About the Celebration

May 28–June 6, the Kennedy Center celebrates the power of the unaccompanied human voice with A Cappella: Singing Solo. The festivities will bring together vocal traditions from across America and around the world. A cappella styles will range from gospel and sacred chants to barber shop quartets and vocal jazz – and artists will come from as far away as Norway, Mexico, South Africa, and the northernmost Canadian territory of Nunavut.

A major highlight of the celebration is A World of Voices. This all-star Concert Hall event will be hosted by Grammy-winning vocalist and composer Bobby McFerrin. The evening will include performances by Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Le Mystère des Voix Bulgares, La Capilla Virreinal de la Nueva España, Chanticleer, and others.

The celebration will also include two Fortas Chamber Music Concerts: a double bill featuring Norwegian female group Trio Mediaeval and male group Cantus from Minnesota, plus an evening with British ensemble I Fagiolini.

What’s more, you can enjoy 10 days of free concerts beginning with Grammy-winning female ensemble Sweet Honey In The Rock and ending with multiple Grammy winners The Manhattan Transfer – whose performance will celebrate the 11th anniversary of Millennium Stage.

Don’t miss a single moment!

A Cappella: Singing Solo is presented with the generous support of Fannie Mae, Alice and David Rubenstein, and the Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation.

Additional support is provided by The Blanche and Irving Laurie Foundation and the National Endowment for the Arts.