The Washington Chorus (TWC) is one of the foremost symphonic choruses in Washington, D.C. A three-time nominated and two-time Grammy Award®–winner, the 160-voice chorus presents an annual series at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, regularly performs at the invitation of the National Symphony Orchestra, and appears annually at the Music Center at Strathmore in Maryland and Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts in Virginia.

TWC was founded in 1961 by Hugh Hayward, a medical doctor and classically trained musician, who founded the Oratorio Society of Montgomery County, which became known as the Oratorio Society of Washington and, subsequently, The Washington Chorus. In 1971, Robert Shafer succeeded Hayward as music director, leading the chorus for more than three decades with great distinction. From 2008–2017 Julian Wachner led the organization with education and innovation at the forefront of his programs. Christopher Bell brought unparalleled attention to precision and clarity to the ensemble with his trademark flair during his tenure as Artistic Director from 2017–2020. The Chorus’ fifth Artistic Director, Eugene Rogers, is widely regarded as one of the most acclaimed next-generation conductors and musical thought leaders today working at the intersection of classical music and social change.

Chorus America, the national association for choruses, has honored The Washington Chorus with the Margaret Hillis Award for Choral Excellence and the ASCAP Alice Parker Award, which recognizes a chorus programming significant, recently composed music that expands the mission of the chorus and challenges audiences in new ways. Other awards include the 2000 Grammy Award® for Best Choral Performance for the live-performance recording of Benjamin Britten’s War Requiem and a 1996 Grammy Award® for John Corigliano’s Of Rage and Remembrance with the National Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Leonard Slatkin. TWC is proud to have sung with the National Symphony Orchestra in more than 300 performances, under the direction of many of the world’s greatest conductors, including Gianandrea Noseda, Christoph Eschenbach, Leonard Slatkin, Mstislav Rostropovich, Rafael Frühbeck de Burgos, Seiji Ozawa, Sir Neville Marriner, Kent Nagano, Marin Alsop, Gustavo Dudamel, Sir Andrew Davis, and many others. TWC has sung for numerous prestigious events throughout its history including inaugurations and papal visits.