Washington Performing Arts Men and Women of the Gospel Choir (MWOTG) Timeline

1987

  • Eric Torain joins Washington Performing Arts staff

1989

  • Washington Performing Arts presents its first gospel music showcase at The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts

1991

  • Women of the Gospel Choir formed in tribute concert to the late Dr. Pearl Williams-Jones, artistic director.
  • Evelyn Simpson-Curenton, co-artistic director.

1992

  • Gentlemen of the Gospel Choir formed in tribute concert to Martin Luther King, Jr. and Rev. James Cleveland
  • Men and Women of the Gospel Choir established
  • Evelyn Simpson-Curenton named artistic director

1993

  • Children of the Gospel Choir formed

1995

  • Men and Women of the Gospel Choir performs an Evelyn Simpson-Curenton arrangement with the Canadian Brass

1998 – 2000s

  • Men and Women of the Gospel Choir participate in Christmas in Washington and the Kennedy Center Honors

2000

  • First combined Men, Women and Children of the Gospel Choir concert

2001

  • Arphelius Paul Gatling named artistic director 2002 Choir featured among noted jazz legends in 80th birthday celebration for Billy Taylor at the Kennedy Center

2005

  • Choir performs for the opening of The Music Center at Strathmore

2006

  • Indaba, written by Sweet Honey in the Rock, commissioned in honor of Doug Wheeler and performed at the Kennedy Center and Carnegie Hall
  • Choir begins annual Gospel Brunch at University of Maryland
  • Stanley J. Thurston named artistic director

2007

  • Choir performs for the opening of the Shakespeare Theatre Company’s Sidney Harman Hall

2008

  • Washington, D.C. premiere of Done Made My Vow by Adolphus Hailstork
  • Children of the Gospel Choir performs for the inaugural prayer service of President Barack Obama

2011

  • Annual co-presentation of Living the Dream… Singing the Dream begins with the Choral Arts Society of Washington

2012

  • Choir performs for the National Tree Lighting at the White House with President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama
  • Choir performs in DC Jazz Festival Gospel Brunch at The Hamilton
  • Choir performs at the ambassadorial swearing-in ceremony of Gina Abercrombie Winstanley, U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Malta

2013

  • Choir featured on Sirius XM
  • Choir performs Gospel Brunch at the renovated Howard Theatre

2014

  • Choir wins Choral Excellence award from Choralis

2016

  • Washington Performing Arts Gospel Choirs release first album, Why Do We Sing?
  • Choir performs for National Cherry Blossom Festival

2017

  • Theodore Thorpe III named artistic director
  • Choir performs the world premiere of Water by Toshi Reagon

2018

  • Choir performs Gospel Thanksgiving concert at the Duke Ellington School of the Arts

2020

  • Virtual Session

2021

  • Choir performs for the 10th anniversary of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial on the National Mall

2022

  • Men and Women of the Gospel Choir celebrate 30 years