On Feb.15, Vocal Arts DC (Vocal Arts Society of Washington) will celebrate its 20th Anniversary Concert and Gala Benefit, featuring internationally acclaimed mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato. A co-presentation with the Washington Performing Arts Society, the program will take place in the Kennedy Center Concert Hall. Of special note, this gala concert will also serve as Ms. DiDonato’s Kennedy Center Concert Hall debut. Following the performance, there will be a gala reception and buffet, honoring Ms. DiDonato and celebrating the society’s 20 years of great performances.
Vocal Arts DC was founded as the Vocal Arts Society in 1990 by Dr. Gerald Perman. Michael Kaiser, president of Kennedy Center proclaimed Vocal Arts DC as having “one of the great vocal series of the world.” The organization has been a tremendous asset to the African-American music community, providing performance opportunities and encouragement for several African-American classical singers such as soprano Roberta Alexander, tenors Vinson Cole and Lawrence Brownlee, baritone Stephen Salters and the late Washington, D.C. native baritone Ben Holt. Additionally, Vocal Arts DC recently supported the chartering of the Ben Holt Memorial Branch of the National Association of Negro Musicians, in honor of Mrs. Mayme Wilkins Holt, a longtime friend of the organization.
For tickets to the concert, please visit www.kennedy-center.org or call (202) 467-4600 to purchase tickets by phone. Admission to the reception and dinner is by ticket at $150 per person, and the net proceeds will benefit Vocal Arts DC. Information about the reception can be obtained by calling Vocal Arts (202) 669-1463 or by e-mail at info@vocalartsdc.org.
