Choral Arts Society’s O Night Divine Christmas Concert & 45th Annual Gala at the Kennedy Center
The Washington holiday season hit a high note with the Choral Arts Society’s “O Night Divine” Christmas concert and 45th Annual Gala at the Kennedy Center. For those in attendance, it was an evening of celestial sounds and philanthropic festive flair.
With a program that expertly spanned centuries of holiday music, from the lush traditions of Silent Night to more contemporary compositions, the concert offered both familiar and fresh fare. And as part of Choral Arts’ broader season partnership with the Philippine Embassy, the concert shone a spotlight on Filipino culture alongside the holiday repertoire, weaving a cross-cultural element into the program and celebrating the Filipino community through music and shared traditions.
Under the direction of Artistic Director Marie Bucoy-Calavan, audiences enjoyed timeless Christmas carols, inspiring contemporary works, and community-friendly sing-along numbers, all staged with lush orchestral accompaniment. (A second ‘O Night Divine’ performance is scheduled for Wednesday, December 24, 2025 at 2:00 pm.)
Following the concert, the celebration shifted to the 45th Annual Gala, an elegant evening held in the Kennedy Center’s Rooftop Restaurant and Atrium, featuring a sparkling black-tie reception and silent auction, gourmet dinner, and dancing late into the night.
On hand at the event was Philippine Ambassador Jose Manuel del Gallego Romualdez, who congratulated the Choral Arts Society for “the meaningful collaboration [with the Philippine Embassy] and for so beautifully sharing with us the joy and festive spirit of the Filipino Christmas.”
He also said that the partnership “holds particular significance as we prepare to commemorate in 2026 the 80th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and the United States.”
According to Bucoy-Calavan, regarding Choral Arts’ 2026-27 season, the organization will continue to build its role as an “ambassador chorus,” featuring a new partnership with the Embassy of Germany.