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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Choralis Foundation Celebrates the Legacy of Founding Artistic Director Gretchen Kuhrmann as Retirement is Announced
Falls Church, Virginia — July 1, 2025 — After more than 25 remarkable years of service, Maestra Gretchen Kuhrmann, the Founder and Artistic Director of the Choralis Foundation, has announced her retirement following the 2025 – 2026 season. Under her visionary leadership, the organization has grown from two small local ensembles into a highly regarded arts institution known for its artistic excellence, advancement of the arts throughout the National Capital Region, support for local and national charitable causes, and impactful performances of choral and orchestral works.
Since its inception in 2000, Choralis has become a cultural cornerstone, uniting musicians and audiences alike through performances that inspire, educate, and enrich the community.
Maestra Kuhrmann’s commitment to fostering talent and building a sense of shared purpose has shaped the organization into what it is today — a testament to the power of music to bring people together.
“It has been the privilege of a lifetime to lead this incredible group of musicians,” said Maestra Kuhrmann. “What began as a dream to create a space for community and artistic expression has grown into something far beyond my expectations. I am endlessly grateful to every singing member, orchestral player, vocal soloist, supporter, and audience member who has been part of this journey.”
During Maestra Kuhrmann’s tenure, Choralis has:
• Performed at prestigious venues like the Kennedy Center; the Music Center at Strathmore; Capital One Hall; Washington National Cathedral; the Nikolaikirche in Leipzig, Germany; Annenkirche in Dresden, Germany; the Belgian Embassy in Washington, D.C.; the Library of Congress; and National Presbyterian Church.
• Performed for the Chorus America annual conference in Washington, D.C. in 2014.
• Commissioned and/or premiered original works by Bob Chilcott, Cecilia McDowell, Francis Pott, Diedre Robinson, Trevor Manor, and Gary Davison.
• Accelerated the musical careers of numerous conducting fellows and composers-in- residence, including Jeffrey Benson (San José State University), Sarah Frook Gallo (Lehigh University), Karin Hendrickson (Royal Northern Sinfonia, Royal Ballet), Grace Cho (New Orchestra of Washington, ArtsRising), and composer Trevor Manor (Hinshaw and Beckenhorst Press).
• Launched local, national, and international singing careers for countless artists.
• Created the Ovation Awards for the greater Washington, D.C. area, recognizing outstanding work and excellence in the local choral music scene, including the prestigious J. Reilly Lewis Award for Outstanding Contributions to Choral Music.
• Established outreach programs and raised funds for underserved communities through partnerships with altruistic programs, including Facets, Music4Life, WATER, Operation First Response Backpack Program, and Lion’s Club Recycled Glasses Program.
As Maestra Kuhrmann prepares to step down, plans are underway for a farewell concert on May 17, 2026, to honor her legacy and celebrate the impact she has made on the international, national, and regional arts communities. Featured works will include the Finale to Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 and William Walton’s Belshazzar’s Feast, as well as tributes from current and former chorus members and other musicians.
The Choralis Foundation’s Board of Directors has selected Mr. Todd Fickley as the new artistic director, who will build on Maestra Kuhrmann’s exceptional work and guide the organization into its next chapter. Maestra Kuhrmann will continue to serve on the board in an emeritus capacity for the foreseeable future.
About Todd Fickley
A native Washingtonian, Todd Fickley is the Organist of National Presbyterian Church and founder of “The Bach Project.” He is the long-time protégé of the late Bach expert Dr. J. Reilly Lewis, having served as his Artistic Assistant at both the Washington Bach Consort and the Cathedral Choral Society.
Equally comfortable at the podium, harpsichord, piano, and organ, his career spans over
30 years performing across the United States, Europe, and Israel. He collaborates with a wide variety of ensembles, such as the National Symphony Orchestra, the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, The Washington Ballet, the National Philharmonic, the Three Notch’d Road baroque ensemble, and many of the area’s largest choruses. He also performs frequently as part of the innovative Seipp/Fickley Trumpet and Organ Duo.
At the age of 23, Mr. Fickley was made a Fellow of the American Guild of Organists (AGO). He also holds the AGO Choirmaster Diploma as well as the M.A. in Organ Performance with High Distinction from the University of Wales. A prize-winning organist and specialist in the music of
J.S. Bach, Mr. Fickley has been featured numerous times on NPR and PRI. He launched “The Bach Project,” a cycle of concerts performing all of Bach’s organ works. The first album on the MSR Classics label was praised in Fanfare Magazine as “some of the most enthralling Bach organ playing you are likely to hear anywhere by anyone.” The Project took him to Germany in 2015 and 2018 to research and perform on historic organs.
Mr. Fickley is frequently seen as conductor, soloist, accompanist, and speaker in the Washington, D.C. metro area. He is an Officer in the Order of St. John and a member of the National Society of Washington Family Descendants and Sons of the American Revolution.
About Choralis
Choralis was established by Artistic Director Gretchen Kuhrmann in 2000 to nurture a passion for choral music through excellent choral performances, professional development opportunities for young soloists and conductors, education and training for young choristers, and community outreach events. Nearly 100 singers perform across two ensembles: Choralis, an auditioned SATB chorus, and Ēchos, a semi-professional chamber group. Lauded by reviewers for The Washington Post and other publications, Choralis annually presents a season of choral masterworks as well as works by contemporary composers and world music.
Media Contact: Derek Walker Chorus President
cderekwalker@gmail.com 703.244.7188
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