Founded as one of the first multiracial choirs in Washington DC, the 60-voice All Souls Church Unitarian Choir, joined by nationally recognized poets and spoken word artists, will honor America’s first great poet, Walt Whitman, through stories and songs of revolution, resistance, and radical self-love. Song of Ourselves explores Whitman’s texts, other poets inspired by Whitman, and cultural ideas celebrated in Whitman’s poetry in juxtaposition with music spanning generations, nations, and cultures.

This program features the premiere of an original work by composer William Kenlon set to Whitman text, with musical support from crossover cellist Devree Lewis and local jazz favorites Rochelle Rice (vocals), Todd Simon (piano), Corey Null (bass), and Dante Pope (drums and vocals).

This is part of the multi-venue, 12-day Walt Whitman 200 Festival, celebrating the 200th anniversary of the birth of one of America’s most significant and enduring poets, who was a resident of Washington, DC for ten years during and after the Civil War.