Friends,

It is my great pleasure to welcome you to Choralis’ 25th anniversary season.

As I reflect on the journey we have been on together these past many seasons, it is difficult to imagine a time when we have not been bonded by the myriad musical experiences we’ve shared. There have been numerous “firsts,” milestones, concerts, and collaborations. One of the most meaningful collaborations has been our long friendship with world-renowned composer Bob Chilcott. It seems fitting that this season will culminate with the world premiere performance of Rainbow, a co-commission by Choralis and the Children’s Chorus of Washington of a new, intergenerational work by Bob, with text by award-winning poet Charles Bennett.

For a quarter of a century, our voices have come together to create beautiful music, and this milestone is a testament to our dedication, passion, and the unyielding support of our community. In addition to championing timeless masterworks, Choralis’ dedication to bringing new works of art to life has been one of my greatest rewards. Choral gems such as Maurice Duruflé’s Requiem or Bach’s Mass in B Minor, have enriched people’s lives for decades, and new music by composers, like Bob, and performed by groups like Choralis can be such a force for good. After all, there are so many important events in our world calling for  change, compassion, awareness, and action. Simply put, there can never be enough art and beauty in the world. By continuing to add new works to the repertoire we create more opportunities to celebrate the power of music to bring us all together.

I look forward to welcoming you in person at concerts or Choralis events, or seeing you virtually at one of our “Cocktails with Choralis” programs. I thank you for being part of the journey this far and look forward to the next 25 seasons.

Best,

Gretchen

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