Welcome to our nation’s capital city!
Perform in D.C.!
Welcome to our nation’s capital city! Although best known as the nucleus of the United States, Washington, D.C.’s global presence is as strong as its domestic presence. It is the home of numerous international organizations and foreign embassies and celebrates arts and culture from around the globe. As the epicenter of American government and politics, Washington, D.C. is a city where the past is as tangible as the present. The rich history and traditions of the United States are preserved, commemorated, and celebrated here alongside cutting-edge contemporary culture.
A performance tour of Washington, D.C. will give your ensemble the opportunity to perform in fine venues, exchange with local ensembles, and meet people from across the country and abroad. Enjoy a concert tour of Washington, D.C., and let yourself be immersed in all that the city has to offer as you share your music with local people.
Alternatively, for a festival experience check out our annual Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington, D.C.
Itinerary
Welcome to Washington, D.C.!
Upon arrival, meet your Music Contact International tour manger and together transfer by private motorcoach to Mount Vernon, the historic estate of first President of the United States, George Washington. The estate includes Washington’s mansion as well as extensive gardens, numerous colonial buildings, a working distillery and gristmill, a museum, and an education center. Here, sing an informal concert for other visitors and have lunch on your own.
Continue to Arlington National Cemetery where you’ll observe the Changing of the Guard ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and explore the cemetery’s hallowed grounds. A performance of patriotic songs sung in tribute to the 400,000 Americans who have been buried here since the 1860s will be scheduled as part of your visit.
Check in to your hotel and take time to relax and refresh. Rehearsal can be arranged this afternoon.
Tonight, a welcome dinner is served as your tour manager previews the days ahead.
Begin your first full day in Washington, D.C. with a guided tour of the U.S. Capitol. Venture inside one of Washington’s most recognizable facades as you discover the magnificent building that houses the U.S. Congress.
This afternoon, visit one of the Smithsonian Museums, such as the National Air and Space Museum, the National Museum of American History, or the National Portrait Gallery.
Later, perform a friendship concert alongside a local host ensemble. Dinner this evening will be on your own.
This morning, embark on a guided tour of Washington DC’s monuments. See many of the landmarks that come to mind when you think of Washington DC, including the Washington Monument, the FDR Memorial, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, and the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial, and learn about the legacies of the Americans they celebrate.
Perform an a cappella concert on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. Face the famed Reflecting Pool as you perform in the very spot where Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered his poignant “I Have a Dream” speech.
This afternoon, choose from the city’s many attractions, ranging from the United States Botanic Garden, the oldest continually operating botanic garden in the country to the International Spy Museum, an interactive dive into the world of international espionage. We’ll be happy to help you make a selection to suit your interests and budget.
A farewell dinner will be arranged for your group this evening, and if desired tickets to a cultural event can be arranged at a supplement price.
This morning, perform for the morning worship service at one of the District’s churches. After some time for fellowship with the congregation, depart Washington, returning home with wonderful memories of your concert tour.
Additional days, destinations, and activities can be added to customize this tour for your group.
Concert Tour Highlights
WASHINGTON, D.C.
Washington, D.C. was aptly described by President Kennedy as “a city of southern charm and northern efficiency.” The city's broad avenues and neoclassical architecture create a majestic landscape befitting the nation's capital. As the center of American government and politics, Washington, D.C. is both steeped in American history and a nucleus of change and progress. The city's blend of old and new provides an excellent setting for a performance tour. Its venues, both historic and modern, provide opportunities to share a wide variety of sacred, secular, and patriotic repertoire from all genres. Visiting ensembles can combine an array of performance, sightseeing, and educational opportunities to create an unforgettable tour experience.
LINCOLN MEMORIAL
"In this temple, as in the hearts of the people for whom he saved the Union, the memory of Abraham Lincoln is enshrined forever." These words are etched across the Lincoln Memorial above an imposing statue of 16th President of the United States, Abraham Lincoln, gazing out at the nation he battled to unite. The Lincoln Memorial is one of the most visited sites on the National Mall. Its exterior is comprised of 36 columns, each representing one U.S. state on the date of Lincoln's death. The impressive memorial hosts visiting ensembles for a cappella performances on its steps, facing the Reflecting Pool and the Washington Monument. Ensembles can tread in the footsteps of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. as they perform in the same spot from where he delivered his landmark "I Have a Dream" speech.
FRIENDSHIP CONCERTS IN WASHINGTON, D.C.
Our friendship concerts are a featured experience on our tours and are at the heart of our mission to foster cultural connections through music. We benefit from a vast international network in the choral world built over our thirty years' experience of helping choirs share their music both in the United States and abroad. Your choir will share a venue and a concert program with a host choir from the region. Your singers will have the chance to hear their host choir's repertoire (often showcasing local musical styles) and to share your own repertoire in turn. Fellowship time usually follows the friendship concert, giving both choirs the chance to mingle and enjoy the camaraderie of creating cross-cultural connections through a shared love of music.
WASHINGTON NATIONAL CATHEDRAL
The Washington National Cathedral is known formally as the "Cathedral Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul in the City and Diocese of Washington." It is the sixth-largest cathedral in the world and the second-largest cathedral in the United States. The cathedral's Neo-Gothic architecture and medieval-style garden make it a popular destination for tourism and worship, and its music ministry has a rich visiting choir program. Choirs may apply to sing the choral prelude before Evensong on most Sunday afternoons during the academic year, choral Evensong on any Friday during the academic year, or at any of the Episcopal choral services during the summer months.