to read Strathmore's FY2010-2011 Annual Report (PDF).

10“The concert at Strathmore was amazing…Many of us have taken our choruses tofestivals in other countries, but this was an opportunity to listen to outstandingchoirs from all over the world here at home!”Joan Gregoryk, Music Director of the Children’s Chorus of Washington.....................................................................CHORAL RIFFSJAZZ IN FASHIONShizumi and the Kodomo Dance TroupeSONGS FOR THE PLANETThe 40th anniversary of Earth Dayin April 2010 was indeed somethingto sing about at Strathmore. Songof the Earth—part of the AmericaSings in the Nation’s Capitalfestival—featured music composedor arranged by Malcolm Dalglish,drawing inspiration from folk musicand poetry. Performed by a hugecompany of dancers, singers andmusicians on every instrument, fromthe hammered dulcimer to the Celticpipes, the concert featured the worldpremiere of Dalglish’s musical settingof Wendell Berry’s poem “Violets,”(ommissioned by Beth Davis inGood Company in celebration ofthe 40th Anniversary of Earth Day atStrathmore).This unique event brought togetherthe global and the local: Irish stepdancers from The Culkin Schooland Japanese dancers Shizumi andthe Kodomo Dance Troupe, and theGeorge Washington University Singerswere joined by the 100 membersof the Carpe Diem CommunityChorus—a choir formed just for thisspecial performance.To ensure that vocal talent fromaround the globe will continue toconverge here at the intersection ofart and life, Strathmore kicked offthe free Washington DC SerenadeChoral Festival in 2011 in partnershipwith Classical Movements, Inc.Free to the community, Serenade!featured eight choirs and more than300 singers, with vocal bands fromBotswana, Indonesia, Russia andtalent from right here in the U.S.The festival joined together artistsand audiences of diverse culturalcommunities using the universaltradition of choral singing. And inthe end, it touched the musical heartof everyone who witnessed it—andwas so successful it will be repeatedin 2012.When legendary jazz, pop andR&B singer Nancy Wilson decidedto donate two gowns she’d wornduring her storied career to theSmithsonian Institution’s NationalMuseum of American History,she chose the Music Center atStrathmore as the setting for her lastD.C. performance in April 2011. Thiswas a special honor—the celebrated“Guess Who I Saw Today” singerrarely makes concert appearances.The gowns were on display atStrathmore before and after her soldoutshow, Wilson signed the Deed ofGift on stage in front of her fans, andthen the beautiful dresses, designedby Angela Dean of DeanZine andb michael, made their way to theSmithsonian to be part of history............................................................“I was fortunate to have attended the first evening of the Serenade!Washington DC Choral Festival. In one place and in one sitting I heardfine choirs from Canada, Indonesia, and South Africa! This musicalUnited Nations made for the perfect summer evening out.”—Thomas C. Duffy, Professor of Music, Yale UniversityCordana—Indonesia Youth ChoirNancy Wilson signs the Deed of Gift on the Music Center’s stage.Jim Saah