On Saturday the 9th and Sunday the 10th of November, the Eastern American Diocesan Youth Choir traveled to St. John the Baptist Cathedral in Washington, DC to sing at the divine services. The choir is comprised of singers ranging from high-school students to young professionals from all over the Eastern American Diocese, and has sung in several parishes throughout the Diocese since its inception in 2008. This event marked the choir’s first gathering in Washington, DC.

The cathedral holds separate divine services celebrated in English and Slavonic. The Youth Choir was invited to sing the English services at the cathedral, as most of the parish’s English-language choir departed to participate in a choral seminar at St. Tikhon’s Monastery and Seminary in South Canaan, PA for the weekend.

The youth arrived at the cathedral on Saturday morning, and held a rehearsal in the parish hall. Choir participants included singers from Virginia to Massachusetts, joined with some of the young singers of the cathedral’s English-language choir. Even though a number of the singers had never sung in the Youth Choir before, the choir was able to successfully prepare the pieces, both from their regular repertoire and several new pieces, for the weekend's service in just a few short hours.

While several singers have been singing with the Youth Choir for several years, the Youth Choir regularly enjoys and welcomes new members.

The choir, under the direction of Alexander Cooley, sang at the All-Night Vigil. The following morning, the choir sang at the Divine Liturgy, celebrated by assistant rector Priest John Johnson, co-served by parish Deacons Patrick Mitchell and John Dean. Upon completion of the Liturgy, Fr. John Johnson thanked the choir for their participation in the divine services. A bountiful meal was served after the service in the parish hall.

As this marked some of the choristers’ first visit to the Washington, DC area, choir members traveled into the city to visit such sites as the Lincoln Memorial. The Veterans Day holiday weekend afforded several the opportunity to remain in the area for the day, before travelling home later on Sunday or Monday.

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