Established in 1966 and recognized in the U.S. Congressional Record, The Metropolitan Chorus makes its home in Arlington, Virginia. The Chorus provides Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia residents an opportunity to hear great choral works...and perform!

Today, the 100-voice Chorus presents concerts featuring music of all ages, from the renaissance to the 21st century, with a strong emphasis on American composers.

The Metropolitan Chorus regularly performs in venues throughout the D.C. area, including the Kennedy Center, Constitution Hall and the National Building Museum. They also join forces with other musical organizations for unique performances and presents several free concerts each year as a special service to the community.

Barry S. Hemphill has been the Artistic Director of The Metropolitan Chorus since 1977. A native New Yorker, Mr. Hemphill graduated from Manhattan School of Music in New York City where his specialties were conducting, theory, and voice. He is the son of Shelton "Scad" Hemphill who played first trumpet for Louis "Satchmo" Armstrong and Duke Ellington, among others, and he claims Billie Holliday as one of his babysitters.

Mr. Hemphill has a wide variety of musical experience to his credit including conducting singing, composing and arranging for voice and instrumentation. He retired from the United States Army (U.S. Army Band & Chorus) in 1991, ending his career as Sergeant Major of the Chorus after nearly 23 years of service as baritone soloist and conductor. Upon retirement he was presented with the Legion of Merit -- awarded for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements.

Mr. Hemphill has conducted the massively popular and annual Messiah sing at the Kennedy Center since 1994. This yearly Washington event attracts more than 3,000 amateur and professional singers worldwide. He also serves as an adjudicator and clinician throughout the United States. Since 1983 the First Presbyterian Church of Arlington has benefited from his direction where a strong music program contributes to a growing congregation with significant community involvement.

Supporting Maestro Hemphill on piano is Terry Sisk.

Terry Sisk, a native of Leesburg, Virginia, earned a degree in piano performance from Florida Southern College and studied organ in Germany at the Julius-Maximilians-Ьniversitдt (Wьrzburg) with Gьnther Jena. Terry has served as accompanist for several community choruses, including the Reston Chorale, Vienna Choral Society and Fairfax Choral Society.

Mr. Sisk was Dean of the Northern Virginia Chapter of the American Guild of Organists from 1996-1998 and has been a faculty member of the Potomac Organ Institute. Since 1991 He has served Vienna Presbyterian Church in Vienna, Virginia, where he is organist, handbell director and manager of its resident string orchestra. He is organist for the Northern Virginia Hebrew Congregation, as well. Aside from musical interests, he owns a travel company that specializes in musical performance tours of Europe, Canada and South America.

Claudia Morales

Claudia Morales, our new Managing Director, joins us after working at the GW’s Lisner Auditorium, The Smithsonian Freer and Sackler Gallery, and Fairfax County Recreation Department.  Mrs. Morales holds a B.A. in Theater from the Catholic University of Lima, Peru.  In addition, she holds a B.I.S. with concentration in Arts Management and is currently working on her M.A. in Arts Management at the George Mason University.  Morales brings all her passion and expertise in arts management and is looking forward to a wonderful and exciting journey with The Metropolitan Chorus.