Voices United Festival Choir performs on stage at the Hylton Performing Arts Center. Photo courtesy Tamara Halstead
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By Katherine Mercurio Gotthardt
It’s an annual gathering that transforms Prince William into a vibrant hub of inspiring music, camaraderie, and artistic growth, welcoming participants from high schoolers to retirees to join a festival choir. Welcome to Voices United, a vibrant annual celebration of sacred music, drawing together singers from across the region — regardless of background or experience, no audition required. Spearheaded by Becky Verner,
Artistic Director of the Manassas Chorale, this mass choir event is a tradition the region looks forward to.
“Voices United began as an opportunity for local community and church choir singers to work with a nationally known composer and perform in a mass choir,” said Jennifer Blanchard, Executive Director of the Manassas Chorale. “Since 1999, it has been an annual event, except for the pandemic years of 2020 and
2021.”
Now in its 26th year, the event continues to foster community, artistry, and inspiration for all participants.
The Voices United Festival Choir is a tapestry of voices: members of the Manassas Chorale, local community singers, and church choir members—many of whom have only sung in small groups or venues before. This unique blend of experience levels is part of what makes the event so special, according to Blanchard.
“There is no audition to participate. Singers are of all levels of experience,” said Blanchard. This spirit of inclusivity is not just a slogan but a lived reality: anyone with a love for music is welcome.
Preparation for the festival is both accessible and flexible. To be eligible to participate in the workshop and concert, registered singers are required to attend at least three out of seven preliminary rehearsals — though more are encouraged — which are all held in Weston Hall at Manassas Baptist Church (8800
Sudley Road, Manassas).
These rehearsals lay the groundwork for a two-day intensive workshop led by a guest clinician and conductor, an experience that Blanchard describes as “honing musical technique and providing backstory to the songs chosen, as many are composed by the guest clinicians themselves.” The guest clinician is a
nationally recognized composer and conductor. Past clinicians have included Joseph Martin, Rollo Dilworth, Pearl Shangkuan, and Anton Armstrong.
This year, Joel Raney takes the helm, leading the workshops and taking part in the culminating performance. Raney’s career has been shaped by a lifetime of musical experiences, from his Alabama church roots to earning a master’s in piano performance at The Juilliard School. His compositions span
choral, instrumental, and solo works, with hundreds of titles in print and a reputation as a sought-after clinician and performer. Raney’s ability to weave together gospel, Broadway, jazz, and sacred traditions promises an enriching experience for all involved. His current role as one of the leading sacred music composers in the country is the culmination of all his experiences.
Workshops are typically held at Grace United Methodist Church (9750 Wellington Road, Manassas) and, like rehearsals, are designed to be supportive and inclusive. Singers are advised to wear comfortable clothes and shoes, bring music, a pencil, and a water bottle. Snacks are provided, and care is taken for those with sensitivities (for example, participants are asked to refrain from wearing perfumes or scented lotions, which may trigger allergies).
“In 2025, we had 115 singers representing nearly 40 churches and choral groups. It was exciting to see such a large group of singers coming together to share their talents and sing sacred music under a wonderful, nationally known director,” said Becky Verner. “I prepare the singers with seven rehearsals before the
clinician comes, but I’m always thrilled to hear the final product and what it says to our community about being ‘united through music!’”
Singer Susie Theobald said Voices United is a wonderful opportunity for community members who might not be able to commit to the year’s schedule of the Manassas Chorale. “The rehearsal requirement is low, aside from the weekend workshop before the concert, which does take a chunk of time, but the back-to-back hours of training and rehearsal during that workshop are so worth it,” she shared. “As a stay-at-home mom and trained musician, I appreciate this yearly, low-commitment opportunity to continue to learn different vocal and musical techniques from the clinicians who are carefully chosen by our director. If anyone is on the fence, wondering if you should commit to Voices United, I say do it. You truly won’t regret it.”
A Voices United rehearsal
From rehearsals to workshops to performances, the legacy of Voices United is rich with memorable moments. Blanchard recalled the 2025 festival, when Joseph Martin was commissioned to write a new song for the Manassas Chorale’s 30th anniversary.
“Performing our own song ‘And So We Sing!’ on our own stage with the composer conducting was a special memory for many,” she reflected.
Blanchard added that for many participants, Voices United becomes more than a one-time experience.
“Many singers, after this mass choir experience, express interest in joining the Manassas Chorale on a permanent basis,” she said. The event serves as a welcoming introduction to the group and a chance to explore choral singing without a long-term commitment.
Sally Ramsey, a member of Manassas Baptist Church Sanctuary Choir, has participated in the Voices United workshops and concerts for more than 12 years. “It’s always a special opportunity to sing with so many talented musicians and inspiring, gifted clinicians,” she said. “I especially like seeing the many friends I’ve made over the years and making new ones who love to sing and learn.”
Ramsey also said she appreciated that the Voice United choir represents singers from multiple church choirs or other singing groups in and around the area and that the renowned guest clinicians never fail to inspire, teach, and bring out the best in singers. According to Ramsey, “It’s always a thrill to be part of the Manassas Chorale’s spring concert and to share what is always challenging and beautiful music with the audience. It’s certainly a musical experience not to be missed.”
2026 Voices United Concert
This year, the Voices United Concert will take place on Saturday, March 21, at 7:30 p.m. at the Hylton Performing Arts Center, 10960 George Mason Circle, Manassas. The center, housed on the George Mason University Manassas campus, is a professional-level venue that has become a favorite among both
performers and audiences.
“The Hylton Performing Arts Center is a magnificent venue that enhances the mass choir experience,” Blanchard said.
The evening will begin with a performance by the Manassas Chorale, followed by the Voices United Festival Choir. The two ensembles will then come together for a pair of combined pieces under the baton of the festival’s guest clinician. An orchestra of 20 instrumentalists, selected by Artistic Director Becky Verner, will accompany both choirs, many of whom are seasoned professionals and long-time collaborators.
For those wondering about concert attire, Manassas Chorale members don their usual concert dress, while workshop participants are asked to follow a formal black-and-white dress code, ensuring a cohesive and elegant appearance on stage.
The concert is open to the public. Tickets are available via the Hylton Box Office or hyltoncenter.org.
As Voices United enters its 26th year, its mission remains the same: to unite voices, foster community, and celebrate the power of music.
For more information about the Manassas Chorale and Voices United, including registration details and upcoming events, visit manassaschorale.org or manassaschorale.org/voices-united.
Katherine Mercurio Gotthardt has written for Prince William Living for more than 10 years. An award-winning author and poet, she can be reached through her website, KatherineGotthardt.com.
