NOVEMBER 14-15, 2025
WE ARE PHOENIX
“The Earth has shown itself to be a powerful model of how to overcome obstacle through continual rebirth and evolution. Through poetry from multiple authors, We Are Phoenix illuminates the analogy between humans and our planet: we both suffer loss and devastation and yet rise again and again, becoming stronger each time.”
ABOUT
Out of ashes, we rise.
WE ARE PHOENIX celebrates the connections that carry us through life’s great cycles of destruction and renewal. It is a story of resilience, hope, and the core tenet that we are all connected.
Congressional Chorus presents the DC premiere of Timothy Takach’s We Are Phoenix, a major commissioned work for choir and string quartet. This monumental, eleven-movement piece explores Earth’s cycle of trauma and rebirth as a mirror for our own lives. To bring this ambitious project to life, we joined a commissioning consortium with 43 choirs across the US, uniting our voices to champion an inspiring creative vision. Don’t miss this musical event that is uplifting audiences nationwide.
Experience this story of resilience told across generations. The concert also features special performances by NorthEast Senior Singers (Nov 14) and American Youth Chorus (Nov 15). Their music brings a lifetime of perspective to the themes of hope and renewal.
COME IF YOU LIKE
major classical works
string and orchestral music
music inspired by the natural world
WHO’S PERFORMING
Congressional Chorus
NorthEast Senior Singers (Nov 14)
American Youth Chorus (Nov 15)
Chamber Ensemble
VENUE
The First Baptist Church of the City of Washington, D.C.
1328 16th St. NW
Washington, DC 20036
MARCH 27-28, 2026
BRITISH INVASION,
AMERICAN STORY
a transatlantic cabaret
ABOUT
What happens when a sound is so powerful it crosses an ocean and comes back transformed? This Transatlantic cabaret explores the back-and-forth musical conversation between the UK and US that created some of the most iconic sounds. The journey begins with the American pioneers of R&B and rock 'n' roll whose sound inspired a generation of British youth. Relive the cultural wave of the 60s when British rock and pop bands stormed the American charts and inspired the evolution of music from TV pop and folk rock to garage rock, blues revival, and funk.
This is a story of call and response, where every echo created a new sound, and an unforgettable American story.
The cabaret gets back to its roots!
This year, we are thrilled to invite you to a nightclub experience, returning to the intimate atmosphere that makes cabaret so special. Settle in with table seating, enjoy a selection of wine, beer, and nibbles, and let our chorus transport you with their signature blend of song and dance. Backed by a phenomenal live band and featuring a myriad of stunning vocal soloists, this is the up-close and personal performance you’ve been yearning for.
WHO’S PERFORMING
Congressional Chorus
VENUE
The First Baptist Church of the City of Washington, D.C.
1328 16th St. NW
Washington, DC 20036
June 6, 2026
THE SUM OF US
ABOUT
A joyful family concert celebrating the beautiful mosaic of the American experience. This program explores the powerful ideals that unite us. American Youth Chorus (AYC), NorthEast Senior Singers (NESS), and the Chamber Ensemble present eclectic sets that weave together stories of community, hope, and justice.
Congressional Chorus will also present a special preview performance of excerpts from two compelling contemporary works. Hear selections from Dr. Brandon A. Boyd's powerful Redeem the Dream and Michael Bussewitz-Quarm's evocative US, both of which will be featured in the upcoming SING DEMOCRACY 250 performance.
WHO’S PERFORMING
NorthEast Senior Singers
American Youth Chorus
Chamber Ensemble
Congressional Chorus
June 13, 2026
SING DEMOCRACY 250
ABOUT
Join Congressional Chorus at the historic Constitution Hall for a monumental concert commemorating the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.
Congressional Chorus serves as the headlining ensemble for this landmark DC signature event, leading a powerful mass choir and orchestra. Together, we unite our voices to renew democracy's promise, inspiring a deeper sense of shared responsibility and national unity through the transcendent power of music. The performance features two newly commissioned works that challenge and inspire us to build a more perfect union.
Redeem the Dream by Dr. Brandon A. Boyd sets Langston Hughes’ powerful poem “Let America Be America Again” to music. This moving piece confronts the gap between our nation's founding ideals and the lived realities of many, yet ultimately offers a profound message of hope—a call for "We, the people" to reclaim and realize the promise of America for all.
US by Michael Bussewitz-Quarm, inspired by Richard Haass’s The Bill of Obligations, explores the essential duties of citizenship. Through the words of diverse Americans, this work reminds us that democracy depends on all of us—on our commitment to be informed, to remain civil, and to promote the common good.
Be part of a historic celebration that reaffirms the fundamental truth that out of many, we are one.
COME IF YOU LIKE
classical music
major choral-orchestral works
WHO’S PERFORMING
Congressional Chorus
Together in Hope Choir
Sing Democracy 250 Orchestra
VENUE
Constitution Hall
1776 D St NW
Washington, DC 20006
