National Symphony Orchestra: 2008 - 2009 Season

Emil de Cou, conductor
Magic Circle Mime Company  
Look out--there are aliens in the Concert Hall! During the course of this fun-filled program, two devious but somewhat bumbling space creatures try to take over an NSO performance--and then, the world! As the concert begins, Associate Conductor Emil de Cou leads the Orchestra through an exploration of America's greatest music. Suddenly, the aliens charge in, rhythmically patting their odd metallic costumes to communicate and using mind control on our unsuspecting conductor! Before anyone can stop them, the NSO is playing Leroy Anderson's classic The Typewriter, with the space creatures as star soloists. What's going on? And can anyone foil the aliens' master plan? Before this quirky mayhem is over, youngsters will enjoy performances of Don Gillis's Symphony X, "Hoe-Down" from Aaron Copland's Rodeo, "A Night in the Tropics" from L.M. Gottschalk's Fiesta Criolla, Scott Joplin's The Entertainer (famous from the movie The Sting), John Williams's "Flying Theme" from E.T., The Extra-Terrestrial, and much more. Get ready for music that's out of this world!

Come Early for the Musical Instrument "Petting Zoo," a project of the Women's Committee for the National Symphony Orchestra. An hour before each NSO Family Concert, young concertgoers can get up close and hands-on with the instruments they'll see played on the stage--from violins, trumpets, and oboes to trombones and percussion--in the Kennedy Center Atrium.

Kids' Chats--Following the 3 p.m. concert, young audience members can ask questions and hear engaging stories in an up-close-and-personal talk with the concert artists.
 

Iván Fischer, host
Bringing all the fun and insight from his popular children's concerts in Europe, the NSO's new Principal Conductor leads this charming 50-minute journey through the art of listening, applause, and great music! As NSO musicians perform engaging selections of kid-friendly works, Fischer moves around the stage and among the audience, asking such questions as "when do we clap when we like what we hear?" and "how does the music make you feel?" The Washington Post calls these concerts "a well-conceived program of music-making and conversation…the children listened in delight as the flowing melodies formed a colorful weave." No wonder they've quickly sold out for the past two seasons!

Back by popular demand! If you love animals and silly slapstick (and who doesn't!), then don't miss four NSO musicians in this zany program! The Kennedy String Quartet (Holly Hamilton and Jane Bowyer Stewart, violins; James Deighan, viola; and David Teie, cello) inspires everyone to listen, laugh, and learn through vivid music from the classic repertoire. Then they jump right into antic storytelling with The Donkey, the Goat, and the Little Dog by acclaimed composer and playwright Susan Kander. The Washington Post called last season's concert "a friendly and often hilarious introduction to the string quartet… as big on theatrics as it was on playing. Hugely enjoyable!" For age 4 and up.

Yvonne Caruthers, cello and host
While nearly everyone is taught that the Star Spangled Banner was written during the War of 1812, and that the Battle Hymn of the Republic was a favorite song during the Civil War, how many people know there's a link between the Erie Canal and Beethoven's "Ode to Joy"? How about the connection between Jingle Bells, a famous slave's fight for freedom, and steel-making? Or what Joy to the World has to do with the John Deere plow? Don't miss this new multimedia program from Yvonne Caruthers, the creator of our popular Science and Music and Math and Music series. She'll be joined by several of her NSO colleagues to integrate many of today's most recognizable music works with landmarks from 19th-century American history. Age 9 and up.

Back by popular demand! Enjoy stories with music with NSO principals Marissa Regni on violin and Dotian Levalier on harp, with Marissa's father Albert Regni on four different saxophones. The program features musical selections about animals including The Three Pigs, Teddy Bear Rag, The Swan, and Baby Elephant Walk. Along with full-sized instruments, the musicians will perform on their miniature counterparts. For ages 3 to 5.

Kids can bring their favorite stuffed animal to these interactive programs and have their teddy bear friend join in all the fun! Lasting approximately 45 minutes, they're perfect for even the youngest music lovers in your family. Last season's concerts quickly sold out.

Emil de Cou, conductor
In preparation for the first game of the 2009 baseball season, the NSO presents a thrilling music program inspired by teamwork! Starting with our national anthem--just like a day at the stadium--the concert then launches into favorites that show how instruments interact to make beautiful music. A special highlight will be Steven Reineke's captivating Casey at the Bat, for narrator and orchestra. Featuring Ernest Thayer's famous nail-biting poem, the work depicts the mightiest of baseball players at a critical "bases-loaded" moment. Expect plenty of surprise appearances by local sports and music stars, and maybe even Emil and the Orchestra dressed in your favorite team jerseys. Forget about striking out, it's time to strike up the band!

Come Early for the Musical Instrument "Petting Zoo," a project of the Women's Committee for the National Symphony Orchestra. An hour before each NSO Family Concert, young concertgoers can get up close and hands-on with the instruments they'll see played on the stage--from violins, trumpets, and oboes to trombones and percussion--in the Kennedy Center Atrium.

Kids' Chats--Following the 3 p.m. concert, young audience members can ask questions and hear engaging stories in an up-close-and-personal talk with the concert artists.

Back by popular demand! Join NSO principals violinist Marissa Regni and harpist Dotian Levalier as they show how different sounds, melodies, rhythms, and instruments can be used to bring a story to life. Through such favorites as "The Waltzing Cat," Ferdinand the Bull," "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star," and more, you'll use your imagination to see, hear, and feel the music. For ages 3 to 5.
 
Kids can bring their favorite stuffed animal to these interactive programs and have their teddy bear friend join in all the fun! Lasting approximately 45 minutes, they're perfect for even the youngest music lovers in your family. Last season's concerts quickly sold out.

Take a journey around the world and discover the exciting pulse of music! From Africa to America, nature to noise, classical to Cuba, explore where rhythm comes from, how it flavors our lives and lives within the music of the orchestra. This delightful, high-energy program features Glenn Donnellan, violin; Richard Barber, bass; Edward Cabarga, clarinet; Adel Sanchez, trumpet; and Joseph Connell, percussion. Repertoire will include the "Habanera" from Bizet's Carmen, excerpts from Mendelssohn's "Italian" Symphony, Beethoven's "Pastoral" Symphony, and Rossini's William Tell Overture. For age 4 and up.

Little kids love dress-up, as do the playful musicians spinning this story about a teddy bear whose zany collection of hats represents a wide variety of music, from Haydn to Sousa and beyond. Presented by NSO musicians William Wielgus, oboe; Aaron Goldman, flute; and Janet Frank, cello; children will be actively engaged as listeners in an atmosphere of fun. For ages 3 to 5.

Kids can bring their favorite stuffed animal to these interactive programs and have their teddy bear friend join in all the fun! Lasting approximately 45 minutes, they're perfect for even the youngest music lovers in your family. Last season's concerts quickly sold out.

Sarah Hatsuko Hicks, conductor
With a twitch of his whiskers and a shake of his tail, D.C.'s favorite baton-wielding mouse is ready to make his Family Concert debut! The lively star of Peter and Cheryl Barnes's popular children's book has kept the paparazzi on their toes with sightings all around our nation's capital, from the Instrument "Petting Zoo" to the White House Easter Egg Roll. Now Maestro Mouse's fame is about to skyrocket. The program will feature the world premiere of a new Kennedy Center–commissioned symphonic adventure for orchestra and actors. Composed by Susan Kander with a story by Mary Hall Surface, the new work tells of a maestro of a mouse who opens up a whole new world to a little girl through music.

Come Early for the Musical Instrument "Petting Zoo," a project of the Women's Committee for the National Symphony Orchestra. An hour before each NSO Family Concert, young concertgoers can get up close and hands-on with the instruments they'll see played on the stage--from violins, trumpets, and oboes to trombones and percussion--in the Kennedy Center Atrium.

Kids' Chats--Following the 3 p.m. concert, young audience members can ask questions and hear engaging stories in an up-close-and-personal talk with the concert artists.