Pathways of Light
Washington Master Chorale’s Pathways of Light explores how music rooted in everyday singing can become choral art. The program moves from folk traditions in Dvořák’s Czech choruses and Bartók’s Slavic settings to Latvian-inspired soundscapes, African American spirituals, and two contemporary American works. The concert includes the world premiere of Kabanya Vinson’s *All Creatures of Our God and King*.
The performance also features Ēriks Ešenvalds’s *Northern Lights*, which uses water-tuned glasses and chimes to evoke a boy gazing at the sky, as well as R. Nathaniel Dett’s *The Chariot Jubilee* and other spiritual settings. Featured tenor Edward Washington II has appeared with major opera companies and ensembles, has received three Grammy nominations and two wins, and regularly champions new American music.
When: Sunday, October 18, 2026
Showtime: 5 PM
Venue: Church of the Epiphany, 1317 G Street NW, Washington, DC 20005
Tickets: Student admission is $10, orchestra seating is $45, and premium orchestra seating is $70.
Virtual viewing: A recording is available for $45. The viewing link is sent by email approximately two days after the concert and remains available for one week.
Program: Antonín Dvořák, *Four Choruses, Op. 29*; Béla Bartók, *Four Slavic Folk Songs, Sz. 70*; Ēriks Ešenvalds, *Ancient Prairie* and *Northern Lights*; R. Nathaniel Dett, *The Chariot Jubilee* and spiritual settings; Andrew Vu, *A Golden Day*; and Kabanya Vinson, *All Creatures of Our God and King*, receiving its world premiere.
Featured artists: Edward Washington II, tenor; Evelyn Simpson Curenton, organ; and Andrew Rosenblum, principal accompanist.
Edward Washington II: The lyric tenor was born in England and raised in Saudi Arabia. His operatic engagements have included the Metropolitan Opera, New York City Opera, Detroit Opera, Opera Omaha, and Lyric Opera of Chicago. His repertoire includes roles in Mozart’s *The Magic Flute*, Gershwin’s *Porgy and Bess*, Puccini operas, Gilbert and Sullivan works, and Robert O. Moore’s *The Devil and Daniel Webster*. He has appeared in concert performances of Mozart’s *Requiem*, Dett’s *The Chariot Jubilee*, and other works, and has been featured with Vox Fortura and the American Spiritual Ensemble. He has premiered nine American works, received two Grammy Awards from three nominations, and is making his Washington Master Chorale debut.
Accessibility: The event page provides a link for accessibility information, but does not list specific accommodations in the available text.
Run time: Not specified.
Age guidance: Not specified.