’s Capitol. But The Washington Chorus remains resolute in our mission and stands strong in our core values. Bringing our voices to the Biden-Harris inauguration event in this way is another way we hope to build a better, more connected, and more caring world through the unique power of singing together.”

Additionally on the eve of this historic inauguration, The Washington Chorus offers hearty congratulations to US Senator-elect Jon Ossoff on his election: Ossoff is an alum of The Washington Chorus, having sung in the Chorus Bass 2 section during the 2011-12 season.

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