Support the Festival! Opportunities exist for private, corporate or foundation sponsorship for specific events in the Festival, or for general support of the whole week. For details of sponsorship opportunities - or any other enquiries - contact the Festival Director, Dr Graham Elliott : Telephone : 202-726-2080, Ext. 11 or Mauricio Franco, Communications & Marketing: Telephone 202-726-2080, Ext. 15.

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The festival at St Paul’s aims to reflect the cultural richness and diversity of the city of Washington, and the changes through which it has passed in its relatively short two hundred year history. St Paul’s was established before American Independence, when it was then under the jurisdiction of the diocese of London, England. For this reason it is most appropriate that the Dean of that diocese, Dr John Moses, came to Washington to preach at the first opening service of the Festival.

The Festival is, above all things, festive! It celebrates the cultural and ethnic diversity of this great city. St Paul’s, by virtue of its history, might fairly claim to be the Parish Church of Washington. As such, it is appropriate that it should offer a ministry of welcome to all the people of Washington.

This festival is our gift to the Community. There was, in this first year, no fixed admission charge for any of the events. This was all made possible by the generous support of foundations and individuals. Any individual or group wishing to contribute to the overall costs of mounting this, and future festivals, may send checks to 'The Vestry of Rock Creek Parish', marking the memo 'Festival Account' or contact Mauricio Franco, Communications & Marketing, Tel. 202-726-2080, Ext. 15.

The Rock Creek Festival is under the direction of Dr Graham Elliott, the church’s Director of Music. Dr Elliott moved to Washington at the end of 1999 from a position as Master of the Music at Chelmsford Cathedral in England. Among his many activities there was the building of the two new Cathedral organs; the establishment of the daily choral service, and the foundation of the Chelmsford Cathedral International Festival. In recognition of his work in the Cathedral and the Diocese, he was awarded honorary degrees by the Royal Academy of Music, the Royal School of Church Music, and, most recently, by the Archbishop of Canterbury.

The Festival's distinguished Patrons are the Hon. Anthony Williams, Mayor of Washington DC; and His Excellency, Sir Christopher Meyer, the British Ambassador to the United States of America. The Patrons wrote the following letters of commendation for the Souvenir Program Book:

Dear Dr Elliott:

On behalf of the residents of the District of Columbia, I am proud to welcome the participants in the first annual Rock Creek Festival.

I think of this city as a tapestry. This new festival at Saint Paul's Episcopal Church is a wonderful addition to that tapestry. From Handel to Ellington and from Big Band to traditional Mongolian dancing, the Rock Creek Festival will celebrate the culture and history at the heart of our great city.

Like this community festival demonstrates, our city is a city of more than just monuments - our culture is independent of our nation's history. Our historic neighborhoods and communities are as interesting as our memorials and museums. Places like the home of Frederick Douglass and Rock Creek's Adams Memorial are as important to our city as the Capital is to the country.

This new festival is a wonderful gift to the citizens of our city. I wish the festival success for many years to come.

Sincerely,
Anthony A Williams
Mayor

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Dear Dr Elliott,

Catherine and I are delighted to support the first Rock Creek Festival. The programme is ambitious and diverse, and reflects the extraordinary way that so many cultures and traditions mingle in this unique city.

We wish the festival every success.

Sincerely,
Sir Christopher Meyer
British Ambassador