Free Christmas choral concert, Dec. 7, St. John's, Lafayette Square

The Madrigal Singers from St. Albans and National Cathedral schools will sing music of the season in a free noon concert on Wednesday, Dec. 7, at St. John's Episcopal Church, Lafayette Square.

The program is to include sacred and secular music of the season.

The Madrigal Singers have been featured on NPR and have toured the world presenting concerts on four continents.
Brandon Straub, organist and choir director for St. John's and the director of choral music at both schools which are affiliated with the Washington National Cathedral, will direct the 40 singers who are enrolled in grades 10 through 12.
St. John's Episcopal Church, Lafayette Square, Washington, D.C./Photo by Patricia Leslie

The presentation is one of St. John's First Wednesday Concerts, always performed without charge and lasting about 35 minutes.

St. John's was founded in 1815 and is known to Washington residents as the yellow church at Lafayette Square. It's often called the “Church of the Presidents” since beginning with James Madison who was president from 1809 to 1817, every president has attended services there. A plaque at the rear of St. John's designates the pew where President Abraham Lincoln often sat when he stopped by the church during the Civil War.

First Wednesday concerts begin at 12:10 p.m. and last about 35 
minutes. Food trucks are located at Farragut Square, two blocks away.
 
Who: The Madrigal Singers from National Cathedral and St. Albans singing seasonal music

What: First Wednesday Concerts

When: 12:10 p.m., December 7, 2016

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

How much: No charge

Duration: About 35 minutes

Wheelchair accessible

Metro stations: McPherson Square (White House exit), Farragut North, or Farragut West

For more information: 202-347-8766

Upcoming dates and artists of the First Wednesday Concerts are:

January 4, 2017: Concert organist Janet Yieh will play works by Mendelssohn, Messiaen, and the "Beatles" Toccata

February 1: Jazz vocalist Sara Jones will sing a Winter Escape, accompanied by the Dan Dufford Ensemble

April 5: Soloists from St. John's Choir will sing

May 3: Thomas Smith, the director of music at Christ Church, Georgetown, will play A Journey to Merrie Olde England - A Recital of English Organ Music

June 7: Bach's Brandenburg Concerto No. 2 will be played by the U.S. Air Force Strings with trumpeter Mary Bowden


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