Cathedral Choral Society Announces Leadership Transition September 24, 2024

September 24, 2024

Washington, D.C. – Sarah Holmes, President of the Board of Trustees of the Cathedral Choral Society, announced the forthcoming departure of the chorus’ Executive Director, Dr. Christopher Eanes. Eanes will depart following the opening concert of the season, Brahms’ Requiem. On November 1st, he will become President & CEO of Chorus America, the national advocacy and membership organization for choruses throughout North America.

Ms. Holmes stated, “Chris Eanes has led the Cathedral Choral Society with a keen strategic vision, dedication to excellence, and a deep passion for collaboration across the arts. We will miss his leadership greatly, yet we celebrate his many contributions to our organization, and the opportunities he now faces.”

Dr. Eanes came to CCS in 2019 and quickly reoriented the organization to navigate the COVID-19 pandemic. In his time at CCS, Eanes oversaw the creation and implementation of a strategic plan focused heavily on access, diversity, equity, and inclusion, as well as a re-branding of the organization and substantial investment in expanded programming and collaboration. During his tenure, working alongside Music Director Steven Fox, the organization was nominated for GRAMMY Award, and offered collaborations with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, Atlanta Ballet, Pershing’s Own U.S. Army Blues, the Washington Bach Consort, and more. Together, Eanes & Fox launched the multi-year I, Too, Sing America initiative in partnership with the Heritage Signature Chorale. Under Eanes’ leadership, ticket sales have consistently outpaced national post-COVID trends.

Steven Fox, Music Director of the Cathedral Choral Society, noted the following: “At the same time as we are sad to see Chris moving on from Cathedral Choral Society, we are also thrilled for him and for this extraordinary new chapter in his career. Chris is a natural leader and has been an ideal Executive Director for CCS. He has built a first rate staff and board that will continue to lead the organization to new heights and will always be a part of his legacy. Personally, I am grateful for the partnership Chris and I had over five seasons together. We hit it off right away, and I only felt our working relationship, and friendship, strengthen throughout these years. I learned a tremendous amount from him and have grown from our collaboration.”

The Cathedral Choral Society has assembled a transition team and will name an interim Executive Director in the coming weeks.