Genre

:

Choral

 

The Washington National Cathedral Choral Society is a renowned classical music ensemble based in Washington, D.C. Founded in 1941, the ensemble has a rich history of performing choral music of the highest caliber, and has become one of the most respected choral groups in the United States. The Washington National Cathedral Choral Society was founded by Paul Callaway, who served as the organist and choirmaster at the Washington National Cathedral from 1939 to 1978. Callaway was a highly respected musician and conductor, and he saw the need for a high-quality choral ensemble to perform at the cathedral. He founded the Choral Society with the goal of creating a group that would be able to perform the most challenging and complex choral works in the repertoire. The Choral Society's first performance was in December 1941, just days after the attack on Pearl Harbor. The group performed Handel's Messiah, and the performance was a great success. From that point on, the Choral Society became a fixture at the Washington National Cathedral, performing regularly at services and concerts. Over the years, the Choral Society has had many members, but some of the most notable include Robert Shafer, who served as the group's conductor from 1970 to 2016, and Michael McCarthy, who took over as conductor in 2016. The group has also had many talented singers, including many who have gone on to have successful careers in music. The Washington National Cathedral Choral Society has performed many notable works over the years, including Handel's Messiah, Bach's St. Matthew Passion, and Beethoven's Ninth Symphony. The group has also commissioned many new works, including pieces by composers such as John Rutter and Morten Lauridsen. One of the Choral Society's most notable performances was in 1963, when the group performed at the state funeral of President John F. Kennedy. The group performed Samuel Barber's Adagio for Strings, which was a favorite of the president's. The performance was broadcast on national television, and it was a moving tribute to the fallen president. The Choral Society has also performed at many other notable events over the years, including the inauguration of President Barack Obama in 2009. The group performed at the National Prayer Service, which was held at the Washington National Cathedral the day after the inauguration. The performance was broadcast on national television, and it was a powerful moment for the Choral Society and for the country as a whole. In addition to its performances, the Washington National Cathedral Choral Society has also received many awards and honors over the years. In 2000, the group was awarded the National Medal of Arts, which is the highest honor given to artists and arts organizations by the United States government. The Choral Society was recognized for its contributions to the cultural life of the country, and for its commitment to excellence in choral music. The Washington National Cathedral Choral Society has also received many other awards and honors over the years, including the ASCAP Award for Adventurous Programming, which the group has received multiple times. The Choral Society has also been recognized for its commitment to education, and it has a robust outreach program that brings music education to schools and communities throughout the Washington, D.C. area.

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