Chasing More Than Perfection in the Recording Studio
For the first time since 2009, DC community chorus, Washington Men’s Camerata, has released new studio recordings. Now streaming globally are six diverse songs recorded on a Kensington, Maryland soundstage, directed by Scott Tucker with collaborative pianist Grace Cho.
Artist Director Scott Tucker shares, “Recording in a studio is an entirely different experience than concerts,” which the Camerata gives year-round, throughout the DMV-area. “It creates an expectation of perfection that can inhibit performers from the spontaneity and risk-taking that a good performance requires. In the midst of a painstaking session, it’s easy to get bogged down by details and lose the natural flow of a song, so in addition to chasing perfection, it’s important to laugh, dance, and let go of the anxiety and tension that can build up. These tracks reflect the Camerata's ability to focus on the details while keeping the spirit of the music alive.”
For the first time since 2009, DC community chorus, Washington Men’s Camerata, has released new studio recordings. Now streaming globally are six diverse songs recorded on a Kensington, Maryland soundstage, directed by Scott Tucker with collaborative pianist Grace Cho.
Artist Director Scott Tucker shares, “Recording in a studio is an entirely different experience than concerts,” which the Camerata gives year-round, throughout the DMV-area. “It creates an expectation of perfection that can inhibit performers from the spontaneity and risk-taking that a good performance requires. In the midst of a painstaking session, it’s easy to get bogged down by details and lose the natural flow of a song, so in addition to chasing perfection, it’s important to laugh, dance, and let go of the anxiety and tension that can build up. These tracks reflect the Camerata's ability to focus on the details while keeping the spirit of the music alive.”
At the River is a hymn written by Baptist minister Robert Lowry in 1868. The tune traveled globally to become an integral part of other cultures, such as a Swedish revivalist tune turned drinking song, a German Christmas carol, and a Japanese pop hit! It was published in 1950 as part of Aaron Copland's set of Old American Songs, alongside Simple Gifts, which is attributed to Shaker elder Joseph Brackett as an 1848 publication, long before Copland used the tune in his 1944 ballet, Appalachian Spring, choreographed by Martha Graham. The tempo is set at a “quietly floating” 72 beats per minute. However, historian Daniel Patterson describes the original tempo at a much more lively 106 bpm, reminiscent of the dancing and trembling Protestant worshipers of the Shaker sect.
“Dance, dance, spin around, but don't break the stove, because it is cold and not everyone has a blanket!” So reads the translation of the fun Slovak and Czech song, Tancuj, Tancuj. This folksong can often be heard at weddings and festivals and is arranged here for tenors and basses by Václav Kálik.
On the more modern side of sacred music is the Camerata’s recording of The Word Was God, crafted by one of the most acclaimed female choral composers in the US, the prolific Rosephanye Powell. Published in 1997, and what may be called a modern spiritual, it uses text from the biblical Book of John and sets it afire! It’s rhythmic, fierce, and filled with brilliant melodic imitation. This was Powell’s first published piece in a long line of successful works.
Who is He in Yonder Stall is a stunning Robert H. Young setting of a cherished winter carol. Young was Professor of Music and Choral Director at Baylor University from 1962-1993, where he published this arrangement of an 1866 nativity hymn written by minister, educator, and abolitionist Benjamin Russell Hanby. Even more famous is Hanby’s classic Christmas jingle, Up on the House Top, written a few years before.
The Camerata recorded another song by Young, Now Sleeps the Crimson Petal, a textual setting from the Alfred, Lord Tennyson poem, The Princess. It conveys the desire, tenderness, and tranquility of a midnight tryst! This is a favorite piece of tenor Leo Gutierrez, a volunteer singer in the chorus. He says, “It perfectly captures an evening wrapped in rich harmonies, with voices whispering as stars shine over an intimate night sky. Its beauty, elegance, and serenity make it hard to shake from my mind.”
Beyond the notes, these recordings carry a lasting legacy: over 40 years of dedication supported by talented singers, generous donors—the Camerata being a 501c3 nonprofit—and a vibrant arts community. Listening to the releases, the sheer depth and richness of the sound stand as a testament to every single minute invested in the studio. Capturing that blend on digital platforms is no small feat. Gutierrez says, “It reflects the resonant harmony of voices coming together as one—anchored by our pianist's flawless touch, guided by our director’s artistic vision, and held together, seamlessly, by dedicated production. Standing shoulder-to-shoulder with such an admirable group of musicians, sharing hard work and laughter, is a genuine privilege—one that leaves an undeniable mark on everyone who listens.”
These are the first of several annual recording sessions to come for the Camerata. Learn more and stream at camerata.com or on Spotify, Apple, Amazon, YouTube, and more.
Chorus America — The Voice
Expanding the Choral Music Archive: The Demetrius Project and Boulanger Initiative Washington Men’s Camerata’s Demetrius Project is featured in Chorus America’s The Voice, Summer 2026.
Expanding the Choral Music Archive: The Demetrius Project and Boulanger Initiative Washington Men’s Camerata’s Demetrius Project is featured in Chorus America’s The Voice, Summer 2026.
A Heart Awakening Sound from our Village Neighbor David Glass A Neighbor in Perfect Pitch This longtime Village resident finds purpose, friendship and fulfillment through the unifying power of song. by Shauna Osborne
A Heart Awakening Sound from our Village Neighbor David Glass A Neighbor in Perfect Pitch This longtime Village resident finds purpose, friendship and fulfillment through the unifying power of song. by Shauna Osborne
Washington Men’s Camerata Brings Singing & More to Breweries & Historic Locations Around the DMV Area
August 1, 2025 (Washington, DC) – Washington Men’s Camerata announces a 2025-2026 concert season at venues entirely new to the chorus, aiming to reach new, broader audiences and incorporating multidisciplinary art elements. From joining two chamber music series to self-producing six concerts and educational partnerships, the nonprofit organization is spanning DC, Maryland, and Virginia. With 60 singers ranging in age from their 20s to 80s, the group is expanding its programming at a time when arts budgets are being drastically slashed despite the essential value of the arts to well-being and quality of life.
Washington Men’s Camerata Brings Singing & Arts to Breweries & Historic Locations Around DMV Area
August 1, 2025 (Washington, DC) – Washington Men’s Camerata announces a 2025-2026 concert season at venues entirely new to the chorus, aiming to reach new, broader audiences and incorporating multidisciplinary art elements. From joining two chamber music series to self-producing six concerts and educational partnerships, the nonprofit organization is spanning DC, Maryland, and Virginia. With 60 singers ranging in age from their 20s to 80s, the group is expanding its programming at a time when arts budgets are being drastically slashed despite the essential value of the arts to well-being and quality of life.
Artistic Director Scott Tucker says, “I’ve been directing choruses for five decades now. I’ve seen the act of singing change lives for the better, and even save some. I’ve seen countless audience members tear up when they hear just the right sound at just the right moment. I’ve been privileged to witness the power of music and to know it for myself. With funding cuts, the free expression of music is under threat at a time when we need it the most.”
Chorus singer Mike Crump says, “Being able to set troubles aside for just a few hours each week and focus on creating music within this supportive community has revitalized my sense of self.”
Pianist Grace Cho joins the team this season, which starts with the Camerata recording music for the first time since 2009 when they released their sixth commercial album. Songs from recent performances will be recorded at Blue House Productions in Kensington, MD and distributed on streaming platforms.
December brings Christmas concerts with their robust voices ringing with the warmth of the holiday spirit. From chant to spirituals, cantatas to carols–music from across the centuries, celebrating the season of joy, love, and giving. Theatrical lighting and guest instrumentalists amplify the music December 13 at 7:30pm at St. Peter’s Church on Capitol Hill (suggested donation $35), and December 14 at 3pm at St. Bernadette Catholic Church in Silver Spring, Maryland (tickets $35, students free). Managing Director Jonathon Hampton says, “Southeast DC and Montgomery County, Maryland are some of the most diverse areas in the country, with long-standing appreciation for the arts, so we want to welcome them into our choral circle and are excited to expand into those arts communities.”
Education being a crucial value of the Camerata, creating a pipeline for the next generation of tenors and basses is a priority. All their concerts are free for students, and they include annual partnerships with youth choruses. February 21 they join a festival of young voices hosted by Landon School in Bethesda, Maryland and conductor Mark Wu. His Strathmore Youth Chorus, plus Whitman High School, Pyle Middle School, and clinician Stephen Holmes of Maryland State Boy Choir all come together for this regional workshop. The Camerata also continues its collaboration with the Young Men’s Ensemble of the Children’s Chorus of Washington, which includes combined rehearsals and concert.
With camaraderie at the core of their ensemble, the Camerata performs (responsible) drinking songs in March. Their concert entitled Cheers! includes sea chanties, glees, opera choruses, folk songs, and more from across time and culture. Atlas Brew Works, with a mission to simply bring people together over delicious craft beer, hosts a short preview performance March 8 at 4pm at their Alexandria taproom. Right Proper Brewing Company hosts at its brewpub in DC’s Shaw area, on St. Patrick’s Day, March 17 at 7:30pm The family-owned brewery is committed to creating a brand and community space for people who call DC home; a gathering place for the community that evokes conversation with good music and art-lined walls. Supporting local business and the nonprofit that is the Camerata, these free performances are sure to fill seats and bellies. Suggested donation $10.
March 21 at 7:30pm, the Camerata dons their tuxedoes for a more formal, full concert rendition of libationary songs at The First Baptist Church of the City of Washington, DC. This, the new home of the chorus, has become a center for music in the center of the District, between the Dupont Circle and Logan Circle neighborhoods. A new addition to Camerata concerts has been poetry readings, garnering submissions from as far as California. This year’s call for artists aims to present local writers in person.
Also in Northwest DC, The Westchester, a historic complex of co-operative apartments, hosts the Camerata March 23 as part of their monthly concert series showcasing local talent. Built in 1931, this grand residence presents an array of soloists and small ensembles in a self-produced concert series that’s a highlight for its residents. Look to find the Camerata singing at civic and sporting events, from caroling to singing the National Anthem.
May 31 at 7:30pm, celebrating the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, the choir presents This Is America! examining all aspects of the US music from the past 250 years, with sacred music in gospel, jazz, and classical forms. Rendering that history visually will be a live painter, interpreting the performance onto a giant canvas in front of the audience’s eyes. St. Ann Catholic Church, in DC’s Tenleytown, hosts as part of their beloved concert series, free with a $35 suggested donation.
This concert season is pivotal to the organization, which just passed the 40 year mark and looks to continue improving and expanding, with a vision to be the most accomplished and sought-after men’s chorus in the country. Washington Men’s Camerata celebrates the unique beauty and power of men’s choral music by consistently pursuing artistic excellence; expanding the breadth of its music, membership, and audiences; and building community among its members and friends. Learn more, get tickets, and support at camerata.com.
Christmas with the Camerata
Sat, 12/13/25 at 7:30pm • St. Peter’s Church on Capitol Hill, 313 2nd St SE, Washington, DC • suggested donation $35
Sun, 12/14/25 at 3pm • St. Bernadette Catholic Church, 70 University Blvd E, Silver Spring, MD • $0-$35
Cheers!
Sun, 3/8/26 at 4pm • Atlas Brew Works, 2429 Mandeville Ln, Alexandria, VA • suggested donation $10
Tue, 3/17/26 at 7:30pm • Right Proper Brewing Company, 624 T St NW, Washington, DC • suggested donation $10
Sat, 3/21/26 at 7:30pm • The First Baptist Church of the City of Washington, DC, 1328 16th St NW, Washington, DC • $0-$35
This Is America!
Sun, 5/31/26 at 7:30pm • St. Ann Catholic Church, 4001 Yuma Street NW, Washington, DC • suggested donation $35
ABOUT WASHINGTON MEN’S CAMERATA
Washington Men's Camerata, directed by Scott Tucker, is DC's premier chorus performing, promoting, and preserving diverse tenor and bass choral music and camaraderie since 1984. The Camerata has sung at The Kennedy Center, The White House, Capital One Arena, Smithsonian institutions, National Gallery of Art, Wolf Trap, Strathmore, and across the region; alongside National Symphony Orchestra, The U.S. Army Chorus, Washington Symphonic Brass, Mark Morris Dance Group, Symphony Orchestra of Northern Virginia, and on NPR, PBS, and SiriusXM. The Camerata has recorded six albums and the Washington Commanders fight song. A 501(c)(3) nonprofit, the organization regularly commissions and premieres pieces that become part of their national lending library of sheet music, The Demetrius Project, with over 200,000 scores of 3,300 works.
Washington Men’s Camerata Kicks Off 40th Season With Commanders Fight Song
This song is copyrighted by the NFL. Any other use of this content without the consent of the NFL is prohibited.
October 3, 2024 (Washington, DC) – Washington Men's Camerata, a chorus in the nation's Capital for four decades, today revealed that it is the hearty, mellifluous sound behind the latest official version of the Washington Commanders fight song, "Hail to the Commanders." They will perform the song live with the Commanders Marching Band before the team's home game against the Cleveland Browns on October 6, 2024.
This song is copyrighted by the NFL. Any other use of this content without the consent of the NFL is prohibited.
October 3, 2024 (Washington, DC) – Washington Men's Camerata, a chorus in the nation's Capital for four decades, today revealed that it is the hearty, mellifluous sound behind the latest official version of the Washington Commanders fight song, "Hail to the Commanders." They will perform the song live with the Commanders Marching Band before the team's home game against the Cleveland Browns on October 6, 2024.
The Camerata recorded the song with the Commanders Band, led by Commanders Music Director Jeffrey Dokken. Hear it at camerata.com in both orchestrated and a cappella versions. The Camerata will perform the song live, with the Commanders' Marching Band, in Legenda Plaza at Northwest Stadium at 11:55 am this Sunday.
"It's tempting to say this recording has put us in a new league," said Camerata Artistic Director Scott Tucker. "It was an ideal collaboration between two long-standing DC institutions. We can't imagine the nation's Capital without the Commanders and we're honored to be chosen as their partners in musical tradition."
"It's been an honor to partner with Washington Men's Camerata on the latest rendition of our fight song," said Darius Smith, Sr. Director of Game Presentation and Entertainment, Washington Commanders. "With a long, storied legacy in the DC area, the Camerata's vocals will now be part of our gameday experience and in the spotlight for Commanders fans at Northwest Stadium this season. We look forward to having them perform with the Commanders Band ahead of our next home game on October 6."
The Camerata is celebrating its 40th season, which will begin with holiday concerts on December 14 and 15.
About Washington Men's Camerata
Washington Men’s Camerata, directed by Scott Tucker, is DC’s premier tenor and bass chorus performing, promoting, and preserving diverse choral music and camaraderie since 1984. The Camerata has performed at The Kennedy Center, The White House, Smithsonian, National Gallery of Art, Capital One Arena, Wolf Trap, Strathmore, and across the region–alongside National Symphony Orchestra, The U.S. Army Chorus, Washington Symphonic Brass, Mark Morris Dance Group, Symphony Orchestra of Northern Virginia, and on NPR, PBS, and SiriusXM. A 501(c)(3) organization, the Camerata has recorded six albums and regularly commissions and premieres pieces, part of a national lending library of low-voice sheet music, The Demetrius Project, with over 200,000 scores of 3,300 works. camerata.com
