Washington Chorus Singer Mckenzie Sterner: “Please give to support The Washington Chorus’ positive impact in my life, and in the lives of many more people like me.”

Dear friend,

I remember my audition day for The Washington Chorus so clearly.

I was 17 and had heard about TWC through mutual friends. I was going into my senior year of high school, and although I came from a musical family, I had never sung with a group like TWC before. But I really wanted to grow as a musician. I wanted to challenge myself and learn.

I remember getting the acceptance email into the Junior Washington Chorus, and I was so excited. Then I started attending rehearsals, and - wow. I remember we met the Artistic Director at the time, and he said, “it’s nice to meet you, we’re doing the War Requiem, let’s dive in.” It was terrifying to jump in and sing, but everyone in the chorus was so friendly and welcoming.

Singing with TWC as a teenager was just a phenomenal experience that was totally unique. It was really amazing to see adults who have so much else going on in their lives, but who still took the time to come together and make this beautiful music. At that time, I was thinking ‘What do I want to do with the rest of my life? Do I want to teach, do I want to perform, or do I want to do something different?’ People in TWC helped me to understand that I could have both. I could work in a field outside of performance and still be a musician and make phenomenal music.

My first time performing with TWC on the Kennedy Center stage for the War Requiem was absolutely amazing. At the end of it, I was like: ‘I don’t know what that feeling was, but I want to keep having that feeling.’ I knew I wanted to keep doing this for a long, long time.

The experiences I had at TWC changed me, and I wanted to engage as many people as possible to have those experiences, too. I’m now teaching general and choral music at Oakridge Elementary, from Pre-K to grade five. Go Owls! It’s exhausting, but also very rewarding. If I can get a second grader who will not sing on the first day to eventually play games, sing, and experience the play and creativity in music that we all love and deserve, then that’s just amazing. Because that kid could be me.

I’m also so proud to be singing again as an adult member of The Washington Chorus. It just felt so joyful to come back to TWC, and I’m so glad I’m here. Thanks to TWC, I know that my voice matters. Music and art make change. Singing together is one of the most powerful, moving forces in the world. TWC has the potential to change a lot of people’s lives, just like it’s changed mine. That is powerful, and it’s something we should value.

This year you have an opportunity to make a big impact. Thanks to the generosity of a matching challenge from the Hand in Hand Fund and TWC member Tom Augustin, any new or increased support from now until December 31, 2019, up to $25,000, will be matched dollar for dollar. If you’re a first-time donor that gives $100 this year, then $100 will be matched, turning your gift to $200. If you’re a current or former donor that increases your support to TWC, then the amount of your increased support will also be matched, dollar for dollar.

I hope you will consider a gift of $100 this year, or whatever level is right for you, to support The Washington Chorus’ positive impact in my life, and in the lives of many more people like me.

Thank you for supporting The Washington Chorus, and I hope to see you at one of our upcoming concerts.

With gratitude,

McKenzie Sterner
Soprano 2, The Washington Chorus
Alumna, Junior Washington Chorus