Thirty seasons, and more to come.
In 2022-2023, the Capitol Hill Chorale will celebrate 30 seasons of concerts in the shadow of the US Capitol and its 23rd season under the baton of Artistic Director Frederick Binkholder. The Chorale regularly performs three diverse concerts a season, in December, March, and June.
Meet our Artistic Director and Accompanist.
Founded by longtime Capitol Hill resident Parker Jayne, the Chorale is a 100-member ensemble attracting singers from Capitol Hill and the entire metropolitan area. It is characterized by camaraderie, community spirit, and commitment to musical excellence.
Since its first program on Friday, December 11th, 1993 at the Capitol Hill Presbyterian Church, the Chorale has sung more than 60 programs, covering a wide repertoire from the Bach St. John Passion, the Brahms Requiem, and other major works in the classical choral canon to works by early music masters, contemporary composers, and other genres of choral literature. The Chorale also has a strong tradition of performing major works of the Orthodox liturgy, including works by Paliashvili, Rachmaninoff, and Tchaikovsky. The Chorale has also expressed its lighter side with the sell-out Jazzy Christmas program in 2011, in its third collaboration with the David Jellema Quartet. Other collaborators include the Capital City Symphony, Jacqueline Horner-Kwiatek of Anonymous 4, and composer Kevin Siegfried.
For many years an affiliate of the Capitol Hill Arts Workshop, the Chorale is now an independent 501c(3) organization. However, the Chorale remains committed to maintaining strong ties with the Capitol Hill business and residential community, performing a broad range of choral literature at the highest possible level, and maintaining a strong connection among current and former singers.
Join the Capitol Hill Chorale for all three wonderful concerts this season, or better still, join us as a singer!
The Capitol Hill Chorale strives for a professionalism that gratifies long-time members and attracts new ones. “I wanted to challenge myself musically,” said tenor Jim Travis, who lives on Capitol Hill. Like many members, Jim has an extensive musical background, having performed with orchestras and choruses since junior high school. Alto Marian Connally has been with the group for more than ten years. The retired Forest Service officer likes the chorale’s diverse repertoire and the “challenge to improve vocal performance and learn new music.”
At the same time, the Chorale is a close-knit community. “There is a sense of family among the members,” says soprano Susan Turk. “We all work hard together toward a common goal, and as a result of practicing and performing together a bond is formed.” Of Ginny Gano, long-time administrative director for the Chorale, bass Frederick Young says “Ginny’s den-mothering is a big part of creating the sense of community that I (and others) find so attractive about singing with this group.”
Members audition to join the Chorale. Rehearsals are 7:30 to 10:00 p.m., Tuesday nights during the season, at the Church of the Reformation, 212 East Capitol Street, N.E., across the street from the Folger Shakespeare Library. The Chorale performs three concerts a year, in December, March, and June, at one of the Capitol Hill churches.
Members of the Chorale pay an annual membership fee and the cost of their music, and help by selling tickets for each concert. Friends and family make up a large portion of Capitol Hill Chorale audiences. Many members also make tax-deductible donations to the chorale and contribute their time and expertise by serving on the Chorale’s governing committee or participating in fund-raising activities, such as the annual spaghetti supper. The Chorale is working to build an endowment fund (for commissioning works and hiring musicians) and welcomes contributions from business and corporate sponsors, private citizens, and funding agencies and foundations.
In addition to these events, the Chorale has performed as a whole or in smaller groups at community festivals, benefit concerts, sporting events, and mass choral events. Learn more about booking the Chorale.
Experience the joy of singing! Join the Capitol Hill Chorale for all three wonderful concerts in this year’s season, or better still become a member of the Chorale and sing along with us.
The Capitol Hill Chorale is very proud to be a part of
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