The Library of Congress – Washington D.C.’s prestigious cultural institution – invited the Choir to perform in their auditorium as part of a season to celebrate American composer Iriving Fine.  The chance to visit and perform in the USA’s capital – irrespective of whether or not we were fans of the West Wing or House of Cards – was too exciting an opportunity to miss.

Our short tour began with performance in the Library’s Coolidge Auditorium to a packed house that included Irving Fine’s family, receiving a fantastic review in the Washington Post the following day.  The two days that we spent in the city warranted a whistle-stop visit of as many Smithsonian museums, governing institutions and monuments as possible, culminating, of course, with The White House (NB: our complimentary ticket for Mr. Obama was unfortunately not taken up).

 

We later ventured to the beautiful European-esque state of Maryland, before our final stop in New York City to perform for an Alumni Dinner for Clare College in a beautiful exclusive club on Madison Avenue.  This relaxed performance as part of a refined setting enabled us to have plenty of time to spend in the Big Apple, taking in the sights and getting those all-important Christmas presents ahead of our return to Blighty!