The National Symphony Orchestra (NSO), led by Principal Pops Conductor Steven Reineke, will give a free concert on Veterans Day—Monday, November 12—at 1 p.m. at the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum’s Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Virginia. The concert, part of the NSO’s ongoing Notes of Honor: NSO Salutes the Military initiative, will feature guest vocalist Nikki Renée Daniels and a program of music related to space, as well as American tunes and patriotic marches to honor veterans and all members of the U.S. Armed Forces past and present.
The NSO’s Notes of Honor initiative offers free programming for veterans, active duty, and retired service members and their families throughout the year at the Kennedy Center and at venues around Washington, D.C. The NSO also reaches audiences worldwide on major holidays through its Memorial Day and Independence Day concerts on the west lawn of the U.S. Capitol, which are nationally televised and broadcast on the Armed Forces Network.
PROGRAM DETAILS
Monday, November 12, 2018, at 1 p.m.
National Air and Space Museum’s Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center
14390 Air and Space Parkway, Chantilly, VA 20151
National Symphony Orchestra
Steven Reineke, conductor
Nikki Renée Daniels, vocalist
Various/
arr. Jim Stephensen World War I Medley
Kenneth Alford Colonel Bogey March
Bart Howard/
arr. John Bachalis “Fly Me to the Moon”
James Horner/
arr. John Moss Music from Apollo 13
Stephen Flaherty/Lynn Aherns
arr. William David Brohn “Back to Before” from Ragtime
John Williams Liberty Fanfare
Sammy Fain and Irving Kahal/
arr. S. Reineke “I’ll Be Seeing You”
John Williams “Hymn to the Fallen” from Saving Private Ryan
Richard Hayman/
arr. Jim Kessler Salute to the Armed Forces
Samuel Augustus Ward
arr. Carmen Dragon “America the Beautiful”
Concert and Museum entry are free. $15 parking fee applies.
On Thursday, November 29, 2018 in the Main Hall of Union Station, a consortium of partners including Washington Performing Arts, the Royal Norwegian Embassy, the Norwegian-American Chamber of Commerce—Mid-Atlantic Chapter, the Bach Project, and Union Station present a holiday celebration event, with performances by local artists, the annual Norwegian Christmas tree lighting, an appearance by Santa Claus, and culminating in a simulcast of Yo-Yo Ma’s performance of J.S. Bach’s complete cello suites live from the National Cathedral, presented by Washington Performing Arts in memory of Isaac Stern.
For more than 20 years, Norway has presented a Christmas tree to the people of Washington, in recognition of its strong friendship with the United States and in gratitude for America’s assistance during and after World War II. This year’s Christmas tree is made possible by Equinor, Kongsberg Gruppen, Nammo Inc., Innovation Norway, and Insitu Inc.
Complete Schedule of Events
Norwegian Christmas Tree Lighting (6pm)
Featuring the Washington Performing Arts Children of the Gospel Choir and a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus
Mars Urban Arts Initiative Holiday Pop-Up Concert (7pm)
Featuring the Howard University Gospel Choir & more
Washington Performing Arts’ Mars Urban Arts Initiative and Brightest Young Things present a holiday pop-up concert that showcases some of D.C.’s beloved hometown musical acts, including the Howard University Gospel Choir. Throughout the evening, guests will also have a chance to learn about global holiday traditions and J.S. Bach’s music from organizations like the Royal Norwegian Embassy, the Norwegian-American Chamber of Commerce – Mid-Atlantic Chapter, the Library of Congress, and D.C. Public Library.
Simulcast: The Bach Project at Washington National Cathedral
Yo-Yo Ma Performs Bach Cello Suites (8pm)
Live audio/video feed from Washington National Cathedral
In Memory of Isaac Stern
Yo-Yo Ma’s sold-out performance of Bach’s cello suites at Washington National Cathedral, presented by Washington Performing Arts, will be simulcast at Union Station in conjunction with the annual Norwegian Christmas Tree Lighting, a beloved Washington, D.C. holiday tradition. This concert simulcast is part of Yo-Yo Ma’s Bach Project, a two-year journey to perform Johann Sebastian Bach’s six suites for solo cello in 36 locations around the world. It is an undertaking motivated not only by Yo-Yo’s six-decade relationship with the music, but also by Bach’s ability to speak to our shared humanity at a time when our civic conversation is so often focused on division.
The Library of Congress will present a display of treasures and manuscripts relating to J.S. Bach and Yo-Yo Ma’s career at Washington National Cathedral, in conjunction with Yo-Yo Ma’s performance.
Free, registration encouraged | Family-friendly
http://tinyurl.com/
Yo-Yo Ma’s performance at Washington National Cathedral is made possible in part by the generous support of
Dr. Gary Mather and Ms. Christina Co Mather, the Linda and Isaac Stern Charitable Foundation, and Daniel Heider.
The simulcast is made possible by Yo-Yo Ma’s Bach Project and the Mars Urban Arts Initiative, which is generously supported by Jacqueline Badger Mars and Mars, Incorporated.
These events are part of Washington Performing Arts’ global programming initiative, The World in Our City, which provides perspective on what it means to be a citizen of the world through a unique arts-based lens. Special thanks to Her Excellency Shaikha Aisha AlKhalifa, Spouse of the Ambassador, Embassy of the Kingdom of Bahrain; Jennifer and Brian Coulter; Dr. Gary Mather and Ms. Christina Co Mather; Jan and Marike Paulsson; Mary Jo Veverka; Michael Frankhuizen; Karin’s Florist.
Mars Urban Arts Initiative and Washington Performing Arts Gospel Choirs
VeVe & tha Rebels
Saturday, December 1, 5 p.m.
The LINE Hotel
2018/19 Mars Urban Arts Initiative ensemble-in-residence VeVe & tha Rebels performs original Afro-folk at The LINE DC, Washingtonian Magazine’s “favorite hotel at which to hang out.” This concert will be broadcast live via The Line DC’s Full Service Radio online stream.
Free and open to the public.
Co-presented with The LINE DC.
Washington Performing Arts’ Mars Urban Arts Initiative is generously supported by Jacqueline Badger Mars and Mars, Incorporated.
On Sunday, December 2, 2018 at 3:30pm, German-born composer, vocalist, and internationally renowned theremin virtuoso Carolina Eyck and the American Contemporary Music Ensemble (ACME) will perform presented by the National Gallery of Art in the West Building, West Garden Court (entrance at Sixth Street and Constitution Avenue). Doors open to the public at 3pm, and admission is free.
Eyck and ACME will give the Washington, DC premiere of Eyck’s Fantasias for theremin and string quartet, and Eyck will perform her solo songs Music on a Painting and Delphic. The program includes composer and The National guitarist Bryce Dessner’s Little Blue Something for string quartet, performed by ACME, and will feature improvised selections by Eyck and ACME cellist and artistic director Clarice Jensen. In addition to Jensen, the ACME players for this concert are Ben Russell, violin; Keats Dieffenbach, violin; and Isabel Hagen, viola.
Fantasias was released to critical acclaim on Butterscotch Records in 2016. For the project, Eyck composed six minimalist-inspired string quartet pieces, over which she improvises a solo theremin part. With these pieces, Eyck strives to “sonically investigate the interplay between nature and human imagination.” Eyck’s musically daring and physically challenging compositions defy easy classification, while her uncanny mastery of the theremin and use of electronic effects bring an authentically fresh sonic pallet to the forefront. Her Fantasias range from slow-evolving arpeggiations reminiscent of Reich and Glass, to alternative bowing and fingering techniques that achieve an ethereal ambience, to athletic explorations reminiscent of Bartók’s String Quartets.
Eyck’s striking theremin performances showcase her dead-aim intonation, her command of microtonality, her fluid melodicism, and her lack of self-consciousness as an improvisor. This latter quality is no accident, as Eyck has practiced improvisation for years, and has even studied techniques typically aimed at athletes for entering flow-states and shutting down critical inner dialogue.
Since making her debut in the Berlin Philharmonie, Carolina Eyck has been invited to perform all over the world. The BBC World Service proclaims, “Carolina Eyck is one of the world’s leading theremin players … and is a pioneer of this relatively new instrument,” and Cicero calls her the “queen of the theremin.” She was a winner of the 2015 ECHO-Classic prize in Germany for Concert Recording of the Year (Music 20./21.Century), and her book The Art of Playing the Theremin (written when she was 17) teaches the theremin technique she developed at age 14.
Put some rock in your Christmas stocking! Join Suspicious Package and friends on Thursday December 6 for a holiday jam at Tropicalia bar 14th and U St NW, 7pm bar, 8pm concert. Hope to see you for drinks, tunes and holiday cheer!
Suspicious Package Holiday Party
Thursday December 6 2018
Tropicalia 2001 14th St NW WDC
Metro: U St
7pm bar
8pm show
The contents of Suspicious Package are:
Tim Burger * Bryan Greene * Josh Meyer * Christina Sevilla * Tom Toles
The National Symphony Orchestra (NSO) will return to D.C.’s hottest entertainment venue, The Anthem, for a special, one-night-only holiday concert, presented by I.M.P. on Wednesday, December 12 at 8 p.m. Tickets for National Symphony Orchestra: Holidays at The Anthem are $15, $25 and $35, and can be purchased at The Anthem Box Office, online, and via phone at 1.877.4FLY.TIX.
After its debut appearance at The Anthem last fall, the NSO returns to collaborate with this award-winning new venue at The Wharf for a concert of seasonal favorites including music from The Nutcracker, Greensleeves, and “Carol of the Bells,” as well as an audience sing along, featuring “Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” “Frosty, the Snowman,” “Here Comes Santa Claus,” “Jingle Bells” and more. Nicholas Hersh conducts. As always, The Anthem will feature a full bar and food for purchase.
Concert details follow:
Wednesday, December 12, 2018, at 8 p.m.; doors open at 6 :30 p.m.
The Anthem, 901 Wharf Street, SW, Washington, D.C.
NATIONAL SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
Nicholas Hersh, conductor
Anderson A Christmas Festival
Waldteufel Skater’s Waltz
Vaughn Williams Fantasia on “Greensleeves”
Herbert Babes in Toyland
Prokofiev “Troika” from Lt. Kije Suite
Tchaikovsky Selections from The Nutcracker
Overture
Marche
Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairies
Trepak
Waltz of the Flowers
Humperdinck Dream Pantomime from Hansel and Gretel
Hayman Carol of the Bells
Various Jingle Jangle Singalong
TICKET INFORMATION
Tickets ($15, $25, $35) are available at the Anthem Box Office, online, and via phone at 1.877.4FLY.TIX.
ABOUT THE NATIONAL SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
The 2018–2019 season marks the National Symphony Orchestra’s 88th, and Gianandrea Noseda’s second as its music director. The Italian conductor serves as the Orchestra’s seventh music director, joining the NSO’s legacy of distinguished leaders. Its artistic leadership also includes Principal Pops Conductor Steven Reineke and Artistic Advisor Ben Folds.
Founded in 1931, the Orchestra has always been committed to artistic excellence and music education. In 1986, the National Symphony became an artistic affiliate of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, where it performs year-round. The NSO’s community engagement projects are nationally recognized, including NSO In Your Neighborhood, an annual week of approximately 50 performances in schools, churches, community centers, and other unexpected venues; Notes of Honor, which offers free performances for active, veteran, prior service, and retired members of the military and their families; and Sound Health, a collaboration with the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and its affiliated organizations. Career development opportunities for young musicians include the NSO Youth Fellowship Program and its tuition-free Summer Music Institute. For more information, visit nationalsymphony.org.
The National Symphony Orchestra (NSO) performs its annual A Holiday Pops! concerts with Principal Pops Conductor Steven Reineke on Friday, December 14 at 8 p.m. and Saturday, December 15, at 2 and 8 p.m., at the Kennedy Center Concert Hall.
Guest vocalist Ashley Brown, who originated the role of Mary Poppins on Broadway, makes her NSO debut in A Holiday Pops!. She joins the NSO and The Washington Chorus in this festive program for all ages, featuring seasonal favorites including “Jingle Bell Rock,” “Winter Wonderland,” and “Deck the Halls,” as well as an audience sing along, and perhaps a visit from a certain resident of the North Pole!
Concert details follow:
Friday, December 14, 2018 at 8 p.m.
Saturday, December 15, 2018 at 2 p.m.
Saturday, December 15, 2018 at 8 p.m.
Kennedy Center Concert Hall
NATIONAL SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
Steven Reineke, conductor
Ashley Brown, vocals
The Washington Chorus
Christopher Bell, Artistic Director
A HOLIDAY POPS! UNDER THE MISTLETOE
TICKET INFORMATION
Tickets ($24–$99) are available at the Kennedy Center Box Office, online at kennedy-center.org, and via phone through Instant Charge, (202) 467-4700; toll-free at (800) 444-1324. For all other ticket-related customer service inquires, call the Advance Sales Box Office at (202) 416-8540.
ABOUT THE NSO POPS
Show-stopping pops concerts have been a staple of the National Symphony Orchestra’s more than 80 years of performances. These concerts have ranged from performances on a barge on the Potomac River, to concerts on the Ellipse, and in National Parks around the greater Washington area. The 2000–2001 season saw the creation of the post of Principal Pops Conductor specifically for Broadway great Marvin Hamlisch, who held the position until the 2010–2011 season. The 2011–2012 season was the first with Steven Reineke as Principal Pops Conductor. NSO Pops performances take place at all the NSO’s principal performance venues: Wolf Trap, the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol, and in the NSO’s primary home, the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, with a subscription season featuring the Orchestra with guest artists from a variety of musical genres.
The Cathedral Choral Society will celebrate the season with its
annual Joy of Christmas concerts at the Washington National Cathedral. There will be
three performances: Saturday, December 15 at 2:00 and 7:00 pm and Sunday,
December 16 at 4:00 pm. The chorus, led by Music Director Steven Fox, will be joined
by Seraph Brass and The Madrigal Singers from National Cathedral School and St.
Albans School.
A well-loved holiday tradition, this is the 42 nd year the organization has been presenting
these Christmas concerts. The program will include beloved Christmas choral music and
festive sing-alongs. Program highlights include Once in Royal David's City (arr.
Willcocks), Riu, Riu, Chiu (Traditional), Jesus Christ, the Apple Tree (Poston), Ave Maria
(Rachmaninoff), On Christmas Night (arr. Ledger), Hymn to the Mother of God (Britten),
The Blessed Son of God (Vaughan Williams), Mary Had a Baby (arr. Dawson), Welcome
All Wonders (Dirksen), Lo, How a Rose Ere Blooming, and Hark the Herald Angels Sing.
A special feature of the program will be a premiere of a new work by popular composer
Paul Moravec, commissioned by the Cathedral Choral Society.
The concert marks the conducting debut of Cathedral Choral Society’s new Music
Director Steven Fox. In addition to his new role as Music Director, Steven Fox is also
the Artistic Director of The Clarion Orchestra and The Clarion Choir, and Founder of
Musica Antiqua St. Petersburg. A 2017 GRAMMY® nominee, he has appeared as a
guest conductor with many renowned ensembles including Philharmonia Baroque
Orchestra in San Francisco, Handel and Haydn Society in Boston, Juilliard415 at Lincoln
Center, the Charleston Symphony Orchestra, the Quebec Symphony Orchestra, l'Opéra
de Québec, Music of the Baroque in Chicago, and the Tucson Symphony Orchestra.
The Cathedral Choral Society will celebrate the season with its
annual Joy of Christmas concerts at the Washington National Cathedral. There will be
three performances: Saturday, December 15 at 2:00 and 7:00 pm and Sunday,
December 16 at 4:00 pm. The chorus, led by Music Director Steven Fox, will be joined
by Seraph Brass and The Madrigal Singers from National Cathedral School and St.
Albans School.
A well-loved holiday tradition, this is the 42 nd year the organization has been presenting
these Christmas concerts. The program will include beloved Christmas choral music and
festive sing-alongs. Program highlights include Once in Royal David's City (arr.
Willcocks), Riu, Riu, Chiu (Traditional), Jesus Christ, the Apple Tree (Poston), Ave Maria
(Rachmaninoff), On Christmas Night (arr. Ledger), Hymn to the Mother of God (Britten),
The Blessed Son of God (Vaughan Williams), Mary Had a Baby (arr. Dawson), Welcome
All Wonders (Dirksen), Lo, How a Rose Ere Blooming, and Hark the Herald Angels Sing.
A special feature of the program will be a premiere of a new work by popular composer
Paul Moravec, commissioned by the Cathedral Choral Society.
The concert marks the conducting debut of Cathedral Choral Society’s new Music
Director Steven Fox. In addition to his new role as Music Director, Steven Fox is also
the Artistic Director of The Clarion Orchestra and The Clarion Choir, and Founder of
Musica Antiqua St. Petersburg. A 2017 GRAMMY® nominee, he has appeared as a
guest conductor with many renowned ensembles including Philharmonia Baroque
Orchestra in San Francisco, Handel and Haydn Society in Boston, Juilliard415 at Lincoln
Center, the Charleston Symphony Orchestra, the Quebec Symphony Orchestra, l'Opéra
de Québec, Music of the Baroque in Chicago, and the Tucson Symphony Orchestra.
NATIONAL CHAMBER ENSEMBLE – HOLIDAY TIME WARP
Saturday, December 15, 2018 7:30PM
Concert location:
4444 Arlington Blvd,
Free on-site parking