In 2009 Dr. Rachel Carlson wanted something to fill a gap she saw in the community: A choir for young professionals, everyday people from a variety of musical and non-musical backgrounds, who wanted to keep the making of music an active part of their lives. Neither professional nor amateur, this group would serve as a warm inclusive community yet still have a strong musical discipline. She reached out to her entire network of friends, coworkers, students and peers, ending up with a group with diverse backgrounds, skills and musical training. It was a group where everyone seemed to know at least one other member or had at least heard of several of the others. Because of this familiarity and emphasis on people and connections the group was named “Six Degree Singers” in reference to the Six Degrees of Separation.
As we have grown, SDS has matured in musical ability but has never lost sight of the idea that SDS is a product of pursuing our collective dreams and desire for community. We now work as a choir with one central mission: keep music alive for our members and our communities. To do this, SDS provides performances, free musical education, and public outreach to ensure that music doesn't fall into a forgotten or harmless hobby. These efforts are organized into half-year long “semesters.” Each one has a theme that serves as our guide.
Six Degree Singers has sung at venues throughout the D.C.-metro area, including the Music Center at Strathmore, the Folger Shakespeare Library, the White House, and performances of the National Anthem for the Washington Nationals and Baltimore Orioles. We proudly commission and premiere works from up-and-coming and local composers, and collaborate with other music groups, such the Penn State Glee Club and the Teatro Lirico of DC Spanish opera company, on performances that feature the musical abilities of SDS and its members.
Want to book SDS for a gig? Interested in joining our group? Get in touch with us here.
Six Degree Singers is supported in part by funding from the Montgomery County government and the Arts and Humanities Council of Montgomery County, as well as a grant from the Maryland State Arts Council.
We have fun.
