Two men in suits shaking hands and smiling in a formal setting with stone arches in the background.
A diverse choir of men and women singing during a performance, led by a conductor in a formal setting with stone architecture.
Event promotional banner with text about justice for all, featuring a quote by Frederick Douglass, and details for a church event on Sunday, April 14, 2024, at 5:00 p.m., at the National Presbyterian Church in Washington, D.C.

Building on our foundation of celebrating our shared humanity through song, the Washington Douglass Chorale’s spring concert grappled with the issues of equity and inclusion. With music ranging from Dorothy Rudd Moore and Damien Geter to William Billings and Aaron Copland, the concert explored the true meaning of patriotism and invoked a commitment to the principles and ideals upon which our nation was founded: liberty and justice for all.

A special highlight of the program was the world premiere of a newly commissioned work, “Suite Freedom for All,” composed by Washington, D.C.’s own Allyn Johnson in commemoration of the 125th anniversary of the birth of American composer and jazz pioneer Duke Ellington.

Photos on this page thanks to Tom Sliter

Choir of diverse men and women singing in a church with a conductor leading them, some members with gold scarves, a music stand with sheet music, and a cross in the background.
A man wearing glasses and a black suit is speaking passionately, with his hands raised and a serious expression, in an indoor setting with stone walls.

What if you could create a choir that reflects the racial and ethnic diversity of Washington, DC, and that honors all choral music traditions, genres and composers?

Nolan Williams, Jr, and Scott Tucker have just done that! Please join us on this groundbreaking journey as we seek to revolutionize choral music in Washington, DC!

Here are Nolan and Scott discussing the Chorale