National Symphony Orchestra: University of Maryland Residency

[header graphic - UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND RESIDENCY]

About the Residency | Schedule of Events

The National Symphony Orchestra has announced a new residency initiative with the University of Maryland School of Music that will give both university performance majors and music educators the opportunity to garner hands-on experience with this renowned orchestra. The Residency begins Monday, November 10, 2003 and will include two public performances, one at the University of Maryland’s Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center, and one at the Kennedy Center as part of the Millennium Stage series. Both are free and open to the public.

“The Orchestra welcomes the opportunity to work with the University of Maryland,” said NSO Executive Director Rita Shapiro. “This Residency is a natural partnership for the NSO. We have 16 NSO musicians already active in teaching positions at the University; and in December 2000 Music Director Leonard Slatkin donated his time to work with the UM Symphony Orchestra and conducting students. The UM Concert Choir is scheduled to appear with us for Handel’s Messiah next December, and we also have well-established relationships with Prince George’s County Public School staff and teachers who utilize the educational benefits of the NSO’s Young People’s Concerts at the Kennedy Center.”

The Friday, November 14 side-by-side concert will be performed in The Elsie & Marvin Dekelboum Concert Hall at the Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center, located on the University of Maryland campus.

"The University of Maryland is thrilled about this extraordinary project,” said Christopher Kendall, Director of the University of Maryland School of Music. “The residency is a unique opportunity for our students. Collaborations of this kind are wonderfully enriching and stimulating for students working toward professional orchestral careers. Students face an enormous leap when they leave the university or conservatory realm to enter the world of the professional performer. Every advantage has to be taken – from surviving auditions to adjusting to the demands of different conductors. Most important, this will be an inspirational experience. We also are delighted that the NSO will make itself available to our community, through its Young People’s Concerts for Prince George’s County.”

Dedicated to the educational and outreach facets of its mission, the NSO continues to seek out such opportunities within the greater Washington region as well as across the nation. Re-creating many of the outreach activities the NSO currently undertakes on its annual American Residency program, projects for the University of Maryland School of Music Residency will include seminars on audition techniques, sectional coachings, master classes, educational concerts and workshops on designing and executing educational chamber concerts. The NSO will be able to offer additional Young People’s Concerts for Prince George’s County Public School’s staff and students at the Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center.

The Residency includes two “side-by-side” concerts with members of NSO performing alongside UM students, co-conducted by UM Director of Orchestral Studies James Ross and newly promoted NSO Associate Conductor Emil de Cou.

Please note that all events are closed to the public unless specifically indicated below.

All performances that are open to the public are free, but tickets are required for the Friday, November 14, 2003 concert at 7 p.m. in the Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center. For information about tickets for this concert, call (301) 405-ARTS or visit www.claricesmithcenter.umd.edu

Monday, November 10, 2003:
Coachings, master classes and seminars

Tuesday, November 11, 2003:
Coachings, master classes and seminars

8 p.m., Free Concert - UM Percussion Ensemble Concert
(Open to the Public - No tickets are required.)
John Tafoya, Member of both NSO and
University of Maryland School of Music Faculty
with special appearance by Westfield High School
Percussion Ensemble Dekelboum Concert Hall

Wednesday November 12, 2003:
11 a.m., Young People’s Concert for school groups only (NSO only), Dekelboum Concert Hall, Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center
Afternoon: UMSO/NSO side-by-side orchestra rehearsal

Friday, November 14, 2003:
Afternoon: side-by-side rehearsal

7 p.m., Free Concert at Dekelboum Concert Hall, Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center
(Open to the Public - Free Ticket Information)
Emil de Cou, conductor
James Ross, conductor
Linda Mabbs, soprano

DVORÁK - Scherzo capriccioso, Op. 66
STRAUSS - Four Last Songs
RAVEL - Suites Nos. 1 and 2 from the Ballet Daphnis et Chloé

Please call the Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center Ticket Office at 301-405-ARTS for information or visit www.claricesmithcenter.umd.edu for Ticket Information.

Saturday, November 15, 2003:
6 p.m., Free Concert at Concert Hall, The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
(Open to the Public - No tickets are required.)
Emil de Cou, conductor
James Ross, conductor
Linda Mabbs, soprano

DVORÁK - Scherzo capriccioso, Op. 66
STRAUSS - Four Last Songs
RAVEL - Suites Nos. 1 and 2 from the Ballet Daphnis et Chloé

This concert is a Millennium Stage presentation.