Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Thursday, December 17, 2015

The National Symphony Orchestra Announces

Full Schedule for

Preview Event January 3 at Verizon Center

More than 40 free performances, events, and

musical instrument “petting zoos” January 5–11

“A Day of Music” at the Smithsonian American Art Museum January 9

Acoustical tour of National Building Museum and an

espionage-themed concert at National Spy Museum January 10

Ensemble performance at Sixth & I Historic Synagogue January 10

Announcement of an annual award in honor of Irene Pollin

Four joint performances with poets, actors, and spoken word artists

(WASHINGTON)—The National Symphony Orchestra will blanket the neighborhoods of

Downtown and Penn Quarter January 5–11, building deeper connections to its community in a

week-long residency featuring more than 40 free events and performances. From concerts at the

Robert and Arlene Kogod Courtyard at the Smithsonian American Art Museum to in-school

visits, artist panels and discussions, and performances at homeless shelters, NSO members will

make music in ensembles large and small. The National Spy Museum, First Congregational

United Church of Christ, Central Union Mission, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Martin

Luther King Jr. Memorial Library, Busboys and Poets, and Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company:

these are but a few of the distinctive and colorful locales to be visited.

Advance sign-up is required for the following locations: The Hamilton Live, Sixth & I

Historic Synagogue, the Corcoran School of the Arts and Design, the National Building Museum

and the National Press Club. To attend the Preview Event at the Verizon Center, tickets to the

Washington Wizards game are necessary.

Preview Event: On January 3, the NSO’s powerhouse brass section will enliven the

Washington Wizards vs. Miami Heat game by performing before warm-ups at center court

Sunday at 6:20 p.m. Tickets for the game are required and are available at

www.msesales.com/wiz/nso, The promotional code is NSO.

Official Kick-off Event: Doors will open to The Hamilton Live January 5 at 6:30 p.m.

The performance will begin at 8:00, featuring NSO musicians Glenn Donnellan, Heather

LeDoux Green, and Teri Lee, violins; Abigail Evans Kreuzer, viola; Jim Lee, cello; Charles

Nilles, bass; and Joe Connell, percussion. This performance opens the “In Your Neighborhood”

program in the Downtown and Penn Quarter communities. This event is open to the public, but

reservations are required due to space limitations. http://live.thehamiltondc.com/event/1035721-

nsos-in-your-neighborhood-kick-washington/

“A Day of Music” January 9, 2016, beginning at 1:00 p.m.: The Smithsonian American

Art Museum will host a day with six separate events. Preceding and following the 2 p.m. Family

Concert will be musical instrument “petting zoos, so that children of all ages can try out

orchestral instruments. The Family Concert is called “Inspiration!” and explores the ideas that

help shape composers’ creativity, such as literature, poetry, travel, nature, and more. A musical

instrument “petting zoo” will take place before and after the performance. The concert will be

conducted by Michael Butterman and NSO Principal Second Violinist Marissa Regni will serve

as both soloist and host.

“A Day of Music” will continue with two chamber music performances that will take

place in the Lincoln Gallery at 4 p.m., and in the museum’s Luce Foundation Center at 5:30 p.m.

The orchestra program at 7:30 p.m. in the Kogod Courtyard, led by guest conductor

Francesco Lecce-Chong, will feature pieces relating to artworks in the museum’s collection.

Among the musical works will be an excerpt from Jefferson Friedman’s The Throne of the Third

Heaven of the Nations Millennium General Assembly, inspired by an artwork with the same title

by James Hampton that has been praised as America’s greatest work of visionary art. The

symphonic work was commissioned by the National Symphony and given its world premiere in

2004, and concert-goers can view sculpture and other art relating to the concert prior to the

performance. The museum, which ordinarily closes its doors at 7 p.m., has arranged to keep the

galleries on the first floor only open through 8:30 p.m. for the duration of the concert. The events

at the Smithsonian American Art Museum are free and open to the public. Seating is limited and

will be available on a first come, first served, basis. Please see the listings below for additional

information.

January 10, 2016, at 7:00 p.m.: NSO Board member Irene Pollin will be honored by the

creation of a community service award at the concert at Sixth & I Historic Synagogue. Mrs.

Pollin, a long-time member of the NSO Board, has been a keen supporter of the NSO’s

community engagement programs. She and her late husband Abe Pollin also played a leading

role in the renewal of Downtown D.C., and were instrumental in saving the Sixth & I Historic

Synagogue. “The Irene Pollin Community Service Award” will be given to one organization

annually that provides grassroots health and human services combined with programs for

intellectual and artistic enrichment as exemplified by the arts in all forms. The award will be

presented during the program of chamber music by members of the National Symphony

Orchestra.

Four events will feature NSO musicians interacting with local artists. The Last Stand

Quartet will appear with the Drawbridge Collective at Busboys and Poets on January 7, and with

actors of the Shakespeare Theatre Company on January 8. The same ensemble will collaborate

with Classical Indian artists on January 11, celebrating Woolly Mammoth Theatre’s production

of Guards at the Taj. The NSO’s Glenn Donnellan will perform with representatives of Words,

Beats and Life and the Hip Hop Orchestra of UMD at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial

Library January 10.

The complete list of activities, as known at the time of this release, follows.

IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD: DOWNTOWN / PENN QUARTER

JANUARY 5-11, 2016

Master Schedule

SUNDAY, JANUARY 3

6:20 p.m. Preview Event

Verizon Center

601 F St., NW

This “Primetime Performance” will feature NSO musicians in a six-minute

segment before warm-ups at center court during the Washington Wizards v.

Miami Heat game. Tickets to the game are necessary.

James Nickel, horn

William Gerlach, trumpet

Tom Cupples, trumpet

David Murray, trombone

Stephen Dumaine, tuba

TUESDAY, JANUARY 5

10:15 a.m. Randle Highlands Elementary School

1650 30th St., SE

This performance of “The String Thing” is for 20 kindergarten students.

Heather LeDoux Green, violin

Paul DeNola, bass

11:00 a.m. Central Union Mission

65 Massachusetts Ave., NW

This 45 to 60-minute performance is for people at the Emergency Shelter at Gales

School.

Craig Mulcahy, trombone

David Murray, trombone

Matthew Guilford, bass trombone

Stephen Dumaine, tuba

5:00 p.m. Horman Violin Studio

First Congregational United Church of Christ

945 G St., NW

The Horman Violin Studio will host a master class in the sanctuary of First

Congregational United Church of Christ. This event is open to the public with up

to 150 attendees.

Jane Bowyer Stewart, violin

6:30 p.m. to Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library

8:00 p.m. 901 G St., NW

Panel Discussion: Promoting the Orchestra in the 21st Century

Participants will discuss trends and challenges for modern ensembles. This event

will take place in the library’s Great Hall, which can hold an audience of up to

400. The discussion will be recorded and live-streamed for the community.

Participants:

Michael Bracy, Co-Founder, Future of Music Coalition

Victoria Gau, Conductor and Artistic Director, Capital City Symphony

Gregory Hughes, Social Media Manager, Kennedy Center

Jennifer Mondie, NSO viola, Orchestra Committee Chair

Shay Stevens, Mars Urban Arts Curator, Washington Performing Arts

Moderator:

Mario R. Rossero, Kennedy Center Senior Vice President for Education

7:00 p.m. First Congregational United Church of Christ

945 G St., NW

This event, a discussion and demonstration, is open to the public and will take

place in the church’s sanctuary.

David Teie, cello

8:00 p.m. Kick-off Event at The Hamilton Live 600 14th St., NW

This 75-minute chamber performance at The Hamilton Live will welcome the

public officially to the NSO In Your Neighborhood week. Doors open at 6:30

p.m. Reservations required via http://live.thehamiltondc.com.

Glenn Donnellan, violin

Teri Lee, violin

Heather Ledoux Green, violin

Abigail Evans Kreuzer, viola

James Lee, cello

Charles Nilles, bass

Joe Connell, percussion

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 6

1:00 p.m. First Congregational United Church of Christ

945 G St., NW

This program featuring the church’s Casavant organ will take place in the

church’s sanctuary and is open to the public.

Steven Hendrickson, trumpet

Phil Snedecor, trumpet*

Russell Weismann, organ*

3:15 p.m. Department of Labor Child Development Center

200 Constitution Ave., NW

This performance is for pre-school aged children.

Holly Hamilton, violin

Paula Akbar, violin

6:30 p.m. My Sister’s Place

A musical instrument “petting zoo” will be held for the children of the Shelter.

7:00 p.m. My Sister’s Place

This child-friendly performance will be for the Shelter’s 15 families, including 20

children.

Marissa Regni, violin

Barry Hearn, trombone

7:00 p.m. First Congregational United Church of Christ

945 G St., NW

This performance will take place in the sanctuary, and is open to the public.

Carole Tafoya Evans, violin

Eric deWaardt, viola

Mark Evans, cello

THURSDAY, JANUARY 7

1:00 p.m. & Walker-Jones Education Campus

2:00 p.m. 1125 New Jersey Ave., NW

Walker-Jones Education Campus will host back-to-back performances in the

school’s cafeteria for approximately 300 pre-K to 8th grade students.

Glenn Donnellan, violin

4:00 p.m. Central Union Mission

65 Massachusetts Ave., NW

This 45-60 minute chamber performance is at the Emergency Shelter at Gales

School.

Alexandra Osborne, violin

Abigail Evans Kreuzer, violin

Alexander Jacobson, bass

Jamie Roberts, oboe

Paul Cigan, clarinet

6:00 p.m. to Renaissance Washington, D.C. Downtown Hotel

7:00 p.m. 999 9th St., NW

This hour-long chamber performance will take place in the hotel’s lobby during

happy hour.

James Nickel, horn

Julianna Nickel, flute*

Adriana Horne, harp

7:00 p.m. Busboys & Poets

2021 14th St., NW

An artistic exchange will take place with The Last Stand Quartet, all NSO

members, and the Drawbridge Collective. The Drawbridge Collective members

come from both spoken word and formal literary backgrounds, to create

experiences imbued with dynamic performance and literary merit, and that

encompass the celebration of various cultural perspectives and unique identities.

For more information please visit http://tagdmv.com/tag/the-drawbridge-

collective/. This event is open to the public.

The Last Stand Quartet

Alexandra Osborne, violin

Joel Fuller, violin

Mahoko Eguchi, viola

Rachel Young, cello

The Drawbridge Collective and their origins:

Pages Matam, Camaroon, Africa

Amin Drew Law, Palestinian/Egyptian-American

Elizabeth Acevedo, Dominican-American

Terisa Siagatonu, Samoan-American

Clint Smith, New Orleans, Louisiana

7:00 p.m. National Press Club

529 14th St., NW, Suite 1300

This performance will take place in the Holeman Lounge within the Press Club,

and includes music of Mozart, Beethoven, Gershwin, Ravel, Dvořák, and more.

Reservations required via http://www.press.org.

Jae-Yeon Kim, violin

Wanzhen Li, violin

Daniel Foster, viola

Steven Honigberg, cello

7:30 p.m. Calvary Baptist Church

755 8th St., NW

This performance will take place in the church’s sanctuary and is open to the

public.

Holly Hamilton, violin

Claudia Chudacoff, violin

Kathryn Brake, piano*

FRIDAY, JANUARY 8

6:00 p.m. D.C. Jewish Community Center

1529 16th St., NW

This concert for the DCJCC community is open to the public, and includes music

of Mozart, Beethoven, Gershwin, Ravel, Dvořák, and more.

Jae-Yeon Kim, violin

Wanzhen Li, violin

Daniel Foster, viola

Steven Honigberg, cello

7:00 p.m. First Congregational United Church of Christ

945 G St., NW

This concert is open to the public and will take place in the church’s sanctuary.

Jeffrey Weisner, bass

Ira Gold, bass

Charles Nilles, bass

Alexander Jacobsen, bass

7:00 p.m. Shakespeare Theatre Company

Forum of Sidney Harman Hall

610 F St., NW

The Last Stand Quartet will collaborate with the Shakespeare Theatre Company’s

Affiliated Teaching Artists to present a musical retrospective of Cole Porter’s

work. The audience is encouraged to dress in 1920s attire.

Alexandra Osborne, violin

Joel Fuller, violin

Mahoko Eguchi, viola

Rachel Young, cello

SATURDAY, JANUARY 9

10:30 a.m. to Calvary Baptist Church

12:30 p.m. 755 8th

St., NW

This event is a master class for violinists and violists. Four students will be

chosen to play and receive comments from an NSO musician. Calvary is home to

Friday Morning Music Club, which sponsors an international string competition

at Calvary, supports the Avanti Orchestra, and has connections with Symphony

Kids of Prince George’s Philharmonic.

Holly Hamilton, violin

4:00 p.m. First Congregational United Church of Christ

945 G St., NW

This concert is open to the public and will take place in the church’s sanctuary.

Steven Combs, baritone*

Jae-Yeon Kim, violin

David Teie, cello

Kristin Bowers, clarinet*

Jamie Roberts, oboe

Sue Heineman, bassoon

William Gerlach, trumpet

Donnie Johns, percussion*

Chris Schmitt, piano*

A DAY OF MUSIC AT THE

SMITHSONIAN AMERICAN ART MUSEUM

8th and F Sts., NW

1:00 p.m. MacMillan Education Center, First Fllor

A musical instrument “petting zoo” will allow youngsters of all ages to try out the

instruments they will hear in the concerts.

2:00 p.m. Kogod Courtyard

This NSO Family Concert, titled “Inspiration!,” explores the ideas that help shape

composers’ creativity.

3:00 p.m. MacMillan Education Center, First Fllor

The musical instrument “petting zoo” will resume.

4:00 p.m. Lincoln Gallery, Third Floor

This hour-long chamber music program includes quartets by Beethoven and

Schumann.

Jane Stewart, violin

Susan Midkiff, violin

Denise Wilkinson, viola

Kerry van Lannen, cello*

5:30 p.m. Luce Foundation Center, Third Floor

The Last Stand Quartet will perform an hour-long concert of chamber music.

Alexandra Osborne, violin

Joel Fuller, violin

Mahoko Eguchi, viola

Rachel Young, cello

7:30 p.m. Kogod Courtyard

This NSO concert will be led by guest conductor Francesco Lecce-Chong, in a

program of music by Shostakovich, Michael Daugherty, Mozart, Mussorgsky, and

more.

SUNDAY, JANUARY 10

10:50 a.m. to Calvary Baptist Church

1:15 p.m. 755 8th St., NW

NSO musicians will perform during the 11:00 a.m. service. Following the service

members will participate in a discussion about the relevance of music and fine

arts in today’s world, and church spaces as performance venues.

Steven Hendrickson, trumpet

Eric Schnobrick, piano*

Jennifer Mondie, discussion participant

11:00 a.m. & National Building Museum

1:30 p.m. 401 F St., NW

Andrew Hulva, a graduate student of acoustics from Virginia Tech, will join four

members of the NSO in a performance demonstration in three locations in the

National Building Museum, to explore how a room’s space and building materials

are used to promote beautiful sound. Space is limited. Therefore, audience

members must sign up for these events on the Building Museum’s website.

Jae-Yeon Kim, violin

Wanzhen Li, violin

Daniel Foster, viola

Steven Honigberg, cello

2:00 p.m. to Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library

4:00 p.m. 901 G St., NW

An NSO musician will participate in a performance with representatives from

Words, Beats & Life and the Hip Hop Orchestra from UMD. This event is open to

the public.

Glenn Donnellan, violin

3:00 p.m. First Congregational United Church of Christ

945 G St., NW

A performance demonstration will explore rhythms in different regions and

cultures. This event is open to the public and will take place in the sanctuary of

the church. Audience members are encouraged to bring drums.

Joseph Connell, percussion

3:00 p.m. International Spy Museum

800 F St., NW

This family-friendly event features an NSO string quartet performing espionage-

themed music. Attendees will also receive $5 discounts to visit the Museum after

the performance.

Nurit Bar-Josef, violin

Natasha Bogachek, violin

Eric deWaardt, viola

James Lee, cello

7:00 p.m. Sixth & I Historic Synagogue

600 I St., NW

The Kennedy Center Chamber Players perform a special chamber concert in

honor of Mrs. Irene Pollin, a longtime supporter of the NSO’s Community

Engagement programs, Sixth & I Historic Synagogue, and the Penn Quarter

neighborhood’s revitalization efforts. The Irene Pollin Community Service Award

will be presented by Monumental Sports and Entertainment. For reservations,

please visit https://www.sixthandi.org/event/nso-in-your-neighborhood-an-

evening-of-chamber-music/

Marissa Regni, violin

Heather LeDoux Green, violin

Jane Bowyer Stewart, violin

Daniel Foster, viola

Abigail Evans Kreuzer, viola

David Hardy, cello

Lisa Emenheiser, piano

MONDAY, JANUARY 11

10:45 a.m. Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center

14th St. & Constitution Ave., NW

Teddy Bear concert experience for 60 pre-school children.

Glenn Donnellan, violin

Richard Barber, bass

1:00 p.m. to River Terrace Education Campus

2:00 p.m. 420 34th St., NE

This program is an In-School Ensemble performance lasting 45 minutes. 30-40

high school students will be in attendance.

Holly Hamilton, violin

Paula Akbar, violin

2:15 p.m. BASIS DC

410 8th St., NW

BASIS DC will host NSO violinist Glenn Donnellan (creator of the Electric

Slugger® Batolin) to perform and demonstrate instruments for its fifth grade

music students. The performance will be for approximately 140 students in the

school’s cafeteria.

Glenn Donnellan, violin

3:00 p.m. D.C. Jewish Community Center 1529 16th St., NW

A musical instrument “petting zoo” will precede the concert.

4:00 p.m. D.C. Jewish Community Center

1529 16th St., NW

This performance of “The String Thing” is for DCJCC community students.

Heather LeDoux Green, violin

Paul DeNola, bass

6:00 p.m. to Corcoran School of Art and Design

6:30 p.m. 500 17th St., NW

A 30-minute performance in the main atrium of the former art gallery turned into

an academic building of the George Washington University.

Sophie Shao, cello

6:30 p.m. to Corcoran School of Art and Design

7:30 p.m. 500 17th St., NW

This chamber performance will take place in the Corcoran School Auditorium. is

It features music of Mozart, Beethoven, Gershwin, Ravel, Dvořák, and more.

Reservations required via http://corcoran.gwu.edu.

Jae-Yeon Kim, violin

Wanzhen Li, violin

Daniel Foster, viola

Steven Honigberg, cello

7:30 p.m. to Corcoran School of Art and Design

8:00 p.m. 500 17th St., NW

A brief performance in the Corcoran Salon Doré.

Mark Evans, cello

Charles Nilles, bass

7:00 p.m. Busboys & Poets

2021 14th St., NW

The ensemble presents an hour-long concert.

Alexandra Osborne, violin

Abigail Evans Kreuzer, viola

Alexandra Jacobsen, bass

Jamie Roberts, oboe

Paul Cigan, clarinet

8:00 p.m. Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company

641 D St., NW

This artist exchange will feature the NSO’s Last Stand Quartet in collaboration

with Nistha Raj and her Indian classical music ensemble. The performance

celebrates Woolly Mammoth’s production of Guards at the Taj, which focuses on

two guards whose duty is to guard India’s Taj Mahal.

The Last Stand Quartet:

Alexandra Osborne, violin

Joel Fuller, violin

Mahoko Eguchi, viola

Rachel Young, cello

Nistha Raj, Hindustani violin

Jomy George, tabla

Aakash Mittal, saxophone

* Guest Artists

FUNDING CREDITS

David and Alice Rubenstein are the Presenting Underwriters of the NSO.

The National Symphony Orchestra's Community Engagement Program is made possible through

the generosity of Mrs. Irene Pollin.

Additional support is provided by Linda and Tobia Mercuro, The Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz

Foundation, Paul M. Angell Family Foundation, and Tina and Albert Small, Jr.

NSO In Your Neighborhood: Downtown/Penn Quarter is sponsored by Wells Fargo.

For more information about the NSO, please visit www.nationalsymphony.org.

For more information about the Kennedy Center, visit www.kennedy-center.org.

Patrons 30 and under and active-duty members of the military are invited to join the Kennedy

Center’s MyTix program for special discount offers

and chances to win free tickets.

For more information, visit www.kennedy-center.org/mytix

Discover the National Symphony Orchestra on social media:

#NSOrch

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PRESS CONTACT

Patricia O’Kelly

(202) 416-8443

pjokelly@kennedy-center.org