Ernest Hemingway once said, "What greater gift than the love of a cat?"
Anyone
who ever entered the Cathedral's greenhouse and library has experienced
such love. A memorable, American Short-hair named Katherine of Tarragon
has graced the lives of visitors and staff on the close for over 15
years, and at this time, announces her retirement.
Ms.
Tarragon was only a kitten when she began her work as an entry-level
mouse catcher in the Cathedral Greenhouse 15 years ago. It is there,
where she spent most of her career until the closing of the Greenhouse
in 2008. During which time, Ms. Tarragon inspired a retail product line
at the Cathedral's Museum Shop where Katherine cards can be found. She spent the remainder of her professional career in the
Cathedral Library, helping CCS and Cathedral records staff with daily
office activities such as chasing strings across the floor, sleeping on
the outgoing mail, and basking on the warm floor in front of the copy
machine. Ms. Tarragon spent most mornings outside the front door of the
library greeting everyone from staff and bike messengers, to visiting
dignitaries.
As her primary care taker, Tom Wright describes,
"Katherine is a robust 15.5 years old." She has developed some
non-threatening, age-related health issues, and following the advice of
her primary feline care provider has decided to retire. Ms. Tarragon
will live out her days in a posh townhome in Georgetown, with daily and
loving attention - and a new feline friend!
Katherine is, and will continue to be, a part of many lives. She
is a reminder that even amidst the most trying of times, we can all
find a common thread in the happiness - of that which occurs in nature - can bring.
January 25, 2010
Katherine of Tarragon Announces Retirement
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Posted by Cathedral Choral Society at 12:07 PM 6 comments

January 12, 2010
2010 Choral Space Odyssey
This was a wonderful honor for the singers representing CCS and was hugely successful. Their artistic interpretation of holiday favorites entertained the likes of Al Roker, Andrea Mitchell, Bill O'Reilly and Wolf Blitzer. The singers were led by chorus master, Todd Fickley, and following the performance, were all introduced to the President of the United States and the First Lady.
We on the CCS staff are so proud of all the singers who participate in the "Ensemble Singers," for representing entire chorus so beautifully.
There are several exciting things in store for this season including more Young Professionals events, a "Twitter Balcony," and our final concert, Reilly & Friends: A Celebration of Twenty-Five Years - a concert sure to be a treat you will not want to miss.
Happy New Year!
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Posted by Cathedral Choral Society at 12:00 PM 0 comments

December 10, 2009
The Joy of Christmas Concert Weekend
THE JOY OF CHRISTMAS
Saturday, December 12, 2009 at noon*
Saturday, December 12, 2009 at 4 pm
Sunday, December 13, 2009 at 4 pm
Featuring the The Heritage Signature Chorale and the world premiere of a Christmas carol by the renowned American composer Lee Hoiby. A perennial holiday favorite from the opening procession accompanied by the Great Organ to the Cathedral carillon and the beloved carols old and new, this festive concert has long been a Washington family tradition and is often sold out.
*Again this year, we offer a special family matinee on Saturday, December 12 at noon. Bring the whole family for this hour-long presentation of the Joy of Christmas specially designed for our younger fans. Seating is by general admission.
Cathedral Choral Society, J. Reilly Lewis, conductor
The Heritage Signature Chorale, Stanley J. Thurston, music director
Scott Dettra, organ
Edward Nassor, carillon
Treble Choir of Northern Middle School, Nicholas Petersen, music director
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Posted by Cathedral Choral Society at 3:37 PM 0 comments

November 12, 2009
Lord & Taylor Benefit Bash!
CCS participated in the Lord & Taylor Benefit Bash on Tuesday, November 19th at the Washington location on Western Avenue in Northwest. As you may have read, we have been selling tickets to this event since October. With our singers, staff and friends rallying, we raised thousands of dollars for CCS! Representatives from over 30 local non-profit organizations sold tickets at the door in support of each other.CCS singers performed a few pieces in the evening and met with shoppers. The event was a huge success, and raised awareness and money for several worthy causes. A $1,000 dollar bonus will be awarded to the top pre-sale ticket seller, so stay tuned!
In the mean time, here are a few photos from the event!
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In the mean time, here are a few photos from the event!
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Posted by Cathedral Choral Society at 3:39 PM 0 comments

November 6, 2009
NEA to Receive $12.5 Million Budget Increase
Yesterday, the House and Senate each approved $12.5 million increases for the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities. The FY 2010 Interior Appropriations Bill sets budgets for the two federal grant-making cultural agencies at $167.5 million each. President Obama will sign the bill into law by October 31. With the President's signature, the NEA will be funded at its highest level in 16 years.
“For nearly 45 years the National Endowment for the Arts has awarded grants to support a network of 5,000 local, state, and regional arts agencies that serve as the infrastructure of support for the arts and arts education in America,” said Robert L. Lynch, president and CEO of Americans for the Arts. “This important budget increase recognizes the essential role the arts play in our lives, schools, and communities. This funding boost also serves as a warm welcome to the new NEA Chairman Rocco Landesman as he kicks off his nationwide ‘Art Works’ tour next week.” Read his full statement in the press room.
For more information about this important legislation and to contact your member of Congress, visit the Online Arts Action Center.
source: Americans for the Arts www.artsusa.org
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Posted by Cathedral Choral Society at 9:17 AM 0 comments

October 30, 2009
Composing Concertos in the key of RX
Our resident feline office-mate, Katherine, appears to have an upper-respiratory infection. We noticed a hacking cough and assumed a hair ball. Katherine paid a visit to the Friendship Heights Animal Hospital who determined that she has a small infection causing the cough, and may be developing asthma.
Fear not, Katherine fans. She is a part of the Cathedral library family and well looked after. She is begrudgingly taking an oral antibiotic, and with a few days inside, should be just fine. Her current condition got me thinking about an article published in the New York Times back in March discussing the effects of music as a healing agent that I'd like to share with you. Perhaps all Katherine needs is a little Mozart...
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Posted by Cathedral Choral Society at 2:35 PM 0 comments

October 23, 2009
Washington Post Gives Rave Review
In performance: Verdi Requiem

by Cecelia Porter
In his apocalyptic “Requiem,” Giuseppe Verdi grasps the sublime. As is often said, this monumental mass for the dead offers most of the trappings and grandeur of his operas. To celebrate his 25th season as director of the Cathedral Choral Society, J. Reilly Lewis led his premier chorus, vocal soloists and orchestra in a magnificent performance of the Requiem at the Washington National Cathedral on Sunday.
(read more after the jump)
Lewis missed none of the music’s terrifying juxtaposition of heaven and hell — a parallel to the emotions and conflict depicted in opera between virtuous heroine and evil villain. And he led the chorus delicately from the hushed tones of “rest in peace” (Requiem aeternam) into the solo ensemble’s passionate Kyrie. Verdi sets the ancient Latin text with the rhythmic pulse of spoken Italian, injecting the often stupefying words with all the fire and fury of the stage. He underlines moments of serene consolation with the soaring lyricism of an opera aria. It’s just this profoundly human quality Verdi gives to the religious text that Lewis made supremely evident on Sunday.
The singers delivered the “Dies Irae” of the Last Judgment with the searing ferocity of a lightning bolt — recalling the lurid, wrenching extremes that Hieronymous Bosch depicted on canvas. The solo trio lent the “Lux Aeterna” a lustrous tenderness. And except for a few pitch problems in more exposed ensembles, soprano Lise Lindstrom, mezzo Ann McMahon Quintero, tenor Thomas Poole and bass Wayne Tigges offered glowing accounts of their demanding roles.
--Cecelia Porter
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Posted by Cathedral Choral Society at 11:41 AM 0 comments

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