ABOUT US
WDC – The Choir as Diverse, Dynamic, and Resilient as Our City
The Washington Douglass Chorale brings together singers from every walk of life to create music that is as diverse, dynamic, and resilient as our city itself. Through the power of choral music, we honor the traditions, stories, and innovations that shape DC, building a community where every voice belongs.
The Washington Douglass Chorale embodies this spirit: a place where contrasts meet, where diverse voices blend, and where resilience transforms difference into song. In every performance, we carry forward a vision of a community strengthened by inclusion, inspiration, and shared purpose, just as Washington, Douglass, and our city itself continue to inspire.
Mission Statement
To embrace and master the full spectrum of choral works, including traditional European and American masterworks, American spiritual music, neglected masterworks by Black Composers, and contemporary works by living composers; while fostering a love and awareness of this choral repertoire in the next generation of choral musicians.
Vision Statement
A mixed choral organization of volunteer and professional singers that reflects the racial diversity of the Washington, DC region, including the composition of its artistic leadership and organizational governance, providing a choral space for diversity and community through innovative, meaningful and creative programming.
Founding Story
In 2019, Damien Geter completed a work called “An African-American Requiem” on a commission from the Resonance Ensemble in Oregon. Thanks to the pandemic, its premiere was delayed, and in the interim, Scott Tucker was approached about the possibility of performing the work at the Kennedy Center. Scott brought the idea to Nolan and the friends decided to collaborate on the endeavor. They wanted to organize a largely African-American orchestra and a very diverse choir that included many singers from the Washington region. Nolan took on the responsibility of identifying and bringing on board the orchestra and the balance of what would become an extremely diverse and extremely talented choir. For that concert, which eventually took place at the Kennedy Center on May 23, 2022, Nolan conducted a collection of his works, while Scott conducted the Geter “An African-American Requiem.” The Washington Post headline said, “‘An African-American Requiem’ turns national grief into powerful music.”
The experience of this genre mixing choral music and an extremely diverse choir, gave Scott and Nolan the idea to try to form a permanent organization that would continue to promote this mission. Thus was born the idea of the Washington Douglass Chorale.
Greetings from Mayor Bowser
At our inaugural concert, “Noel! A Glorious Mystery” on December 3, 2023, we were honored to receive a letter of congratulations from Washington, DC Mayor Muriel Bowser.
We are inspired by her support and by the outpouring of love we felt from the community that day.