History
The Washington Men's Camerata began 40 years ago as a small group of friends with a shared passion for singing. What started as informal gatherings soon blossomed into a dedicated ensemble committed to male choral music. These early enthusiasts laid the foundation for what would become a renowned cultural institution in the DC area, driven by their love of music and camaraderie. Today, the Camerata continues to honor its roots while striving for artistic excellence and community engagement.
The Washington Men's Camerata is founded by Brad Spencer, Jeff Skeer, Ned Goldberg, Audi Peal and John Polanin (Spencer still sings with the group).
The Camerata performs its first concert, under the direction of Ron Freeman, at the National Cathedral School's Hearst Hall.
Under music director Michael Lindstrom, the Camerata performs at the White House.
Under its third music director, Jack Jacobs, the Camerata performs for the first time at the Smithsonian Institution.
Under its fourth music director Thomas Beveridge, the Camerata takes its first road trip, performing in the British and Irish Festival in Norfolk, VA and Bethlehem, PA.
The Camerata sings in Boston at the Harvard Festival of Men's Choruses.
The Camerata makes its first broadcast performances on the National Gallery of Art Concert Series. (The Camerata performed at the National Gallery eight more times during the next ten years.)
The Camerata is one of eight volunteer choruses in the nation to be awarded a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts.
The Camerata releases its first CD (Masters In This Hall) on Gothic.
The Camerata celebrates its tenth anniversary, hires Jeanette Van Winkle as its first arts management professional and makes its first annual performance at the Kennedy Center's Terrace Theater.
The Camerata performs its Russian sacred repertoire for the Metropolitan of Moscow and All of Russia upon his first visit to the U.S.
The Camerata releases its second CD (Over the Sea to Skye) on Gothic featuring bass-baritone John Shirley-Quirk.
The Camerata performs with the National Symphony Orchestra, under guest conductor Christopher Hogwood in the NSO's Mozart Festival at the Kennedy Center's Eisenhower Theater.
The Camerata performs on NPR's “All Things Considered.”
The Camerata establishes (with the cooperation of Yale and Georgetown Universities) a national repository library of men's choral music, to preserve and share music that might otherwise be lost.
The Camerata appears in a “Headliner Concert” at the American Choral Directors Association convention in Providence, RI, and also holds a master class with the renowned professional vocal ensemble Chanticleer.
The Camerata releases its third CD (The Spirit of Freedom) on Gothic.
The Camerata welcomes new music director Frank Albinder.
Camerata receives the first of eight consecutive grants from the National Endowment for the Arts in support of its National Repository Library of Men's Choral Music
The Camerata performs songs of Schubert with the Mark Morris Dance Group at George Mason's Center for the Arts and performed with the United States Army Chorus at the Intercollegiate Men's Choruses National Seminar at Rutgers University.
The Camerata appears at the 2000 Chorus America National Conference in Baltimore in a seminar on male choral singing directed jointly by Frank Albinder and Alice Parker.
The Camerata hosts the acclaimed male professional vocal ensemble Cantus in a concert at the Church of the Epiphany in downtown Washington, DC.
Camerata hosts the acclaimed Harvard Glee Club in a concert at the Kennedy Center's Terrace Theater.
Camerata releases fourth CD “Sing We Noel” (first recording under the direction of the Grammy award winning recording team including Music Director Frank Albinder, producer Steve Barnett and Recording Engineer Preston Smith).
Camerata makes first appearance with the National Symphony Orchestra at Wolf Trap, performing Viennese Opera Choruses under the direction of David Allen Miller.
Camerata performs at the Clarice Smith Center for the Arts in a concert tribute to Langston Hughes, sponsored by the Washington Performing Arts Society.
Camerata performs in the Kennedy Center Concert Hall as guests of the National Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of Marvin Hamlisch, in a tribute to Richard Rodgers.
Camerata performs at the National Gallery of Art as part of the Gallery's festival of American Music.
Camerata recordings of patriotic music featured as part of the PBS television series “Freedom: A History of US” and on two CD releases on the SONY label.
Camerata web page offers men's choruses throughout the world online accessibility to holdings in its National Library of Men's Choral Music.
Camerata performs US premiere of Bohuslav Martinu's last work, The Prophecy of Isaiah.
Music Director Frank Albinder is appointed the American Choral Directors Association's National Chair of Repertoire and Standards for Male Choirs.
Camerata becomes charter member of the Male Chorus Commissioning Consortium, joining 12 other groups in commissioning a new work each year. Initial commissions were composed by Lee Hoiby, Steven Sametz and Gavin Bryars.
Camerata performs world premiere of Joel Hoffman's Sonnet 22, for male chorus and two harps.
Camerata releases Brothers, Sing On! Choral Classics for Men's Voices on the Gothic Records label.
Camerata performs US premiere of Bob Chilcott's Five Ways to Kill a Man at the John F. Kennedy Center's Terrace theater.
The National Repository Library (now called The Demetrius Project) moves to permanent facilities at Joe's Movement Emporium/World Arts Focus in Mt. Rainier, MD. The entire collection is now under one roof for the first time.
Camerata hosts National Seminar for Intercollegiate Men's Choruses, featuring 13 groups and more than 1000 singers and conductors. Frank Albinder is elected president of IMC.
Camerata releases 6th professional recording: When I Was a Young Man: More Classics for Men's Chorus on the Gothic label.
Camerata performs Masonic Music of Mozart with Symphony Orchestra of Arlington at Alexendria's George Washington Masonic Temple.
Camerata gives live studio broadcast Christmas performance on Sirius/XM Satellite Radio.
Camerata sells out its annual Kennedy Center Terrace Theater concert with “The Great American Songbook.”
Camerata performs at National Seminar for Intercollegiate Men's Choruses at Rutgers University.
Camerata performs with National Symphony Orchestra and pianist Garrick Olsson in the NSO's first subscription performance of Busoni's Piano Concerto.
Camerata performs at The Arts Club of Washington, DC on its “Evenings with Extraordinary Artists” Series.
Camerata performs two 30th Anniversary Commissions at its annual Kennedy Center Terrace Theater concert: “Kogarashi — The Winter Wind” by Eric Banks and a new arrangement of “Yerushalayim shel zahav” (“Jerusalem of Gold”) arranged by Alice Parker.
Camerata performs Wagner's “Rienzi” with National Philharmonic Orchestra and Chorus at Strathmore Hall in Rockville, MD.
The Camerata sang at the French Ambassador's home on July 7, 2016, for Bastille Day.
Camerata and Washington Symphonic Brass perform world premiere of new men's chorus arrangement of Vaughan Williams' Dona Nobis Pacem.
During COVID-19 “intermission”, the Camerata posts free virtual seasonal concerts to continue the tradition of sharing exceptional performances of music for men's voices.
Camerata appears on the Library of Congress concert series in a virtual performance recorded during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Camerata premieres the TTBB version of Judith Shatin's La Frontera (The Border).
The Camerata performs for the first time at THEARC Theater in DC.
With the retirement of Frank Albinder, Scott Tucker is selected to be the new artistic director of the Camerata.
The Washington Men's Camerata kicked off a Washington Commanders game with a rousing live performance of the team's fight song, "Hail to the Commanders." This special moment followed the Camerata's collaboration with the Commanders to record a powerful new version of the iconic anthem.
Past Artistic Directors
Since its inception in 1984, we have been led by a succession of visionary Artistic Directors, each contributing his unique expertise and passion to the ensemble. From the founding director's pioneering spirit to the subsequent leaders who shaped its artistic direction, we have thrived under their guidance. These distinguished directors have curated vibrant seasons, pushing artistic boundaries and fostering a rich musical legacy cherished by audiences across the Washington, D.C. region.
Frank Albinder (1999 - 2024)
Frank Albinder came to Washington, DC in 1999 to become the fifth music director of the Washington Men's Camerata. In 2000, he became Music Director of the Woodley Ensemble, a professional chamber choir also based in Washington. He has been the conductor of the Virginia Glee Club at the University of Virginia since 2003. Frank came from the internationally renowned male vocal ensemble Chanticleer, where he served as the group's Associate Conductor in addition to singing with the ensemble. Frank was named Artistic Director Emeritus in 2024 after retiring from the group.
Thomas Beveridge (1989 - 1999)
Thomas Beveridge has had a distinguished career in music, including being the fourth conductor of the Camerata. A graduate of Harvard University, where he studied composition with Walter Piston and Randall Thompson, he also studied and performed with the legendary Nadia Boulanger in France. He was bass soloist of the Harvard Glee Club for four years and later spent twenty years as bass soloist and staff arranger-composer with the U.S. Army Chorus. He currently directs the New Dominion Chorale.
Jack Jacobs (1985 - 1989)
Jack Jacobs became the Camerata's third conductor in 1985, after performing with the group for two years. Mr. Jacobs served as Minister of Music at Christ Episcopal Church on Capitol Hill. He is also an accomplished pianist, organist, and vocal instructor. He has been the organist at the Church of the Disciples and has performed at a variety of other public and private functions.
Michael Lindstrom (1985 - 1985)
Michael Lindstrom was the second conductor of the Washington Men's Camerata. He served in this role for only one concert after the departure of Ron Freeman. He was previously the Assistant Musical Director and Accompanist for the group. He then served the Organist and Choirmaster for the Christ Church Georgetown for 30+ years before retiring in 2015.
Ron Freeman (1984 - 1985)
Ron Freeman was the first conductor of the Men's Camerata. He has extensive choral experience both as a conductor and as a singer. He has conducted several DMV area choruses, including the Prince George's Choral Society and the Ron Freeman Chorale. In addition to these activities, Mr. Freeman was a member of the United States Army Chorus.
