About

As Washington, DC’s oldest symphonic chorus, the GRAMMY-nominated Cathedral Choral Society continues to set the standard for vibrant, engaging concerts in one of the world’s most important places of worship. The aims of the chorus are to invite more people to enjoy the art of choral singing, elevate emerging voices, and steward the art for future generations.

The Cathedral Choral Society is heavily invested in fostering emerging voices by regularly commissioning up-and-coming composers and featuring outstanding young soloists.

Each season, CCS presents four mainstage concerts in Washington National Cathedral in addition to programs and activities held outdoors or off the Cathedral Close. In its programming, the chorus commits itself each year to presenting works from many musical traditions that challenge, excite, and inspire audiences. The 120 singers that make up the Cathedral Choral Society come from all backgrounds, from politicos and government workers to schoolteachers and professional musicians.

The Cathedral Choral Society was founded by the Cathedral’s music director Paul Callaway in 1941, just days before the United States entered World War II. Since that time, only two other music directors have led the chorus: J. Reilly Lewis from 1985 to 2016, and, since 2017, Steven Fox.