Postponed: free noon concert Wednesday at St. John's, Lafayette Square

The U.S. Army Chorus

 

(This just in:  The concert is postponed due to congressional meltdown.  More to come.)

 

St. John's Church at Lafayette Square inaugurates its 2013-14 free noon First Wednesday concert series October 2 with a performance by the nation's premier men's chorus, the United States Army Chorus, who regularly sing with the National Symphony Orchestra on Memorial Day, Independence Day, and at other patriotic events.  

This will be the third consecutive year the chorus has sung in the concert series.

Formed in 1956 to join the U.S. Army Band, "Pershing's Own," the group's songbooks include the traditional military music, and pop, Broadway, folk, and classical music, too. The chorus frequently performs for visiting heads of state since members can sing in more than 26 languages and dialects.  Most of the choristers hold advanced music degrees and tour the U.S., singing with symphonies and in renowned concert halls.

If fall comes, can springtime be far away from St. John's, Lafayette Square?/Patricia Leslie

St. John's, known to many Washington residents as the yellow church at Lafayette Square, is often called the “Church of the Presidents.” Beginning with President James Madison, who served from 1809 to 1817, every president has either been a member of, or has attended services at St. John's. A plaque at the rear of the church designates the Lincoln pew where President Abraham Lincoln often sat when he stopped by St. John's during the Civil War.  

St. John's organist Benjamin Hutto will accompany the chorus Wednesday. The concert will start at 12:10 p.m. and last about 30 minutes. Those needing a break from the congressional meltdown on Capitol Hill will likely find the concert especially soothing. And bring your hanky in case "The Battle Hymn of the Republic" is on Wednesday's program.

Who:  The U.S. Army Chorus

What:  The First Wednesday Concerts

When: 12:10 p.m., October 2, 2013

Where: St. John’s, Lafayette Square, 1525 H Street, NW, at the corner of 16^th, Washington, D.C. 20005

How much:  No charge

Duration: About 35 minutes 

Wheelchair accessible

Metro stations: McPherson Square, Farragut North, or Farragut West

Food trucks:  Located two blocks away at Farragut Square

For more information: Contact Michael Lodico, St. John's associate organist and choir director, at 202-270-6265

Other First Wednesday concert dates all starting at 12:10 p.m. are:

November 6: Bianca Garcia, flute, assisted by Michael Lodico, organ, in the world premiere of "Kokopelliana" by Stephen Cabell

December 4: Madrigal Singers from St. Albans & National Cathedral schools directed by organist Benjamin Hutto, performing seasonal music

January 8, 2014 (2nd Wednesday): Organist Richard Fitzgerald improvises on themes from the stained glass windows of St. John's

February 5: Soloists from the St. John's Choir perform baroque music for Valentine's Day 

March 12 (2nd Wednesday): Virtuoso Organist Dongho Lee performs Charles Ives's Variations on "America" and other works 

April 2: The U.S. Air Force Strings conducted by 2nd Lt. Shanti Nolan, with organist Michael Lodico, perform Francis Poulenc's Organ Concerto

May 7: Easter music for trumpet and organ with trumpeter A. Scott Wood and Benjamin Hutto

June 4: Organist Alan Morrison

patricialesli@gmail.com