- City Choir of Washington
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The City Choir of Washington Also known as TCCW,[1] City Choir Origin Washington, D.C., United States Genres Classical, Choral Occupations Choir Years active 2006-present Website Official website Members Artistic Director
Robert Shafer (conductor)The City Choir of Washington is a 140-member professional-level volunteer mixed choir composed of singers throughout the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. The chorus is led by its founding artistic director Robert Shafer,[2][3][4] Washington's Grammy award-winning conductor,[5] educator, composer and church musician. The organization was incorporated in the District of Columbia in October 2006 and held its first performance in November 2007 at Schlesinger Concert Hall in Alexandria, Virginia.
The City Choir has performed with the National Symphony Orchestra,[6][7] The Washington National Opera at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts,[8][9][10] and at Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts.[11][12]
Contents
Mission
The City Choir is "committed to nurturing the next generation of performers and audience members."[13]
Activities
During its first four seasons, the chorus presented several major works with orchestra, including the Monteverdi Marian Vespers of 1610, Bach’s Mass in B Minor,[14][15] Handel’s Dixit Dominus, Haydn’s Lord Nelson Mass and Mass in Time of War,[16] Maurice Duruflé's Requiem,[17] the Mozart Requiem, the Vivaldi Gloria, Robert Shafer’s Lux Aeterna and Joel Puckett’s[18] This Mourning.[16]
TCCW's Excellence in the Arts award honors contributions to the arts in the greater Washington, DC area.[19]
Community outreach and education
In February 2011, local businesses and chorus members sponsored tickets for Pentagon families affected by 9/11 and high school and college students as part of the organization’s community outreach efforts. TCCW’s artistic director and executive director often invite college-age music education students to attend rehearsals and participate in question and answer sessions following events.[20]
Programs
- City Singers[21][22] — TCCW's community outreach chamber choir that regularly performs for underserved segments of the community. The ensemble brings quality choral music — light classical, popular, secular, patriotic, show tunes, folk songs — to organizations and audiences who may not be able to attend its regular concerts.[23]
- Partners in Song[3][24] — a talented high school choral group joins TCCW for its annual Music for Christmas concert. The group performs several selections on its own and also joins the City Choir for part of the program.
- Young American Artists Program[13] — one or more emerging performers from the Washington metropolitan area are selected to be featured soloists in one of TCCW's concerts. The vocalists are selected through a comprehensive audition process for young singers from throughout the region. Each Young American Artist receives private coaching from Robert Shafer.
References
- ^ "Acronym for City Choir of Washington", AcronymGeek.com. Retrieved: September 2, 2011.
- ^ Tidyman, Kathryn, "Robert Shafer Named Artistic Director of New Chorus", U.S. Newswire, September 4, 2007.
- ^ a b Banno, Joe, City Choir of Washington at National Presbyterian Church, Washington Post, Arts & Living: Style section, Monday, December 13, 2010.
- ^ Stahmer, Ann, "Robert Shafer Receives Ovation Award from the Choralis Foundation", ChoralNet - American Choral Directors Association, July 27, 2011.
- ^ "Rock Legend Captures 10 Grammy Nods; Carlos Santana Picks Way to Top of Music Heap," Akron Beacon Journal (Ohio), January 5, 2000, pg. B8.
- ^ "Wolf Trap Stage Hosts Chris Isaak w/ Special Guest Martin Sexton, Tom Jones & More" Broadway World, Monday, July 13, 2009.
- ^ "National Symphony Orchestra: 2010-2011 Season", KennedyCenter.org, December 2010 (Pops Concert), Marvin Hamlisch, conductor. Retrieved: September 3, 2011.
- ^ Lipton, Brian Scott, "Patrick Cassidy, Rebecca Luker, and Shirley Jones to Star in Kennedy Center's Music Man Concert", TheaterMania.com, Jul 10, 2009.
- ^ Gans, Andrew, "Christiane Noll Will Join Marvin Hamlisch for Holiday Concerts at the Kennedy Center", Playbill.com, November 10, 2010.
- ^ Birch, Jeremy D., "Kennedy Center: Music By Moonlight", PlaybillArts, Features section, Jun 29, 2008.
- ^ Girdish, Jen, "Short Cuts: Lord of the Rings at Wolf Trap", On Tap Magazine, Out & About section, 2010. Retrieved: September 4, 2011.
- ^ Downey, Charles, "The King Returns at Wolf Trap", dcist, Arts and Events, September 11, 2010. See photo caption.
- ^ a b "CVC 2011 Charity Profile", Commonwealth of Virginia Campaign (CVC), Dept. of Human Resource Management, Richmond, VA. Retrieved: September 4, 2011.
- ^ Porter, Cecelia , "Dramatic Bach from City Choir of Washington", Washington Post, May 16, 2011. Retrieved: September 1, 2011.
- ^ "City Choir of DC/ Bach Requiem", Washington Post, Entertainment section, Thursday, 19 May 2011. Retrieved: September 1, 2011.
- ^ a b Porter, Cecelia H., "From City Choir of Washington, triumph out of tragedy", Washington Post, Music Review, Tuesday, March 1, 2011. Retrieved: September 1, 2011.
- ^ Downey, Charles T., "Music review: Robert Shafer and City Choir at Cathedral of St. Thomas More", Washington Post, March 16, 2010.
- ^ "Concerts: Choral Groups", Washington Post, Going Out Guide (D.C.-area nightlife, events and dining), February 24, 2011. Retrieved: September 2, 2011.
- ^ "Excellence in the Arts awarded to Murry Sidlin", Catholic University of America: Benjamin T. Rome School of Music, Sunday, January 30, 2011.
- ^ Shulman, Randy, "The City Choir of Washington", Metro Weekly, Spotlight: The Arts, February 25, 2011. Excerpt: "Robert Shafer conducts the choir in a concert tribute to 9/11 on its 10th anniversary year."
- ^ Fairfax County community events, April 22 to 29, 2010, Washington Post: The Breaking News Blog, Apr 22, 2010.
- ^ McNabb, Lu Ann Maciulla, "Attend Concert, Support Memorial Funds", Virginia Connection Newspapers, Apr 15, 2010.
- ^ "2010 Annual Report", Christ House, Washington, D.C. Excerpt — 2010 Activities Program: "...supported our Cultural Activities Program with tickets or performances..."
- ^ "City Choir of Washington presents Music for Christmas 2011", Washington Post, Going Out Guide. Retrieved: September 3, 2011.
External links
- Official Web Site
- Daybook: Event Calendar
Categories:- American choirs
- Music of Washington, D.C.
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