About us
Founded as a collaborative effort by DC luminaries, Scott Tucker and Nolan Williams, Jr, the Washington Douglass Chorale was formed through a shared vision to create a mixed chorus emphasizing extreme diversity and embracing the full spectrum of choral works. The chorus, an 50-voice ensemble, is made up of volunteer and professional singers that authentically reflect the racial diversity and ethnicity of the Washington, DC region, and will collaborate with major symphonies and participate in premiere events both in Washington, DC and beyond.
In the 2024-2025 season, with Nolan unavailable to continue in his role, Theodore Thorpe III collaborated as a guest conductor with Scott in both of our concerts and in May 2025 we announced that T (as Theodore Thorpe III is affectionately known) had agreed to become the permanent Co-Artistic Director along with Scott. The Chorale is grateful to Nolan for his yeoman work in helping us get the organization off the ground.
Mission Statement
To embrace and master the full spectrum of choral works, including traditional European and American masterworks, American spiritual music, neglected masterworks by Black Composers, and contemporary works by living composers; while fostering a love and awareness of this choral repertoire in the next generation of choral musicians.
Vision Statement
A mixed choral organization of volunteer and professional singers that reflects the racial diversity of the Washington, DC region, including the composition of its artistic leadership and organizational governance, providing a choral space for diversity and community through innovative, meaningful and creative programming.
Founding Story
In 2019, Damien Geter completed a work called “An African-American Requiem” on a commission from the Resonance Ensemble in Oregon. Thanks to the pandemic, its premiere was delayed, and in the interim, Scott Tucker was approached about the possibility of performing the work at the Kennedy Center. Scott brought the idea to Nolan and the friends decided to collaborate on the endeavor. They wanted to organize a largely African-American orchestra and a very diverse choir that included many singers from the Washington region. Nolan took on the responsibility of identifying and bringing on board the orchestra and the balance of what would become an extremely diverse and extremely talented choir. For that concert, which eventually took place at the Kennedy Center on May 23, 2022, Nolan conducted a collection of his works, while Scott conducted the Geter “An African-American Requiem.” The Washington Post headline said, “‘An African-American Requiem’ turns national grief into powerful music.”
The experience of this genre mixing choral music and an extremely diverse choir, gave Scott and Nolan the idea to try to form a permanent organization that would continue to promote this mission. Thus was born the idea of the Washington Douglass Chorale.
Greetings from Mayor Bowser
At our inaugural concert, “Noel! A Glorious Mystery” on December 3, 2023, we were honored to receive a letter of congratulations from Washington, DC Mayor Muriel Bowser.
We are inspired by her support and by the outpouring of love we felt from the community that day.