Conductor

Artistic Director

The long-running and ever-popular tribute to the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. returns as the combined choirs of Washington Performing Arts’ Gospel Choirs and Choral Arts celebrate the power of music, collaboration, and the human spirit. The program transcends race, age, and gender to unite all who honor Dr. King’s ideals with songs that unite our spirits. 

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Living the Dream…Singing the Dream

John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts

Bring the kids for an unforgettable holiday experience as the Choral Arts Chorus fills the concert hall with holiday classics just for them! We’ll take you on a merry tour of Christmas favorites that will have your family singing all the way home. Expect a visit from Santa, Frosty, and Rudolph!

A Family Christmas

Join us for a spectacular evening of music and celebration at the 30th Anniversary Celebration Concert of the Washington Performing Arts Children of the Gospel Choir (COTG). This momentous event will take place on Saturday, June 1, 2024, at 7:00 PM at the prestigious Lisner Auditorium, George Washington University.

Under the artistic direction of Michele Fowlin, music direction by Anthony Walker, and choreography by Karon Johnson, the concert promises an unforgettable night of glorious sounds, artistry, and uplifting messages. The evening will feature special performances by dozens of COTG alumni and appearances by former directors including Dr. Joyce Garrett, Dr. Thomas Tyler, Diedre Neal, and Evelyn Curenton, celebrating three decades of gospel music that has built community among youth and audiences throughout the National Capital region and beyond.

The Washington Performing Arts Children of the Gospel Choir has a rich history of spreading joy through their music, having performed with legendary artists and at significant events, including NPR’s From the Top, with Grammy-winning pop singer Sara Bareilles at the White House, and at the Washington National Cathedral for the Inaugural Prayer Services for President Barack Obama and the National Memorial Service for Nelson Mandela.

Don't miss this opportunity to be part of a vibrant legacy. Purchase your tickets now and experience an evening that promises to be a highlight of the cultural calendar in Washington, D.C.

For tickets and more information, please visit the Washington Performing Arts website or contact the box office.

Children of the Gospel Choir

The George Washington University

Join us for a powerful and uplifting evening as we celebrate the legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with "Living the Dream . Singing the Dream," a choral tribute that brings together the Washington Performing Arts Gospel Choirs and The Choral Arts Society of Washington. This joyous and inspiring event will take place on Sunday, February 18, 2024, at 7:00 PM in the prestigious Concert Hall at The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.

Under the artistic direction of Theodore Thorpe III and Michele Fowlin, and hosted by NBC4 News anchor Shawn Yancy, the evening promises to be a memorable one. Special guests include Ralph Alan Herndon, David Anthony Johnson, Konshens the MC, and Simone Paulwell, who will join forces to honor Dr. King’s achievements and his ongoing, indelible impact on our world. The program will also feature the presentation of the Choral Arts Humanitarian Award to the renowned Spanish-American chef José Andrés.

Expect an evening filled with soaring singing, moving tributes, and inspirational stories that celebrate the power of the human voice and the spirit of community. The performance will last approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes, including an intermission, and promises to leave you with a hoarse throat the next morning from joining in the celebration.

Don't miss this opportunity to be part of a tradition that has touched the hearts of thousands over the years. Reserve your tickets now and be part of a night that pays tribute to Dr. King’s ideals through the universal language of music.

Living the Dream . Singing the Dream

Join us for an unforgettable evening of music and artistry at The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Terrace Theater, on Tuesday, February 6, 2024, at 7:30 PM. This special performance features the remarkable talents of bass-baritone Joseph Parrish and pianist Damien Sneed, presented by Washington Performing Arts and Young Concert Artists, in cooperation with the Coalition for African Americans in the Performing Arts.

Joseph Parrish, a bass-baritone known for his rich, warm voice and impeccable technique, will captivate the audience with a program that spans German and Russian lieder, a world premiere by Alistair Coleman, and American spirituals. The evening will be further enriched by the presence of the Washington Performing Arts Children of the Gospel Choir, under the artistic direction of Michele Fowlin, adding a layer of soul-stirring harmonies to the performance.

The program includes works by Adam Guettel, Franz Schubert, Gustav Mahler, Alma Mahler, Sergei Rachmaninoff, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Henry T. Burleigh, Harrison Leslie Adams, Charles Brown, Thomas Chisholm, Bobby McFerrin, and Richard Smallwood, alongside traditional arrangements by Michele Fowlin. This diverse repertoire promises an evening of emotional depth and breathtaking performances.

Joseph Parrish, a winner of the 2022 Young Concert Artists International Auditions and a student at The Juilliard School, has already made a significant mark on the world of opera and concert performance. Damien Sneed, a multi-genre recording artist, brings his vast experience and talent to the stage, having worked with legends across jazz, classical, pop, and R&B genres.

This performance is not only a showcase of exceptional musical talent but also a testament to Washington Performing Arts' commitment to accessibility, ensuring that visitors of all abilities can experience the magic of live performance.

Don't miss this extraordinary evening of music that promises to be both inspiring and uplifting.

Joseph Parrish, bass-baritone Damien Sneed, piano

Kennedy Center

Celebrate the holiday season with "A Family Christmas" at The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts Concert Hall. This enchanting event is scheduled for Saturday, December 16, 2023, at 11:00 am and Sunday, December 24, 2023, at 11:00 am. Designed with families in mind, this one-hour concert promises an unforgettable holiday experience for children ages 5 and up. The Choral Arts Chorus will fill the concert hall with holiday classics, featuring a merry tour of Christmas favorites that will have your family singing all the way home. Special appearances by Santa, Frosty, and Rudolph are set to bring extra joy to all attendees.

The program will be under the baton of Michele Fowlin, with Ka Nyoung Yoo providing accompaniment. Performances will also include the Choral Arts Symphonic Chorus and the Choral Arts Brass Ensemble, ensuring a rich, festive musical experience. The performance is designed to last 60 minutes without an intermission, making it perfect for young audiences.

Please note that all attendees, regardless of age, must have a ticket, including children who will sit in a lap. By purchasing tickets, attendees accept the risk of attending a live performance. For those interested in supporting the season journey of the Choral Arts Society of Washington, further information can be obtained by reaching out to JoinUsChoralArts.org.

This event is a part of the Choral Arts Society of Washington's season, which gratefully acknowledges its season sponsors. As with all live performances, programs, artists, dates, times, and content are subject to change.

Join us for an unforgettable evening with the Children of the Gospel Choir (COTG) on Friday, June 2, 2023, at 8:00 PM, held at the Montgomery College Cultural Arts Center. This season finale promises to be a one-of-a-kind program, co-curated by the choir members themselves, under the artistic direction of Michele Fowlin. The evening will feature a powerful mix of spoken word and musical performances, addressing themes of social justice, resistance, anticipation, and love, in response to the current news cycle.

The program will showcase the music of Kirk Franklin, Tori Kelly, and Callie Day, alongside special guests Francese Brooks, Anthony Tony Walker, Jordan Embrack, and the Katherine Smith Contemporary Dance Ensemble. This event not only highlights the talents of one of the region’s most celebrated youth ensembles but also marks their engagement with significant cultural and social issues through their art.

The COTG has a rich history of performances, having shared stages with notable artists and at prestigious venues, including the Lincoln Theater, the White House, and the Washington National Cathedral for significant national events. Their performances are a testament to their incredible talent and the impactful messages they bring to the forefront through their music and performances.

Seating at the Montgomery College Cultural Arts Center is on a first-come basis. For those requiring American Sign Language interpretation, arrangements can be made by contacting patronservices@WashingtonPerformingArts.org to ensure seating in the designated ASL section.

This performance is made possible through the generous support of Jacqueline Badger Mars and Mars, Incorporated, along with the Edith Glick Shoolman Children’s Foundation, and other sponsors. It's an evening that promises not only to entertain but to inspire and provoke thought, embodying the choir's mission to use their voices for change. Don't miss this powerful conclusion to the season, where music and message meet for an unforgettable experience.

Children of the Gospel Choir June 2023

Montgomery College Catherine F. Scott Commons

When the power of the human voice meets the spirit of community and the legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., the result is guaranteed to be joyous and inspiring—as tens of thousands of Living the Dream attendees over a decade can attest. Join us as the combined Men, Women, and Children of the Gospel choirs of Washington Performing Arts, and the Choral Arts Symphonic Chorus raise their voices in tribute both to Dr. King’s achievements and to his ongoing, indelible impact. Through song, Living the Dream … Singing the Dream ​unites all who honor Dr. King’s ideals.

Living the Dream … Singing the Dream

The Music Center at Strathmore

The Washington Performing Arts Children of the Gospel Choir presents The Homecoming: Still Rising, bringing its signature sound back to sacred ground. This high-spirited performance at Fort Washington’s National Church of God celebrates the power of community, the strength of its foundation, and the voices that continue to carry the choir forward with passion and purpose, grounded in resilience, identity, spirit, and expression. With the energy of a dynamic five-piece band, the choir gloriously celebrates this uniquely American art form in a performance for all ages.

Conductor, Artistic Director

Michele Fowlin

Events

Upcoming events

Feb 21, 2027

Living the Dream … Singing the Dream · Washington Performing Arts

Jun 5, 2027

Washington Performing Arts Children of the Gospel Choir 2027 · Washington Performing Arts

Past events

Feb 2, 2025

Living the Dream…Singing the Dream · Choral Arts Society of Washington

15 - 24 Dec, 2024

A Family Christmas · Choral Arts Society of Washington

About

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