The Congressional Chorus will be singing its praises to our nation’s history thanks to a $1,500 grant from the Target Corp. in support of the “American History through Music” presentations in D.C. public schools.

The 50-member chorus, directed by Michael Patterson, has a music-in-the-schools program that works to emphasize the importance of music classes and opportunities in the District. Since 2002, the chorus, working with area school officials, principals and chorus directors, has sent ensembles to schools to perform music related to American history. Last year’s program focused on the first Thanksgiving, including settings of texts by American Indians and other songs about giving thanks.

Schools visited by the chorus last year included Thurgood Marshall Extended Elementary School, Stuart-Hobson Middle School, and H.D. Woodson, Anacostia and Cardozo high schools.

Co-founded in 1987 by Patterson and Harlie Sponaugle, the group’s executive director, the chorus used to include only those who worked on Capitol Hill, but it now has extended its membership to all Washingtonians who are interested in American choral music.

For more information on the Congressional Chorus, including a schedule of upcoming events, see www. congressionalchorus.org.

— Jennifer Lash