The DC Strings Quintet performs a program of works in honor of the Frederick Douglass Bicentennial. The program includes works from Bach, Mozart, and Nathan Carter.

Vaughan Octavia & Drea Mast violins, Jacob Dennis viola, Nneka Lyn cello, & Sanjay Arora bass. 

Guest artists Andrew Lee (piano) & Daniel Rich (baritone) join the quintet. 

Conductor Stanley Thurston leads DC Strings in a stirring program of music commemorating the life and legacy of Frederick Douglass. Inspired by Douglass' time in Ireland with Holst's St. Paul Suite, the Suk Serenade for Strings, and several spirituals. Soprano soloist Brittany Johnson and Baritone Aaron Reeder join DC Strings in concert.

"The Lion of Anacostia"

Celebrate 200 Years of the Life and Legacy of Frederick Douglass

From the National Perk Service:

February 2018 makes it 200 years since Frederick Douglass was born into this world. Born enslaved, he sought his freedom and against all odds, rose to a life of honor by becoming a statesman, journalist, activist, hero and so much more. 
Join the National Park Service for a yearlong commemoration as we honor the history of Douglass's life, his connection to the community and his commitment to social justice. 

The grand bicentennial kickoff weekend will be held on Saturday, February 17, and Sunday, February 18, 2018 at Frederick Douglass National Historic Site in historic Anacostia, Washington D.C.

Conductor Stanley Thurston leads DC Strings in a stirring program of music commemorating the life and legacy of Frederick Douglass. Inspired by Douglass' time in Ireland with Holst's St. Paul Suite, the Suk Serenade for Strings, and several spirituals. Soprano soloist Shirli Hughes and Baritone Aaron Reeder join DC Strings in concert.

"The Lion of Anacostia"

Celebrate 200 Years of the Life and Legacy of Frederick Douglass

From the National Perk Service:

February 2018 makes it 200 years since Frederick Douglass was born into this world. Born enslaved, he sought his freedom and against all odds, rose to a life of honor by becoming a statesman, journalist, activist, hero and so much more. 
Join the National Park Service for a yearlong commemoration as we honor the history of Douglass's life, his connection to the community and his commitment to social justice. 

The grand bicentennial kickoff weekend will be held on Saturday, February 17, and Sunday, February 18, 2018 at Frederick Douglass National Historic Site in historic Anacostia, Washington D.C.

DC Strings Violinist Alexander Powell performs, Mozart Sonata #6, accompanied by Andrew Lee. 

Join the National Park Service (NPS) and the Association for the Study of African American Life and History, Inc. (ASALH) in celebration of the 142nd anniversary of the birth of Dr. Carter G. Woodson--the Father of African American history!

Highlights of the program will include: "Music of Woodson" by D.C. Strings, actor Dexter William Hamlett will be on hand to portray Dr. Woodson, remarks from ASALH and Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., and an update on the Carter G. Woodson Home NHS by the NPS.  Dr. Pero G. Dagbovie, author of "Carter G. Woodson in Washington, D.C.: The Father of Black History" and professor of African American history and Associate Dean of The Graduate School, Michigan State University, will be the keynote speaker.

This event is free and open to the public.

https://www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/event-listing.htm?eventID=BEFA6C1D-1DD8-B71B-0BA761A53D9B0B3B

Dr. Kevin O'Brien leads the Messiah Chamber Orchestra in a stirring holiday presentation of Handel's Messiah. 

Join the DC Strings orchestra for an exciting night of music featuring young student-artisits from our 1st Annual Concerto Audition. Works of Suk, Schubert, and Haydn are scheduled to be performed.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/dc-strings-fall-concerto-concert-2-tickets-38085460638?aff=erelpanelorg

Soloist(s)

1. Raycurt Johnson (1st Prize Winner) & Peter Clamp - Vivaldi Concerto for Two Violins in a-minor

2. Kevin Jones (3rd Prize Winner) - Dvorak's Cello Concerto in B minor, Op. 104

Join the DC Strings orchestra for an exciting night of music featuring young student-artisits from our 1st Annual Concerto Audition. Works of Suk, Schubert, and Haydn are scheduled to be performed.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/dc-strings-fall-concerto-concert-1-tickets-38085213900

Soloist(s)

1.  Michael Rogers (Grand Prize Winner) - Vivaldi Sopranino Concerto in C major

2. Kevin Shu (2nd Prize Winner) - Chopin's 2nd Piano Concerto

DC Strings Artistic Director Andrew Lee (piano) and Raycurt Johnson (violin) perform in honor of St. Philip's 130th Anniversary Celebration. 

Works include: excerpts from Handel's Messiah & Rachmanioff's Vocalise

DC Strings Summer Concert series continues with a performance directed by L.A. conductor Ahmed Alabaca, on Sunday July 2, 2017 at 2pm at St. Columba’s Episcopal Church, 4201 Albemarle St, NW.

The program will include works of by Beethoven, Britten and Saint-George. 
Free Admission. Donations welcome. 
DC Strings Workshop is a non-profit organization composed of young amateur, semi-professional, and professional musicians under the leadership of founding artistic director Andrew Lee.  

DC Strings Summer Concert series continues with a performance directed by L.A. conductor Ahmed Alabaca, on Saturday, July 1, 2017 at 2pm at Sts. Monica St. James 222 8th St NE. 

The program will include works of by Beethoven, Britten and Saint-George. 
Free Admission. Donations welcome. 
DC Strings Workshop is a non-profit organization composed of young amateur, semi-professional, and professional musicians under the leadership of founding artistic director Andrew Lee.  

DC Strings Artistic Director Andrew Lee appears on DC's WPFW 89.3FM, "The Empower Hour", with host DeShauna Spencer. Listen in as he discusses the history of DC Strings, the inspiration and how important it is for classical music to be accessible to all. 

DC Strings Artistic Director Andrew Lee joined the Frederick Douglass Memorial and Historical Association (FDMHA) in a pre-bicentennial event at the Frederick Douglass home. In 2018, the world will celebrate the Bicentennial birth of Frederick Douglass.

To mark this occasion (FDMHA) donated 250 hard copies of the special Bicentennial edition of the "Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass: An American Slave", written by Frederick Douglass and produced by the Frederick Douglass Family Initiatives. These books purchased by FDMHA will be distributed to students in the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia.

Kenny Morris, the great-great-great grandson of Frederick Douglass and Co-Founder of (FDFI) was on hand to meet with students, chat, take photos and help with book distribution. 

Members of DC Strings were honored to perform and commemorate the life and legacy of Thurgood Marshall (1908-1993), Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court.

This service celebrates Thurgood Marshalls long-standing commitment to as a civil rights advocate and drummajor for justice. 

The 2009 General Convention of the Episcopal Church strongly urged through a resolution that Justice Marshall should be added to the Church’s liturgical calendar. May 17, the date of the court’s historic decision in Brown v. Board of Education, has been designated as his feast day and final approval is expected at the 2018 General Convention.

The church service will begin promptly at 9:30 a.m. The Rev. Martha K. Clark, Rector of St. Augustine’s Episcopal Church will conduct the service. Mrs. Cecilia Suyat Marshall. Justice Marshall’s widow, is a member of St. Augustine’s and serves on the Altar Guild. 

Members of DC Strings Ensemble
(From Left to Right)
Raycurt Johnson, violin
Jeremiah Welch, cello
Andrew Lee, violin
Brittany Allen, flute

DC Strings Artistic Director Andrew Lee, joins the Howard University Symphony Orchestra in a concert of Haydn's Military Symphony, Beethoven's Egmont, and a suite of beautiful Mozart Arias. 

Members of DC Strings were invited to perform with the Howard University Orchestra and Chorus, for a Sunday sermon by legendary civil-rights activist VERNON JORDAN. 

Sunday, April 23rd at Rankin Chapel, under the direction of Dr. James Weldon Norris, Howard University Music Professor Emeritus, the joint Howard University and Rankin Chapel Choirs perform "Sanctus."

Watch a video of our performance at the link below:

https://www.facebook.com/friendsofandrewrankinchapel/videos/1041637472605178/

Members of the DC Strings workshop orchestra perform several beautiful Mozart church sonatas. The Saint Monica Saint James (SMSJEC) Episcopal Choir will accompany the group, under the direction of church organist Daniel Elmer. 

Accomplished violinist and DC Strings Member, Somer Taylor collaborates with pianist Andrew Lee in a lush program, ranging from early classical to ragtime inspired works.

RSVP for your FREE seat. 

Somer Taylor, violin
Andrew Lee, piano

J.S. Bach / Sheep May Safely Graze
J.S. Bach / Air on the G-String
C. Debussy / Clair de Lune
F. Handel / Arrival of the Queen of Sheba
S. Joplin / Bethena
J. Massenet / Meditation from Thais

 

A classical concert featuring members of the DC Strings.

Detra Battle, sings "I Gotta My Home" 
(Photo by Nate Pesce, Baltimore Sun)

This concert will feature classical works and a popular African-American spiritual, "Going Home," with world-renowned guest soprano Detra Battle.

Chevalier St. Georges: Op1. No1

Grieg: Holberg Suite, Mvmts 1,2, 4

Dvorak "Home" from the 2nd movement New World Symphony ( arrangement)

Mozart - Divertimento in D Major  

Massenett - Meditation from Thais, featuring DC violinist Raycurt Johnson

 222 8th St NE, Washington, DC 20002

D.C. Strings joins the Ottley School of Music & Monroe School of Music in a program featuring the works of black composers. 

D.C. Strings will perform String Quartet No.1 by Afro-French composer, Chevalier de Saint-Georges. 

DC Strings joins the Metropolitan A.M.E. Choir in several sacred hymns during the church service.