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.

1993

• Children of the Gospel Choir (COTG) is formed following a city-wide audition for the 300-voice choir with Richard Smallwood as Artistic Director, with special guest Daryl Coley.

1995

• COTG performs at The Kennedy Center Honors with Jessye Norman in tribute to Sidney Poitier.

1996

• Launch of the COTG Vocal Workshop — led by Dr. Walter Turnbull — with Boys Choir of Harlem at the historic Metropolitan Baptist Church.

1997

• COTG sings at the President Swearing in Ceremony of William Jefferson Clinton.
• Children of the Gospel Choir perform at the opening of the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain.
• COTG performs at the African American Civil War Memorial Freedom Foundation’s Unveiling Ceremony of the Spirit of Freedom Memorial Statue.

1999

• COTG performs at the January 2, 1999, Swearing in Ceremony of Washington, D.C., Mayor Anthony Williams.
• Men and Women of the Gospel (MWOTG) and COTG choirs perform at a star-studded tribute to Washington Performing Arts founder Patrick Hayes.

2000

• First combined Men, Women, and Children of the Gospel Choir concert at The Kennedy Center Concert Hall, featuring special guest artists Moses Hogan, Donnie McClurkin, and Regina Belle.

2001

• Washington Performing Arts combined choirs perform at the Paul Robeson Festival at George Mason University.

2003

• Washington Performing Arts combined choirs perform in a memorial concert in honor of Eric Torain at The Kennedy Center with Evelyn Simpson-Curenton as Artistic Director.

2004

• Evelyn Simpson-Curenton and Wesley Boyd named Artistic Directors.

2006

• Indaba, written by Sweet Honey in the Rock, commissioned in honor of Doug Wheeler and performed at The Kennedy Center and Carnegie Hall.
• Stanley J. Thurston named artistic director for Washington Performing Arts Gospel Choirs.

2007

• COTG performs on NBC Today Show in the Fall with an encore performance in December.
• COTG performs with Kathleen Battle in a holiday concert at The Kennedy Center.

2008

• COTG performs at D.C. Mayor’s Arts Awards.
• COTG performs with Step Afrika!

2009

• COTG performs for the Presidential Inaugural Prayer Service for President Barack Obama at the Washington National Cathedral.
• COTG performs at the State Department holiday program for Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
• COTG performs with Kiri Te Kanawa at The Kennedy Center.

2010

• Washington Performing Arts and National Museum of African American History and Culture partner for a community sing concert entitled “Clap Praise” at Baird Auditorium featuring MWOTG and COTG.
• COTG’s first featured appearance in the holiday window unveiling ceremony at Macy’s Metro Center. Michele Fowlin named Music Director.

2011

• First co-presentation of Living the Dream… Singing the Dream begins with the Choral Arts Society of Washington.
• COTG performs the Emancipation Commemoration Ceremony at the National Geographic Museum.

2012

• COTG performs for Black History Month at The White House.
• COTG performs with Mary Mary at the Cherry Blossom Festival Parade.
• COTG performs at the Washington National Cathedral for Martin Luther King Day.
• COTG and StepAfrika! featured at the TEDMED Conference at The Kennedy Center.

2013

• COTG performs Presidential Inaugural Prayer Service for President Barack Obama at Washington National Cathedral.
• COTG performs at The White House National Prayer Service for Easter; with Sara Bareilles; and the National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony.
• COTG performs at the Celebration of Life and Legacy of Nelson Mandela at the Washington National Cathedral.
• COTG performs at the Washington National Opera’s in the Outfield at Nationals Park.

2015

• COTG performs at Anacostia River Festival.
• COTG performs at South African Embassy celebration in honor of Nelson Mandela.
• COTG performs on NPR’s From The Top live recording.
• COTG performs at the historic Howard Theatre holiday concert.
• COTG performs at Memorial Service for Marion Barry at the Washington Convention Center.

2016

• Washington Performing Arts Gospel Choirs release first album, Why Do We Sing?
• COTG performs at The White House at the United States of Women’s Summit and at the State Dinner in honor of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
• COTG performs in collaboration with Company E — world premiere piece “Air” at The Kennedy Center.

2017

• COTG performs at Back-to-School Rally New Frontiers with Nolan Williams, Jr. at The Kennedy Center Millennium Stage.
• COTG attends master class with Denyce Graves.

2018

• Michele Fowlin is named Artistic Director.
• COTG performs at Marion Barry statue dedication ceremony.
• COTG performs at half-time for a Wizards game at Capital One Arena.

2019

• COTG performs in Take Note! Why Music Education Matters: A Panel Discussion Moderated by Renée Fleming (Kennedy Center Sound Health: Music and Mind).
• COTG records with Konshens the MC.
• COTG performs at the Rosa Parks Exhibit at the Library of Congress.
• COTG performs in Gospel Christmas service at the Washington National Cathedral.
• COTG performs with Davoné Tines at the Sphinx Award of Excellence event at the Supreme Court.

2020

• COTG produces “Why Do We Sing” video production during the COVID-19 pandemic.

2021

• Following the 2019 Stay Woke: Still Woke student production, “Freedom in the Midst of Bondage” is created and written by COTG members.
• Choir performs for the 10th anniversary of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial on the National Mall.
• Washington Performing Arts combined choirs perform at The Kennedy Center’s 9/11 20th Anniversary event.

2022

• COTG studio recording for NPR’s From the Top.
• COTG performs in a PBS recording of Tell Me More with Kelly Corrigan at the National Museum of African American History and Culture.
• Season of Hope holiday concert with the U.S. Air Force Band, at DAR Constitution Hall.
• COTG and Men and Women of the Gospel Choir perform in Joyfully Together project with Wolf Trap.
• COTG performs with Matthew Whitaker at the historic Lincoln Theatre.
• COTG performs at the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree Lighting.