Washington names new chorus chief

The Washington Chorus has named Dr. Eugene Rogers as its fifth artistic director, starting this summer.

Rogers, currently Director of Choirs and Associate Professor at the University of Michigan, will be TWC’s first African-American conductor.

He says:’I never in a million years would have imagined that my journey would bring me back home, even though I am not a DC native. (I am a Virginia native) So coming back and being able to maintain my university life in tandem with The Washington Chorus feels like the absolute perfect relationship on both ends. For me, also the idea of working with a historic chorus that honors the traditions of the past, but also has as a part of their mission to advance choral music in many ways, whether it be through diversity, being inclusive of its members in the chorus, collaborations with our partners or commissioning new voices is important. When I think about my work teaching in the undergraduate program at The University of Michigan, which is a choral/orchestral program, a lot of our time is spent studying the major works. Having this new post with The Washington Chorus along with that feels very symbiotic because the work that I do with The Washington Chorus directly relates to what I am teaching at the university. My students can also be a part of that through various opportunities such as collaborating with the National Symphony Orchestra, as well as other artists in the DC area. It just feels right, like the right thing, right now!’