OUR CHORUSES
Our family of choruses includes a large, auditioned adult chorus, an a cappella chamber ensemble, the NorthEast Senior Singers, and American Youth Chorus.
CONGRESSIONAL CHORUS
“The Congressional Chorus: a Washington treasure.”
Congressional Chorus is the only chorus in the metropolitan DC area that focuses on singing an eclectic variety of American music, including world premiere commissioned works, 21st century "new music," blues, jazz, contemporary classical, folksongs, rock, spirituals, Broadway hits, and popular standards. Singers come from all professions and live in DC.
This Chorus focuses on artistic excellence, multi-disciplinary programming, innovative collaborations, and audience cultivation, whether presenting Broadway highlights by Sondheim or introducing new 21st century works by American composers. In addition to its annual public performances, the chorus has performed at the White House, the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Harman Center for the Arts, Atlas Performing Arts Center, the Library of Congress, National Building Museum, National Archives, Washington Nationals’ Ballpark, the U.S. Department of State, and the U.S. Capitol, including two Presidential inaugurations.
CHAMBER ENSEMBLE
The Congressional Chorus Chamber Ensemble performs advanced repertoire from a wide variety of styles. The ensemble performs at Congressional Chorus main stage productions and rehearses on Mondays after full chorus rehearsals.
NORTHEAST SENIOR SINGERS
Join our NorthEast Senior Singers
Are you a senior living in the DC area looking to sing with an informal group of other seniors? Then join the NorthEast Senior Singers! No audition necessary. The program is open and free to all seniors.
The NorthEast Senior Singers (NESS) is a musical outlet for Washington's senior citizens, and part of our Congressional Chorus family of choruses. NESS is one of the only programs in the District that provides musical opportunities specifically for the elderly with a focus on providing older residents with performance-centered experiences alongside a community of younger singers. NESS singers are provided with free transportation to and from all Congressional Chorus concerts.
NESS was featured in a PBS documentary about "Arts and Aging," and stands as an example of how music can foster creative vitality in senior citizens. Studies have shown that singing can have many health benefits for seniors, including strengthened memory, enhanced, healing, improved immune system, expanded lung capacity, increased cognition, and more.
NESS meets in person every Wednesday from 1:30 pm to 2:45 pm, September-May. Rehearsals are held at Fortitude at Delta Towers at 808 Bladensburg Road, NE, Washington, DC 20002.
AMERICAN YOUTH CHORUS
American Youth Chorus (AYC) provides music education, performance experience, and community for Washington, DC-area children in grades three to eight. Artistic Director Jonathon Hampton teaches music theory and history, reading and writing of diverse music of all genres, centered on U.S. composers spanning centuries. AYC was founded in 2008 as part of a multigenerational family of choruses who they sing with and learn from—NorthEast Senior Singers and parent organization Congressional Chorus. Performance highlights include The White House, The Kennedy Center, The National Archives Museum, Library of Congress, and the U.S. Department of State. Annual concert trips and retreats give students broad opportunities to showcase their artistic skills and develop teamwork, independence, confidence, and artistry, in addition to meeting and experiencing performances of professional caliber musicians. Several year-round AYC performances give back to DMV-area audiences at community venues and civic and community events, including art galleries, sports stadiums, libraries, elderly care facilities, cathedrals, concert halls, and beyond! AmericanYouthChorus.org