Our Story, Our Vision
Sharing the transformational power of choral music to connect within and across our community
The Georgetown Chorale was founded in 1989 by Dr. Elaine Rendler, who envisioned for her fledging community chorus a two-fold mission of cultivating musical excellence among its members and raising funds for local charitable organizations. What started as an extension course through the School of Continuing Studies at Georgetown University soon grew into an independent non-profit 501(c)(3) charitable organization and eventually into a vibrant and diverse arts organization. Dr. Rendler stepped down from the podium after 24 years of spirited leadership, but her legacy of community service through music lives on in the Chorale today. From 2013 through the end of the 2022 season, the Chorale flourished under the leadership of Dr. Richard Giarusso.
Repertoire and Concerts
The Chorale performs two concerts each season. Our most recent venues include the historic sanctuary of the Church of the Epiphany in downtown Washington, D.C., National United Methodist Church, and National Presbyterian Church in Tenleytown. The Chorale embraces the challenge of performing a variety of music ranging from classical masterworks to commissions by contemporary composers. Together, we strive to meet the high expectations set by our director and our fellow singers, and we take great joy in sharing our work with our audiences.
Community Service
To fulfill its mission of community service, the Chorale performs a benefit concert each year to raise funds for a local charitable organization. At the start of each season, the Chorale’s Board of Directors selects a beneficiary from local charities nominated by its singers. Past donations have supported homeless adults and families, wounded veterans, children in foster care, and cultural and educational opportunities for young people, including at-risk youth. The Chorale is proud to have donated more than $300,000 to numerous different local charities since its founding in 1989.
Artistic Leadership
The Chorale welcomed Heather Adelsberger as its Assistant Director and Accompanist in 2021. In July of 2022, Ms. Adelsberger was appointed Artistic Director. Dr. Elizabeth Hill joined the group at the same time as Keyboard Artist.
People
The Georgetown Chorale is a 120-voice chorus of avocational singers from across the D.C. metro area. We are a welcoming and inclusive community whose singers range widely in age, experience, and musical background. In rehearsals and performances, we cultivate an atmosphere of “serious fun”, challenging members to commit to the standards of individual and collective excellence that define our work. We ensure that individual singers have the support they need to succeed: practice aids, rehearsal recordings, sectional rehearsals, and presentations from outside clinicians complement the work done in weekly rehearsals.