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Get the inside scoop... Established in 1966 and recently 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.
A native New Yorker, Mr. Hemphill attended Manhattan School of Music in New York City and Howard University in Washington, D.C., where his specialties were conducting, theory, and voice. Mr. Hemphill has a wide variety of musical experience to his credit, both in conducting and singing. He has conducted the annual "Messiah-Sing" at the Kennedy Center for four years, and also the popular "Summer Sings." Northern Virginia patrons of the arts will remember his lively conducting of musicals with the Arlington Players. Several years ago he recreated the role of Andy in Scott Joplin's opera Treemonisha at Wolf Trap. Mr. Hemphill has served as an adjudicator and clinician throughout the eastern seaboard including guest appearances at the Virginia State Music Camp and as conductor of the Virginia All-State Chorus. His professional men's chorus -- "Voices of Liberty" -- has received critical acclaim. Mr. Hemphill's recently retired from the United States Army Chorus after nearly 23 years of service. Upon retirement he was awarded the Legion of Merit. Supporting Maestro Hemphill on piano is Laurie Vivona Bunn. A graduate of the Peabody Institute in Baltimore, Ms. Bunn is a versatile musician, collaborating with instrumentalists, singers and dancers. She is a coach for internationally renowned baritone Richard Stilwell, a member of the Fairfax Symphony, and accompanist for several choral groups including The Metropolitan Chorus, Circle Singers and the McLean Choral Society. Ms. Bunn has performed with her husband Michael at the Tanglewood Summer Institute, and with a myriad of recitalists at a variety of venues. Her depth of experience as a keyboardist includes performances at the Kennedy Center in Washington Opera productions and as guest soloist with Bowen/McCauley Dance. Carol Dunlap, Managing Director, has been involved as a singer with choral music since the age of eight. She was a singer and officer of the board of directors with the Fairfax Choral Society for 25 years, and was Managing Director from June 1996 to November 2001. Ms. Dunlap joined The Metropolitan Chorus as its first Managing Director in December 2001. She was a semi-finalist for the Washington Council of Agencies' Shayne Leadership Award in 2001. In January 2003 she served as a panelist on volunteer leadership in the arts for Leadership Arlington, a ten-month program which brings together Arlington leaders in the business, non-profit and public sectors in a form which they can experience issues and opportunities facing Arlington. Ms. Dunlap also serves as organist at St. John's Episcopal Church in Arlington. Support for The Metropolitan Chorus comes from Arlington County's Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Resources, Cultural Affairs Division; grants from the Arlington Commission for the Arts and the Virginia Commission for the Arts; and contributions from individuals like you. TMC is a member of the United Arts Organization. If you would like to donate to The Metropolitan Chorus through the Combined Federal Campaign and our United Way and CFC designation number is 8681.
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