The Heritage Signature Chorale is committed to preserving, at the highest possible level, the performance art tradition of African American choral music, especially the Negro Spiritual; to elevating the African American singer and composer in all musical genres; and to bringing a unique interpretation of classical music from America, Europe, and other regions of the world.

Founded in 2000 by Stanley Thurston, The Heritage Signature Chorale (HSC) is an independent Washington, DC based choral arts organization. It is made up of 85 volunteer choristers, and a roster of professional singers, pianists, associate and guest conductors; serving demographics throughout the District, Maryland, and Virginia (DMV).

Highlights of recent seasons include Porgy & Bess: A Concert of Songs with the NSO Pops, Steven Reineke conducting, soloists Alicia Hall Moran and Norm Lewis; performing as the Chorus with NSO Pops, in the film screening of “Get Out", at the John F. Kennedy Center Concert Hall and performing Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony with the NSO for the opening of The Kennedy Center REACH. HSC performed Leonard Bernstein’s Mass, with Will Liverman and the National Symphony Orchestra, James Gaffigan conducting, as part of the 50^th Anniversary Celebration of the Opening of The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts; R. Nathaniel Dett’s The Ordering of Moses, in collaboration with the IN Series, here in D.C., Adolphus Hailstork’s Done Made My Vow and Duke Ellington’s Sacred Concert at Washington National Cathedral, in collaboration with the Cathedral Choral Society, as part of our “I, Too, Sing America” artistic partnership.

Heritage began its 24^th season with a performance of Once: In Memoriam Martin Luther King, Jr. with the New Dominion Chorale. This was followed by a suite of performances with the NSO Pops, A Holiday Pops with Norm Lewis at the Kennedy Center in December 2023. In June of 2024, HSC was honored to receive the Brazeal Wayne Dennard Award from Chorus America, honoring our mission exemplifying diversity in programming. We end our 24^th Season performing Beethoven’s 9^th Symphony, Marin Alsop conducting, at The Clarice Center for the Performing Arts and Washington National Cathedral, with the National Orchestral Institute +Festival.

We begin the celebration of our 25^th Anniversary Season in September 2024, A Season of Thanks, featuring The Hailstork Project, performing significant choral and instrumental works from the Hailstork library of over 300 compositions, and honoring all those who have supported us over these 25 years. The Chorale provides a venue for showcasing artists, composers, and arrangers who share this commitment, thereby fostering community awareness and appreciation of this important legacy. We envision a new generation of listeners who will understand and appreciate the historical legacy of the Negro Spiritual through education and performance.