Visiting Choirs
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.
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 liturgical offering.
How to apply
If you are interested in your choir being considered for singing a
choral prelude at the Cathedral, please send the following:
- a recent recording (preferably live) of your choir singing sacred a cappella music.
- a letter introducing the choir and indicating three possible Sundays on which you could offer a program, were you to be invited.
Service 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 (excluding June and other 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 send the following:
- a recording of a live Evensong service sung within the previous 1–2 years.
- a letter of recommendation from a member of the clergy who can comment on your choir’s recent experience in singing Evensong.
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 Eucharists 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 apply in the manner indicated above for service choir applications.
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