Scott on programming

Last summer, the talent that came through the door to audition was really impressive, and I was looking forward to our first rehearsal with high expectations; I was not disappointed, and, in fact those high expectations have been exceeded!! From the first notes of the warm-up on, it was clear that this chorus was going to be something special.There have been many pleasant surprises along the way as we have prepared to get this choir up and running. One delight was the process of programming the first concert. Normally, choosing music for a concert program is a pretty lonely task. One holes up, sometimes for days, and pours through all kinds of music to find good themes, and a good flow that has some kind of narrative. It can be exhausting and even exasperating to put together a compelling program as with each new idea, new pieces are added into the mix causing one to toss out earlier ideas. This time it was different. While the process had a similar period of flux, sharing ideas with a co-artistic Director of Nolan’s experience made the exercise, fun and energizing. I know a lot of music at this stage in my career, Nolan does too, and while there is some overlap in what we know, there is a lot of repertoire that we were able to introduce to each other, and so as themes emerged for our coming Christmas program, the process of choosing music became a bounty of new ideas.We have just begun at the Washington Douglass Chorale, but already I know we’re on to something remarkable.

Initial Thoughts from Scott Tucker

In my time as Artistic Director of Choral Arts, I was privileged to hear the inspiring speeches given at our annual MLK memorial concerts at the Kennedy Center. Marian Wright Edelman, Bryan Stevenson, Sherrilyn Ifill, and LaTosha Brown stand out as just a few of those who told us that fighting against racism is a daily effort, and that it is exhausting if you think you are doing it alone, but uplifting when it is a common goal. Little by little, those messages have shaped my thinking and seeped into my subconscious.

When George Floyd was murdered, it brought back a powerful memory of feelings I had as a little boy when MLK and RFK were killed. I remember wanting to respond back then, and not knowing how. As time went on after these incidents, the urgency that many felt to make authentic change faded as people settled back into their comfortable routines. I didn’t want that to happen to me this time. I didn’t want to become complacent.

The Washington Douglass Chorale feels like the right response. Here is something to which I can apply my knowledge and experience that will address those issues smoldering inside, with no outlet. When Nolan and I first discussed it, I could see in his eyes that he felt the same. The name of the chorus was his idea. To me, that name seems predestined, like something that has been waiting to be claimed at the right time.

Every choir is primarily about the music, but through that shared love of singing and striving towards excellence together, community is built. It is my hope that the WDC community will serve as a model for what is possible when people transcend their differences and work together to celebrate their common humanity.

- Scott Tucker, Co-Artistic Director, Washington Douglass Chorale