The Washington Chorus

The Washington Chorus (TWC) is one of the foremost symphonic choruses in the nation since its founding in 1961. Noted for the superb artistry of its performances and recordings of the entire range of the choral repertoire, TWC is widely recognized as a cultural leader in the nation’s capital.

A three-time nominated and two-time Grammy Award winner, The Washington Chorus became the first major symphonic chorus in the United States to be led by a Black artistic director when Dr. Eugene Rogers became artistic director in 2020. The 180-voice ensemble presents an annual series at The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and is regularly invited to make guest appearances with the National Symphony Orchestra, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, National Philharmonic, Sphinx Symphony Orchestra, and others at venues such as The Music Center at Strathmore and Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts. TWC is proud to have sung with the NSO in more than 300 performances, under the direction of many of the world’s greatest conductors, including Gianandrea Noseda, Christoph Eschenbach, Leonard Slatkin, Mstislav Rostropovich, Rafael Frühbeck de Burgos, Seiji Ozawa, Sir Neville Marriner, Kent Nagano, Marin Alsop, Gustavo Dudamel, Sir Andrew Davis, and many others.

TWC was originally founded in 1961 by Hugh Hayward, a medical doctor and classically trained musician, who created the Oratorio Society of Montgomery County, which became known as the Oratorio Society of Washington, and then The Washington Chorus! In 1971, Robert Shafer succeeded Hayward as music director, leading the chorus for more than three decades with great distinction, including two Grammy Awards. From 2008–2017 Julian Wachner led the organization with education and innovation at the forefront of his programs. Christopher Bell brought unparalleled attention to precision and clarity to the ensemble with his trademark flair during his tenure as Artistic Director from 2017 to 2020. The Chorus' fifth Artistic Director Dr. Eugene Rogers is widely regarded as one of the most acclaimed next-generation conductors and musical thought leaders today working at the intersection of classical music and social change.

The Washington Chorus has received the Chorus America Margaret Hillis Award for Choral Excellence and the ASCAP Alice Parker Award, which recognizes a chorus programming significant, recently-composed music that expands the mission of the chorus and challenges audiences in new ways. Other awards include the 2000 Grammy Award for Best Choral Performance for the live-performance recording of Benjamin Britten’s War Requiem and a 1996 Grammy Award for John Corigliano’s Of Rage and Remembrance with the National Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Leonard Slatkin.

TWC has sung for numerous prestigious events throughout its history— inaugurations, papal visits, with the Rolling Stones during their 50th anniversary tour, and at the White House in 2013 and 2014 for the President and First Lady.