Visiting Choirs and Organ Recitals
Creating opportunities for visiting choirs to perform at the National Cathedral is an important and valued part of our musical ministry. Visiting choirs may perform at the Cathedral on specific occasions. Guest organists play Sunday afternoon recitals during the academic year.
Sunday Prelude Choirs
A choir may apply to sing the choral prelude before Evensong on most Sunday afternoons during the course of the academic year (September through May). Evensong on these days is sung by the Cathedral Choir. The choral prelude consists of a 25-minute program of sacred a cappella music sung from 3:30 to 3:55 pm, just prior to the 4 pm service (for which the prelude choir is invited to stay). The prelude itself is regarded as an integral part of the service.
How to Apply
If you are interested in your choir being considered for singing a choral prelude at the Cathedral, please complete the application form and submit it (either by mail or email), with a recent recording (preferably live) of your choir singing sacred a cappella music.
Friday Evensong Choirs
Choirs conversant with the office of Evensong and experienced in singing its musical repertoire (Preces & Responses, Anglican chanted Psalms, Canticles, etc.) will be considered for an invitation to sing Choral Evensong on any Friday during the course of the academic year (September through May), except times when Cathedral or special occasions take precedence.
How to apply
If you would like your choir to be considered for singing Evensong at the Cathedral, please complete the application form and submit it (either by mail or email), with a recent recording of your choir singing a live Evensong service within the previous 1–2 years. We also need a letter of recommendation from a member of the clergy who can comment on the choir’s recent experience in singing Evensong.
Service Choirs during the Summer
In addition, choirs conversant with the liturgies of the Episcopal Church will be considered for providing music at any of the choral services in a given week during July and August when the Cathedral choirs are on vacation (the Sunday Eucharist at 8:45 am & 11:15 am, Sunday Evensong at 4 pm, and weekday Evensongs daily at 5:30 pm).
Choirs wishing to sing any of these choral services should be familiar with Episcopal Eucharist and Evensong liturgies and their sung portions. Please complete the application form and submit it (either by mail or email), with a recent recording of your choir singing a live service within the previous 1–2 years.
Christopher Betts
Organist and Associate Director of Music
Washington National Cathedral
Wisconsin and Massachusetts Avenues, NW
Washington, DC 20016
E-mail: cbetts@cathedral.org
Organ Recitals
The Cathedral presents organ recitals most Sunday afternoons from September through May. Organists who are interested in appearing on our series are encouraged to apply.
How to apply
Please send the following materials through postal mail (please do not submit your application electronically):
- an unedited recording of a public organ recital performed in the last two years
- a printed program from the recorded recital
- a current biography
Please submit materials before January 15, 2013, to be considered for the 2013–14 season.
Please submit your materials to:
Dr. Jeremy Filsell
Artist-in-Residence
Washington National Cathedral
Wisconsin and Massachusetts Avenues, NW
Washington, DC 20016
Phone: (202) 537-5757
E-mail: jfilsell@cathedral.org