music | ALXnow

Alexandria Choral Society returns with ‘pay-what-you-can’ pricing for 57th season

Published September 4, 2026 at 2:45PM

The Washington Metropolitan Philharmonic and the Alexandria Choral Society perform their holiday concert at the George Washington Masonic National Memorial, Dec. 8, 2024 (staff photo by James Cullum)

The Alexandria Choral Society is returning for its 57th season next month, and offering a “pay-what-you-can” pricing model for its performances in the city.

ACS will return on Oct. 15 in a show partnering with the American Classical Contemporary Orchestra under conductor Jeffrey Dokken. The show, Dreamweaver, focuses on Ola Gjeilo’s choral work inspired by the medieval folk poem “Draumkvedet,” which tells the story of Olav Asteson, who tells the story of being asleep for 13 days. The show will be held at the Miracle Theatre (535 8th Street SE) in DC and ticket prices range from $15 to $47.

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Kid-focused nonprofit hosting music fundraiser in Del Ray

By James Cullum

Published September 1, 2026 at 3:45PM

A recent trip in the Shenandoah Valley (via Wilderness Kids of Alexandria/Facebook)

An annual music festival is returning to Alexandria’s Del Ray neighborhood this month, and it’s all about the kids.

Wilderness Kids Alexandria is hosting its fourth annual community music festival from noon to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 27, at Pat Miller Neighborhood Square (2311 Mount Vernon Avenue). The event is free to attend.

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National Symphony Orchestra to utilize Alexandria venue amid Kennedy Center shutdown plans

By Emily Leayman and The Associated Press

Published August 18, 2026 at 1:45PM

Music Director of the National Symphony Orchestra (NSO) Gianandrea Noseda conducts the orchestra during a rehearsal at Milan’s La Scala theatre, Italy, on Feb. 26, 2024. (via Antonio Calanni/Associated Press file)

Alexandria’s Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall and Arts Center will be among the landing places for the National Symphony Orchestra amid the Kennedy Center’s planned shutdown for renovations.

Forced from the Kennedy Center following approval of a reconstruction project by allies of President Donald Trump, the NSO will split its 2026-27 season among six venues in Washington, D.C., and the capital’s suburbs.

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Del Ray Farmhouse Market and Garden seeks city permit for small live music stage

By James Cullum

Published August 5, 2026 at 2:45PM

A new stage at the Del Ray Farmhouse Market and Garden at 1913 Mount Vernon Avenue (via City of Alexandria)

The owner of the Del Ray Farmhouse Market and Garden (1913 Mount Vernon Avenue) is asking the city for permission to use a small entertainment stage for live music or a DJ.

Jay Portlance is asking the city for permission to use the small stage at the corner of Mount Vernon Avenue and E. Howell Avenue for groups of musicians no larger than two pieces.

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Alexandria-affiliated GQ becomes first all-female barbershop quartet to win international title

By Emily Leayman

Published July 23, 2026 at 9:15AM

GQ winning the international competition (via Girls Quartet)

Several choral groups affiliated with the Alexandria A Cappella Collective have earned international awards, including a historic first for world’s best barbershop quartet.

All-female quartet GQ (Girls Quartet) won gold at the Barbershop Harmony Society’s 2026 international competition on July 4. Their win came from the performance of six songs, including humorous songs, ballads and a Broadway tune arrangement of Chappell Roan’s “Coffee.”

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Ukulele Club strikes a chord at Alexandria’s William Ramsay Elementary

By James Cullum

Published June 4, 2026 at 9:15AM

The second grade Ukulele Club at William Ramsay Elementary School (staff photo by James Cullum)

Kids are clamoring to be part of the Ukulele Club at William Ramsay Elementary School.

The nine-week after-school program for second graders only started in the spring. With the end of the school year around the corner, the 15 kids in the club are rehearsing for an upcoming school assembly and a performance in front of their parents.

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Volunteer musicians to play for Alexandria shelter animals through new program

By Emily Leayman

Published May 28, 2026 at 2:45PM

Musician plays at the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria (via AWLA)

The Animal Welfare League of Alexandria’s animal shelter will now regularly be filled with the sound of live music.

AWLA is partnering with Wild Tunes, a nonprofit started by 10-year-old Yuvi Agarwal, to introduce live music by volunteer musicians at the animal shelter (4101 Eisenhower Avenue). The program kicked off Thursday (May 28).

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The Birchmere Music Hall turns 60, several shows canceled in April lineup

By James Cullum

Published April 9, 2026 at 8:30AM

The Squirrel Nut Zippers perform at The Birchmere (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

The Birchmere music hall, Alexandria’s most prominent musical venue, celebrated its 60th anniversary earlier this month.

The 500-seat music hall at 3701 Mount Vernon Avenue opened in 1966, and has featured notable musical artists and performers across various genres, including Ray Charles, Johnny Cash, Linda Ronstadt and Dave Matthews. Originally founded in Arlington’s Shirlington neighborhood, the venue moved to Alexandria’s Mount Vernon Avenue in 1981. It has been at the current 3701 Mount Vernon Avenue location since 1997.

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Alexandria’s MAYSUNS win Wammie Award for best rock band

By James Cullum

Published March 30, 2026 at 3:45PM

The MAYSUNS (Left to right - Gabriel Harr, Max Powell, Beck Moniz and Nathan Argust) relaxing at a mural of musical legends outside St. Elmo's Coffee Pub in Del Ray, July 9, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria rock band MAYSUNS took home a regional Wammie Award for best rock band Saturday night.

It’s the third Washington Area Music Award for the band, which won best rock album and best song in 2023. The award ceremony was held at Capital Turnaround in D.C.

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Group of Del Ray dads rock for more than a decade in local band, ‘The Derds’

By James Cullum

Published March 5, 2026 at 3:45PM | Updated March 5, 2026 at 7:08PM

The Derds (left to right) Alan Paez, Brian Siebenlist, James Crowe, Dan Wolfe and Greg Sullivan practicing at Crowe's home in Del Ray (staff photo by James Cullum)

Every Tuesday night for more than a decade, a group of Del Ray dads have gotten together in James Crowe’s basement to rock out.

Last Tuesday, the five-member band officially known as The Derds practiced the lineup for their upcoming annual St. Patrick’s Day show at Evening Star Cafe’s No. 9 Lounge in Del Ray at 2000 Mount Vernon Avenue. The show is from 7:30-10 p.m. Friday, March 13, featuring performers from the Del Ray Strings and the Boyle School of Irish Dance.

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Several Alexandria artists named finalists in regional Wammie Music Awards

By Katie Taranto

Published February 23, 2026 at 2:00PM | Updated February 23, 2026 at 5:16PM

Wammie Awards crowd (via The Wammie Awards/Facebook)

Eight Alexandria artists have advanced as finalists in the 37th annual Wammie Music Awards, as competition narrows down in the regional program.

Several musicians made the cut from Alexandria’s initial 14 nominees, receiving 12 finalist nominations for their work across multiple genres, including hip-hop, pop, funk and more. Winners will be announced during this year’s live awards show on Saturday, March 28, at D.C.’s Capital Turnaround.