Congratulations s to Buffy Nicolas, the winner of our Guitar Raffle - a fundraiser for the Washington International Chorus. Thank you to everyone who participated – We exceeded our fundraising goal of $2000.00 and could not have done it without your help!!
The Washington International Chorus invites new singers to join us. We sing for the love of singing. We sing classical music from other countries in original languages as a contribution to cultural diplomacy. We also invite people to submit suggestions of choral music from their own countries for us to learn.
For our next event, we will be the strolling singers for the Middleburg Virginia Christmas parade and festival on December 5th. We will be singing carols in a range of languages. Come and sing your favorite selections.
The Washington International Chorus exists for the sheer enjoyment of music.Singers are committed to performing music that is representative of various countries by tapping into the vast potential of cultural diversity in the Washington DC metropolitan and surrounding areas. The Washington International Chorus believes that choral music is particularly suitable for demonstrating the cultural richness of the world's peoples and communities. Transcending mere language, live choral performance allow audiences to experience the beauty, complexity and distinctiveness of living cultural heritage. At the same time, it serves as a reflection of positive cultural encounters and exchange, in which diverse traditions and languages communicate through art and come together through song.
The Washington International Chorus is open to singers of all ages from age 16 and up who have a desire to develop an international repertoire of choral music. We invite people from other countries who may be in the Washington area temporarily or permanently to join us in singing choral music from their countries while learning music from other cultures. We feature traditional and contemporary choral literature, including familiar and lesser known compositions, new works, and arrangements of folk or indigenous tunes.
The Washington International Chorus, located in the Washington DC metro area will have within it as members, the Middleburg Chamber Singers of the Washington International Chorus, a group that will be located in Middleburg, Virginia. At both locations, chorus members will rehearse the same music and members may select one location for regular rehearsals but may visit the other location at any time to rehearse or to make up missed sessions. All performances of members of WIC will be billed as "The Washington International Chorus" regardless of whether all members are singing at that performance. Performances may include the entire chorus or may be scheduled as separate venues. When the entire WIC is to perform, a joint rehearsal and a dress rehearsal will be held in a single location.
We are pleased to announce that Christopher Knoedler, a founding member of the chorus and a member of the Amico Artists Advisory Board, will serve as the Interim Conductor for both chorus locations. At the point that the Washington International Chorus hires a permanent Conductor, Mr. Knoedler will serve as the Associate Conductor and will continue to be the Conductor for the Middleburg Chamber Singers (Click on Conductor for a description of his background and experience).
To join the chorus as a singer, please let us know by going to the "Contact Us" section of our website. Auditions are not required, however, singers are invited to be guests at a rehearsal and have a discussion with the Conductor at the end of the rehearsal. Newcomersare then asked to sing with the chorus for four weeks, at which point, at the discretion of the Conductor, they may be asked to join.
The responsibility of singers is to attend regular weekly rehearsals, practice their music during the week, and perform with the chorus at various venues. The chorus has no dues requirement although in the future that is a possibility.
The Washington International Chorus, including the Middleburg Chamber Singers, will operate under the direction of Amico Artists staff and its Advisory Board of Directors. The Executive Director of Amico Artists is Caroline Sparks, who is a chorus member. The chair of the Amico Artists Advisory Board of Directors is Jacquelyn Gentry of Glenndale, Maryland. The Amico Artists/Campaign Digital, Inc. managment will be responsible for ensuring rehearsal venues, procuring copies of music for singers, making arrangements for performances, and fund raising. Business decisions about the chorus are made by the management. We welcome volunteers, either singers or non-singers to assist in these functions.
The WIC in the Washington metro area rehearses on Tuesday evenings from 7-9 pm. We will begin regular rehearsalson Tuesday, February 10, 2009 at a location to be announced.
TheMiddleburg Chamber Singersrehearses on Sunday evenings from 7-9 pm. Rehearsals are set to begin on Sunday, February 15, 2009. The rehearsal location is yet to be finalized but will likely be at the Notre Dame Academy, Middleburg, VA.
We would love to hear from you! If you have questions or comments please contact us through www.washingtoninternationalchorus.com