The Washington Chorus Inc.

“A draft of the Form 990 is reviewed by management, the Finance Committee and then is provided to the full Board of Trustees prior to filing with the IRS.”

“The officers and directors of TWC are required to disclose conflicts of interest or potential conflicts of interest once they become aware of them. Key employees have a similar requirement. Compliance with this policy is enforced through the organization's contract review process.”

“The Executive Committee serves as the Compensation Committee for the key employees using all comparative data available.”

“TWC makes its governing documents, conflict of interest policy and financial statements available to the public upon request.”

“The Organization utilizes volunteers to organize and operate all areas of the Chorus. During fiscal year 2018 approximately two hundred chorus singers and chorus management volunteers donated their time and talents to the Organization.”

“The mission of The Washington Chorus is to preserve and advance the art of choral singing and share the experience of the transforming power of choral music. TWC does this by performing at the highest artistic level in the nation's capital and before diverse national and international audiences, and by nurturing the next generation of choral singers.”

“Noted for the superb artistry of its performances and recordings of the entire range of the choral repertoire, TWC is widely recognized as a cultural leader in the nation's capital. A three-time nominated and two-time Grammy Award winner, the 200-voice Washington Chorus presents an annual subscription series at The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, regularly performs at the invitation of the National Symphony Orchestra, and appears annually at the Music Center at Strathmore in Maryland and Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts in Virginia. The Washington Chorus presented A Candlelight Christmas featuring traditional carols, contemporary compositions, and sing-a-longs of Christmas favorites. The festivities were accompanied by a brass ensemble and organ, infused with Christopher Bell's audience-pleasing combination of reverence and revelry, and of course include the traditional candlelight processional. In March, The Washington Chorus performed Madrigals Meet Minimalism- a vocal mash-up with DJ Justin Reed, exploring sonic textures of 16th century madrigals and 20th century minimalism. In April, The Washington Chorus presented Carmen in Concert. Audiences experienced one of the world's most popular operas in a bold, new way: by seeing Carmen through the eyes of her killer's mother. In John Constable's wickedly smart narrative, Don Jose's mother recounted her son's fatal affair with the woman who destroyed his life. Starring mezzo-soprano Aleks Romano (Washington National Opera, Lyric Opera of Chicago, Glimmerglass Festival) in the title role, and conducted by Artistic Director Christopher Bell, The Washington Chorus joined forces with The Washington National Opera Orchestra, members of the Domingo-Cafritz Young Artist Program, and the Children's Chorus of Washington to bring Bizet's masterpiece to vivid life in a concert version on the stage of the Kennedy Center Concert Hall. The Washington Chorus ended the debut season of Artistic Director Christopher Bell by celebrating the Leonard Bernstein Centennial in an intimate, a cappella evening of music by mavericks & trailblazers of 20th Century music: Leonard Bernstein, Aaron Copland, Louise Talma, Michael Tippett, and Randall Thompson. To commemorate the 100th birthday of influential composer Leonard Bernstein, The Washington Chorus joined the global "Bernstein at 100" celebration with a concert and surrounding education programs in the spring of its 2017-2018 season. TWC's Lenny and Friends performances were held on June 2 and 9 at Live! at 10th and G. This concert celebrated the influence Bernstein and his contemporaries had on each other and on modern day composers with a vocal tour de force. Works by Michael Tippett, Aaron Copland, and Leonard Bernstein showcased the raw vocal power of the unaccompanied chorus. The "Bernstein at 100" celebration has been facilitated locally by the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, which The Washington Chorus has been participating in along with over 16 other organizations in the greater Washington, DC metro region since early 2015.”

“In partnership with DC Public Schools, the DC Honor Chorus unites elementary and high school DCPS students from across all eight wards of Washington, DC for an intensive music training festival under the leadership of some of the best choral music educators in the world. Only in its second year, the DC Honor Chorus has grown to include more students and more musical experiences. The Washington Chorus facilitated in-school activities leading up to the two-day festival on March 16th and 17th, 2018. The culminating concert on March 17th featured the vocal talents of DC Honor Chorus students and the instrumental skills of the DC Honor Ensemble, led by musicians from Washington Performing Arts. The ensemble tripled the number of elementary through high school aged participants from across all eight wards of the District of Columbia, and was joined by Washington Performing Arts to offer instrumental studies. Students in grades three through twelve joined together for a two-day festival of intensive rehearsals, culminating in a free and open-to-the-public concert held at the newly renovated Duke Ellington School of the Arts. Education and Community Outreach Programs: Junior Washington Chorus: The Junior Washington Chorus provides 15-20 high-school aged students with choral opportunities beyond the scope of regular school programs. JWC members fully participate in the Chorus and receive additional musical training with the Music Director and the TWC Assistant Conductor. This training occurs before the regularly scheduled Chorus rehearsals and encourages the study of music theory and aural skills in relation to the current repertoire. Side by Side: Each year, up to two outstanding local high school choruses are selected to partner with The Washington Chorus and enjoy the unique experience of being involved with a world-class symphonic chorus. The highlight of the partnership is the annual Candlelight Christmas concerts when the high school choir joins the Chorus onstage at the Kennedy Center and the Music Center at Strathmore. Throughout rehearsals and performances, each student is partnered with a TWC singer who introduces the student to the workings of a world-class choir and the backstage operations of the Kennedy Center and the Music Center at Strathmore. TWC's partner high school choirs have reflected a mix of ethnicity, a wide range of socio-economic backgrounds, and a diverse spectrum of artistic experiences. While many side by side partners struggle with shrinking music budgets and outdated equipment, all are recognized for their excellence in artistic guidance, choral education, student talent, and faculty dedication. The Chorus is proud to have worked with all of them and believes it has enriched the musical education of each of these young singers. The Side by Side program is unique in the choral community of Washington because its hallmark performance is also part of its regular subscription series. Tickets for Teens: One of the Chorus' most popular programs, Tickets for Teens offers about 400 free tickets annually for local youth to attend TWC concerts at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Tickets for Teens helps to foster the next generation of enthusiasm for the performing arts, gives students an alternate social outlet for the weekend, and offers additional opportunities for parents to spend quality time with their children. Conductor in the Classroom: In coordination with Tickets for Teens, this program brings the Assistant Conductor of the Chorus into local classrooms to give students deeper insight into the works they will be hearing at the Kennedy Center. By deepening their knowledge of the pieces, the Chorus is enhancing their enjoyment of the concert-going experience. Outreach Singers: This subset of singers from the main chorus presents free concerts that bring choral music to the general public in community settings, including those who, for mobility or health reasons, cannot attend performances”

“Music Director: Program service expenses 100,000. Management and general expenses 0. Fundraising expenses 0. Total expenses 100,000. Accompanist: Program service expenses 13,390. Management and general expenses 0. Fundraising expenses 0. Total expenses 13,390. Payroll Service Fees: Program service expenses 741. Management and general expenses 225. Fundraising expenses 357. Total expenses 1,323. Outreach coordinator: Program service expenses 7,420. Management and general expenses 0. Fundraising expenses 0. Total expenses 7,420. Temporary help: Program service expenses 27,870. Management and general expenses 810. Fundraising expenses 6,400. Total expenses 35,080.”

“TWC's Finance Committee is responsible for oversight of the audit, including selection of the independent accountant. The process has not changed from previous years.”