About the 18th Street Singers
The 18th Street Singers, founded in the fall of 2004, is an ensemble of young people living, learning, and working in the DC area. Having sung for most of our lives, we were eager for a serious musical outlet that would also fulfill the social and time constraints of life as young adults in the District. Hearing none, we proceeded to build our own. Thus was born the 18th Street Singers, named after the road along which many of our members live and play.
Members of our forty-voice ensemble have a wide range of musical backgrounds, from professionals to former school choir members, but we join together with a dedication to musicality and a passion for performance.
As a new addition to the DC choral scene, we hope to bring a fresh, spirited interpretation to traditional choral music. Our diverse repertoire ranges from classical to contemporary: we've performed well-known pieces like Maurice Durufle's "Ubi Caritas," American spirituals like "Great Day," and folk and love songs like "Shenandoah" and "Loch Lomond."
About the Artistic Director
Benjamin Olinsky has directed the 18th Street Singers since the group's fall 2004 inception. Ben is a graduate of Yale University, where he concentrated in political science, music, and math. He has studied choral conducting both at the Yale School of Music with Maggie Brooks and Dr. David Connell and at Westminster Choir College with Dr. James Jordan. While at Yale, Benjamin conducted the Bach Society Chorus and the English Muffins (a madrigal choir), and served as the assistant director of the Yale Summer Chorus. He also served as music director of Out of the Blue, an award-winning contemporary a cappella group. During his time with Out of the Blue, the group toured from coast to coast and around the world. When he isn't directing the 18th Street Singers, Benjamin is legislative director for Sen. Al Franken.
Contact Information
| General Inquiries | info@18thstreetsingers.com |
| Press | press@18thstreetsingers.com |
| Bookings | booking@18thstreetsingers.com |
| Auditions | auditions@18thstreetsingers.com |
| Music | music@18thstreetsingers.com |
| Webmaster | webmaster@18thstreetsingers.com |