The Choral Arts Society of Washington
The Choral Arts Society of Washington, under the leadership of its founder and artistic director Norman Scribner, is one of the major choral organizations in the United States. Now entering its 44th season, the Chorus is composed of 190 professional-caliber volunteer singers who have sung with leading symphony orchestras and under the world’s most distinguished conductors, recorded a number of acclaimed CDs, and toured nationally and internationally.
Main page: http://www.choralarts.org/
Auditions: http://www.choralarts.org/audition.html
The Washington Bach Consort
One of the world's premiere Baroque ensembles and founded in 1977 by J. Reilly Lewis, the Washington Bach Consort is a professional chorus and orchestra noted for its performance of 18th-century music on period instruments. It has appeared at numerous festivals and has made three critically acclaimed European tours. Recordings include Bach's complete motets, the Magnificats of both J.S. Bach and C.P.E Bach, the first American recording of the F Major and G minor Masses, and three solo soprano cantatas featuring opera superstar Elizabeth Futral.
http://www.bachconsort.org
Cantante Chamber Singers
In its 24th season and under the artistic direction of Gisèle Becker since 1994, Cantate Chamber Singers attracts many of the area's finest choral musicians. Cantate performs a broad range of great Western choral literature of the past five centuries and is recognized as one of the Washington area's outstanding interpreters of Baroque choral music.
Main Page: http://cantate.org/aboutUs.html
Auditions: http://cantate.org/audition.html
The Washington Chorus
Founded in 1961 as the Oratorio Society of Washington, The Washington Chorus is noted for its critically-acclaimed performances and recordings of the entire range of the choral repertoire. A Grammy Award winner, The Washington Chorus is currently in its 48th season and is considered a cultural leader in the Washington area.
http://www.thewashingtonchorus.org/
The Washington Women’s Chorus
Founded in 1996, the WWC is a unique resource in the Washington, DC area. The 35-member WWC is committed to giving concerts of the highest musical excellence, and just completed its 10th Anniversary concert to rave reviews by The Washington Post and The Washington Times.
http://www.washingtonwomenschorus.org/
Reston Chorale:
In the past auditions were held in both the late spring and the late summer, and have included a range and vocal quality check, diction and intonation evaluation, ear training evaluation, and a short written test to evaluate your understanding of musical elements. No prepared solo. Please email mail("auditions1","restonchorale",1,"") auditions1@restonchorale.org or telephone 703-834-0079 to setup an audition time.
http://www.restonchorale.org/about_reston_chorale.html or
http://www.restonchorale.org/default.html
Fairfax Choral Society
Fairfax Choral Society is a well established organization with both adult and children’s choirs. They have audition, membership and dues requirements. For specific information visit:
http://www.fairfaxchoralsociety.org/auditions.htm
The Northern Virginia Chorale
The seventy-voice Northern Virginia Chorale, formerly the Springfield Chorale, is celebrating its thirty-third season. From its inception in 1975, the Chorale has sought to present performances of distinguished choral music from a variety of genres. With a vast repertoire ranging from classical to contemporary, the Chorale has achieved a well-earned reputation for providing the community with high-quality performances under the leadership of its artistic director, Robert S. Webb, Jr.
http://www.springfieldchorale.com/schedule.html
The Alexandria Singers
Founded in October 1975 by sixteen Alexandria residents, the Alexandria Singers focus on American popular music — pop, rock, show tunes, blues, and jazz — distinguishing them from the numerous other choral groups in the area. The Singers have performed in many exciting venues including the Kennedy Center, The National Theatre, and DAR Constitution Hall.
http://www.alexandriasingers.com/
The Alexandria Harmonizers
The Alexandria Harmonizers are a 100+ man International Champion Barbershop Chorus comprised of members from the greater D.C. area. For more information visit www.harmonizers.org or click on the link:
http://www.harmonizers.org/joomla/index.php?option=com_frontpage&Itemid=1
Arundel Vocal Arts Society, Inc.
The Arundel Vocal Arts Society is a community singing group of approximately 60 men and women from all parts of Anne Arundel County who simply enjoy the art of singing in a choral environment. The Society was formed 22 years ago to support the art of choral singing by performing a wide variety of musical styles with orchestral accompaniment.
http://www.arundelvocalarts.org/information.htm
Cathedral Choral Society
Cathedral Choral Society is the 240-voice resident symphonic chorus at the Washington National Cathedral. Directed by J. Reilly Lewis, an internationally known Bach specialist and founding musical director of the Washington Bach Consort. The Cathedral Choral Society appears periodically at the Kennedy Center, most recently in performances of Orff’s Carmina Burana with The Washington Ballet and Handel’s Messiah with the National Symphony Orchestra.
For information see the Cathedral Choral Society website:
http://www.cathedralchoralsociety.org/
or call the National Cathedral at (202) 537-5527.
Georgetown Chorale
Founded in 1989, the Georgetown Chorale is a Washington, DC based non-profit organization dedicated to achieving musical excellence and providing community service. Auditions for Georgetown Chorale are open to all interested adults and to minors who have the permission of their parents. Auditions are generally held in September and January. For information visit their website at:
http://www.georgetownchorale.org/index.cfm
Lesbian and Gay Chorus of Washington DC
The Lesbian & Gay Chorus of Washington, DC(LGCW)is a 30-voice, non-auditioned, consensus-governed, community-based chorus with over two decades of music-making in its history. The chorus performs two major concerts each year (winter and spring), plus smaller performances throughout the year. For information visit their website at:
http://www.lgcw.org/
The Congressional Chorus
Founded in 1987 to showcase the beauty, spirit, diversity and power of American choral music, the Congressional Chorus has been honored to perform at many special events, including the inaugurations of Presidents George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton, the Gala Benefit for the Preservation of the Capitol, the Kennedy Center Terrace Theatre, Arts Festivals and Millennium Stage, the "Christmas in Washington" show at the National Building Museum, and the White House Congressional Ball. For information visit their website at:
http://www.congressionalchorus.org/
The Washington Sängerbund
No official audition required.
The Washington Saengerbund is the Washington area's oldest German organization, founded in 1851. The German singing society performs concerts of German music and holds three large annual events -- Fasching (Mardi Gras), the area's most authentic Oktoberfest, and a Christkindlmarkt. For more information visit their website at:
http://www.geocities.com/saengerbund/
Zemer Chai, The Jewish Community Chorus of Washingon DC
Now in its 30th year, Zemer Chai sings the full range of Jewish choral repertoire, including liturgical and classical pieces, Jewish folk music from around the world. The choir will be debuting several new commissioned pieces this spring. For more information or to arrange an audition:
http://zemerchai.org/