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
# # #
PRESS CONTACT
Patricia O’Kelly
(202) 416-8443