Breaking out of their luxurious digs at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, the National Symphony Orchestra (NSO) is hitting the streets of DC this month.
From Ben's Chili Bowl to the Shiloh Baptist Church to Dahlak Eritrean Restaurant, the NSO is performing in some very unexpected places.
With more than 40 different musical and educational activities, the National Symphony Orchestra will make U Street, Howard University, Shaw, and Logan Circle its home between January 8 and January 14, 2013.
This area's rich cultural history has inspired many of the planned events, and a few selected highlights follow, as well as a full listing of the activities.
Events are not just limited to free concerts; the comprehensive menu of offerings includes films, discussions, and collaborations with the Humanities Council of Washington, DC.
Events begin Tuesday, January 8 with a Roundtable Discussion/Brown Bag Lunch Forum at Watha T. Daniel/Shaw Library, 1630 7th St., NW, 12-1 p.m.
Film and Discussion: 'Duke Ellington's Washington', African American Civil War Museum, 1925 Vermont Ave., NW, 1-2:30 p.m. View a screening of Hedrick Smith's historical documentary, a dynamic blend of the music and pictures that illuminate both young Duke Ellington and the hometown that nurtured him. A discussion with members of DC's jazz community follows, moderated by Kevin Struthers, Director of Kennedy Center Jazz Programming. This event is a collaboration with the Humanities Council of DC.
Opening Event at the Howard Theatre, 620 T St., NW, 7:30-9 p.m. 'The NSO In Your Neighborhood' kick-off event features members of the National Symphony in an evening of chamber music and jazz at the newly renovated Howard Theatre. Free, but registration is required. Seating is limited and on a first-come, first-served basis. To reserve a seat (a limit of 4), register on the web site.
Ensemble Performance at Ben's Chili Bowl/Next Door, 1213 U St., NW/1211 U St., NW, 9-10 p.m. NSO invites DC residents to bring their appetite for both music and food:
'No visit to U Street would be complete without a stop at Ben's Chili Bowl! As part of their "Live @ Ben's Next Door" series, NSO trombonists Craig Mulcahy, Barry Hearn, Matt Guilford, and David Murray perform a variety of classical and popular music. Come hungry!'
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9
Recital: Kari Quartet, Howard University's Blackburn Center Gallery, 2455 6th St., NW, 12-1 p.m. NSO musicians Alexandra Osborne and Joel Fuller, violins; Mahoko Eguchi, viola; and Rachel Young, cello, play classical works. Part of Howard University Department of Music's Centennial Celebration.
Chamber Music at Washington DC Jewish Community Center, 1529 16th St., NW, 5:30-6:30 p.m. NSO musicians Holly Hamilton, violin; William Wielgus, oboe; and guest pianist Brad Clark play classical works.
THURSDAY, JANUARY 10
Master Classes, Howard University's Childers Hall/Fine Arts Building, 2455 6th St., NW, 12-1:15 p.m. Howard University Department of Music students participate in master classes led by NSO musicians Elisabeth Adkins, violin; Tom Cupples, trumpet; Craig Mulcahy, trombone; Alice Kogan Weinreb, flute; William Wielgus, oboe; Jauvon Gilliam, timpani; and Elizabeth Blakeslee, harp. Part of Howard University Department of Music's Centennial Celebration.
Ensemble Performance, Hemphill Fine Arts, 1515 14th St., NW, Ste. 300, 6-7 p.m.
NSO musicians William Wielgus, oboe; Yvonne Caruthers, cello; and Carole Bean, flute, perform. A Q&A with the musicians follows the performance.
Chamber Music: Kari Quartet, Busboys and Poets, 2021 14th St., NW, 7-9 p.m.
NSO musicians Alexandra Osborne and Joel Fuller, violins; Mahoko Eguchi, viola; and Rachel Young, cello, perform.
FRIDAY, JANUARY 11
Ensemble Performance, Shiloh Baptist Church, 1500 9th St., NW, 7:30-8:30 p.m.
NSO musicians Carole Bean, flute; Jamie Roberts, oboe; Edward Cabarga, clarinet; Steven Wilson, bassoon; and James Nickel, horn, play classical works for youth and families.
SATURDAY, JANUARY 12
Percussion Workshop with Batalá Washington, 9:30 Club, 815 V St., NW, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
Regularly engaged NSO percussionists Joe Connell, Danny Villanueva, and Aubrey Adams join the all-women percussion band Batalá Washington in a demonstration and workshop. Audience members are welcome to bring their own drums and to actively participate in this event.
Family Concert, Lincoln Theatre, 1215 U St., NW, 3-4 p.m.
The National Symphony Orchestra performs the enduring children's favorite Peter and the Wolf led by Assistant Conductor Ankush Kumar Bahl and narrated by WAMU's Kojo Nnamdi. Also featured will be flutist Emma Resmini, the youngest student ever admitted to the NSO's Youth Fellowship program. Immediately following the concert, enjoy the ever-popular Musical Instrument "Petting Zoo," a project of the Women's Committee for the NSO. Free; registration is required. Seating is limited and on a first-come, first-served basis. To reserve a seat (limit of 4), click the Register button.
Ensemble Performance: 'Viva Violins,' Lincoln Temple, 1701 11th St., NW, 6-7 p.m.
NSO violinists Elisabeth Adkins, Holly Hamilton, Linda Schroeder, and Jane Bowyer Stewart play classical works for children, youth, and families.
Community Performance: 'Follow That Fiddle,' Thurgood Marshall Center, 1816 12th St., NW, 6-7 p.m. NSO violinist Glenn Donnellan plays classical works for children, youth, and families. This event is in collaboration with the YMCA Anthony Bowen of Metropolitan Washington.
Jazz and Chamber Music, Twins Jazz, 1344 U St., NW, 8 & 10 p.m.
NSO musicians Jeffrey Weisner, bass; David Teie, cello; Ruth Wicker Schaaf, viola; and the Eric Wheeler Trio perform two 90-minute sets of classical and jazz works.
SUNDAY, JANUARY 13
Master Class, Source, Rehearsal Studio, 1835 14th St., NW, 2-3:30 p.m.
Students from the Horman Violin Studio participate in a violin master class led by NSO violinist Heather Green. This event is in collaboration with Cultural DC.
Chamber Music, Vermont Avenue Baptist Church, 1630 Vermont Ave., NW, 3-4 p.m.
NSO violinist Natasha Bogachek and pianist Darya Gabay play works by Dvořák, William Grant Still, and Gershwin.
Ensemble Performance, Whole Foods (Logan Circle location), 1440 P St., NW, 4-5 p.m.
'Enjoy great music while taking care of your grocery list! NSO trombonists Craig Mulcahy, Barry Hearn, Matt Guilford, and David Murray perform a variety of classical and popular music.'
Community Performance, Florida Avenue Baptist Church, 623 Florida Ave., NW, 5-6:30 p.m. Florida Avenue Baptist Church and the African American Civil War Museum commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation, in a community concert featuring members of NSO.
Professional Development Workshop, Source, Rehearsal Studio, 1835 14 St., NW, 5-6 p.m. Led by NSO cellist Yvonne Caruthers, students from the Horman Violin Studio participate in a workshop designed to assist young musicians to develop education and outreach performances. This event is in collaboration with Cultural DC.
Chamber Music, Room and Board, 1840 14th St., NW, 6-7 p.m. NSO musicians Nurit Bar-Josef and Heather Green, violins; and Abigail Evans, viola, play classical works.
Jam Session, Dahlak Eritrean Restaurant, 1771 U St., NW, 6:30-9:30 p.m.
NSO violinist Glenn Donnellan performs with local jazz musicians as a part of DC Jazz Jam, a weekly no-cover jazz jam session held every Sunday evening in the heart of Washington DC's historic U Street jazz corridor.
MONDAY, JANUARY 14
Recital, Howard University's Childers Recital Hall, 2455 6th St., NW, 12-1 p.m.
NSO Musicians Nick Stovall, oboe; Loren Kitt, clarinet; Truman Harris, bassoon; Laurel Bennert Ohlson, horn; and Alice Weinreb, flute, play classical works.
NSO at Howard University's Cramton Auditorium
NSO Howard University's Cramton Auditorium, 2455 6th St., NW, 7-9 p.m.
Led by NSO Music Director Christoph Eschenbach and NSO Principal Pops Conductor Steven Reineke, the National Symphony performs a full concert at Howard University. The program will include the Washington premiere of George Walker's Sinfonia No. 4, co-commissioned by the NSO. Part of Howard University Department of Music's Centennial Celebration. Free, but registration is required. Seating is limited and on a first-come, first-served basis. Register online or visit the Cramton Auditorium Box Office.
Funded by generous grants from The Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation, Linda and Tobia Mercuro, and Tina and Albert Small Jr., the National Symphony Orchestra's Community Engagement Program is credited to the generosity of Mrs. Irene Pollin.
Alice and David Rubenstein are the Presenting Underwriters of the NSO.
Additional support is provided by an award from the National Endowment for the Arts.
Check the NSO web site for the complete schedule, details and registration.
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