Carolyn Williams, a Laurier Masters of Music Therapy grad, was involved in the festivities accompanying the presidential inauguration of Barack Obama on January 20.

Williams is a member of the 22-strong, Toronto-based Nathaniel Dett Chorale (NDC) which specializes in various genres of Afro-centric music including classical, jazz, blues, and gospel; the ensemble was invited by the Smithsonian Institute to perform a 40-minute concert at the National Museum of the American Indian on Martin Luther King Day, the day before the inauguration; the chorale was the only Non-American group to participate in the event. Also, the following day, before and after the inauguration, the chorale performed at the Canadian embassy.

The chorale’s involvement with the Smithsonian began when Canadian embassy officials told executives of the Institute about the group. Concert organizers visited NDC’s website, heard their music, and extended an invitation. Williams called the chorale’s trip exciting and humbling.

“We had a great time in Washington. The atmosphere was charged with support and anticipation of change. It was a blessing just to be a part (of the festivities).” The chorale received funding for its trip from TD Canada Trust and the Canada Council for the Arts. The chorale’s inauguration events were part of NDC’s tenth anniversary season, which began with a tour of the southern United States last fall, and concluded with two February performances at the Glenn Gould Studio pairing NDC’s alumni and current members. For more information on the chorale, please visit http://www.nathanieldettchorale.org/.