Washington D.C. Temple Choir Shares Easter Message Through Music

The regional choir's annual Easter program brings together 100 musicians to inspire with testimonies of the holiday.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 8:34pm

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A minimalist, abstract illustration featuring stark black silhouettes of choir members against a vibrant red background, conceptually representing the uplifting Easter performance by the Washington D.C. Temple Choir.The Washington D.C. Temple Choir's annual Easter concert brings the community together to celebrate the resurrection through the power of music.Frederick Today

The Washington D.C. Temple Choir, a regional choir composed of roughly 100 musicians selected by audition from Latter-day Saint congregations, performed a free, one-hour Easter program to share the meaning of the holiday through music. The choir, which was founded in 1980, practices year-round to prepare for seasonal performances like this one, which featured 11 songs interspersed with narration to tell the story of Easter.

Why it matters

The Washington D.C. Temple Choir's annual Easter program is an important outreach effort by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, inviting the community into their spaces and using music to share the message of the holiday. The choir's performances are dedicated to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, with the goal of touching attendees spiritually.

The details

On Saturday, March 21, the choir performed at the Washington, D.C. Visitor's Center, followed by a second performance on Sunday, March 22 at a local Latter-day Saint meetinghouse. The program featured 11 songs chosen by the directors and conductors, with a narrator weaving the story of Easter between the musical numbers. Choir president Kate Thurgood said the performances aim to engage the community and bring people into the church's buildings and visitor's centers.

  • The Washington D.C. Temple Choir hosts a free, one-hour, Easter program each year.
  • This year's performances took place on March 21 and 22, 2026.

The players

Washington D.C. Temple Choir

A regional choir composed of roughly 100 musicians selected by audition from approximately 50 congregations of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The choir was founded in 1980 and performs seasonal programs.

Kate Thurgood

The president of the Washington D.C. Temple Choir, who has been a member of the choir for 27 years.

Gary Clawson

The principal conductor of the Washington D.C. Temple Choir.

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What they’re saying

“One person told me it was an hour of complete peace.”

— Kate Thurgood, President, Washington D.C. Temple Choir

“If there is something interesting about the composers or if there is something really interesting about why the song was written, they'll add that piece of interest.”

— Kate Thurgood, President, Washington D.C. Temple Choir

“It really was part of their lives. They would come to our concerts, even from when they were just tiny.”

— Kate Thurgood, President, Washington D.C. Temple Choir

“I really hope that people who come are touched by the spirit and can feel something different while they're there with us.”

— Kate Thurgood, President, Washington D.C. Temple Choir

What’s next

The Washington D.C. Temple Choir will continue its tradition of hosting an annual Easter program, sharing the message of the holiday through music and inspiring attendees.

The takeaway

The Washington D.C. Temple Choir's Easter program demonstrates the power of music to bring communities together and share the spiritual meaning of important religious holidays. By inviting the public into their spaces, the choir aims to touch hearts and spread the message of Easter.