The Metropolitan Chorus, Arlington

A keeper of culture in the capitol city since 1966, the Metropolitan Chorus celebrates the beauty of the human voice without limiting itself to a certain genre. Apart from symphony-assisted classical concerts and annual productions of Handel's Messiah, the chorus also shows the jazz roots of artistic director Barry Hemphill. After all, Hemphill is the son of frequent Satchmo-collaborator Shelton "Scad" Hemphill and was babysat by none other than Billy Holliday growing up. Yet even though the ensemble's influences are so varied, a common thread ties its concerts together: a strong emphasis on American composers old and new.