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