A Holiday Pops! with Melinda
Doolittle
THE JOHN F. KENNEDY CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS
DECEMBER 12, 2025 AT 8 P.M.; DECEMBER 13, 2025 AT 2 P.M. AND 8 P.M. | CONCERT HALL
A Holiday Pops! with
Melinda Doolittle
Steven Reineke, conductor
Melinda Doolittle, singer
Patrons are requested to silence cell phones and other electronic devices during performances. The taking of photographs and the use of recording equipment are not allowed in this venue.
All events and artists subject to change without prior notice.
THANK YOU TO OUR SEASON SPONSOR
Presenting Sponsor
Welcome
Dear Friends,
As we open the National Symphony Orchestra’s 95th season, I want to take a moment to express my heartfelt thanks to you—our devoted patrons, supporters, and friends. Your presence this evening, and your unwavering support throughout the year, mean more than words can convey. It is your love of music, your generosity, and your steadfast belief in the arts that delight this remarkable orchestra.
In 1931, Hans Kindler founded the NSO with a bold vision: to build a world-class symphony orchestra in the heart of our nation’s capital. Nearly a century later, that vision continues to be our driving force. Today, under the dynamic artistic leadership of Gianandrea Noseda, we are more inspired than ever to share powerful performances with our audiences. The NSO is not simply an orchestra; it is a family of artists joined together through a shared love of music, unity of purpose, and commitment to something greater than us.
The NSO is more than what you see on stage—it is a living, breathing institution devoted to enriching lives. Our robust education and community engagement programs reach thousands of students, educators, and families each year. Between our Youth Fellowship Program and Summer Music Institute, to Young People’s Concerts, we strive to make music accessible to everyone—especially the next generation.
This commitment to connect with broader audiences is also seen through our vibrant, genre-defying series, led by the remarkable Steven Reineke, our Principal Conductor and Artistic Advisor. Steven brings a wide-reaching musical vision to the NSO, bridging genres and generations. His programming has opened the door for new audiences to discover a love for orchestral music, while continuing to captivate longtime fans with the highest levels of artistry.
As we embark on this milestone season, we are reminded that our journey would not be possible without you. Thank you for being an essential part of this vibrant and enduring musical community.
With deepest gratitude and warmest regards,
Jean Davidson Executive Director National Symphony Orchestra
From the Conductor
Welcome, from my seat on the podium to yours.
There’s nothing quite like the feeling of stepping into the Concert Hall—the shared joy, the anticipation in the air, and the sense of connection that comes with live music.
This season, I’m thrilled to welcome you to a bold, reimagined NSO experience: a genre-defying journey where iconic music meets symphonic fire.
I’m looking forward, along with some special guest conductors, to bringing the full power of the National Symphony Orchestra to everything from the irresistible grooves of the Bee Gees to the cinematic magic of John Williams. We’ll bring you the awe-inspiring acrobatics of Cirque España! with our friends at Troupe Vertigo, push boundaries with the unexpected beauty of Brahms x Radiohead, and fill the Concert Hall with soaring soundtracks from The Princess Bride and Marvel Studios’ Infinity Saga performed live-to-picture.
We’ll premiere powerful new music with American Promise, and as the holidays approach, gather for cherished traditions like A Holiday Pops! I’m also excited to bring you Steven’s Classical Mixtape—an evening of handpicked favorites that blend heart, storytelling, and the symphonic sounds I love most.
As we celebrate the NSO’s 95th anniversary, I’m reminded that the NSO reaches far beyond these walls. It lives in every audience we play for, and every community we touch. That’s the power of this orchestra, and it’s all made possible by you.
Here’s to another unforgettable season!
Steven Reineke Principal Conductor and Artistic Advisor
National Symphony Orchestra
Meet the Artists
Steven Reineke, conductor
Steven Reineke is one of North America's leading conductors of popular music and is in his second decade as Music Director of the New York Pops at Carnegie Hall. Additionally, he is Principal Conductor and Artistic Advisor of the National Symphony Orchestra (NSO) at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and Principal Pops Conductor of the Houston Symphony and Toronto Symphony Orchestra.
Reineke is a frequent guest conductor and can be seen on the podium with the Chicago, Dallas, and Detroit Symphony Orchestras, as well as the Philadelphia Orchestra.
On stage, Mr. Reineke creates and collaborates with a range of leading artists from the worlds of hip hop, R&B, Broadway, television, and rock, including Killer Mike, Maxwell, Common, Kendrick Lamar, Nas, Ne-Yo, Bob Weir, Trey Anastasio, Barry Manilow, Cynthia Erivo, Ben Rector, Cody Fry, Sutton Foster, Amos Lee, Dispatch, Jason Mraz, and Ben Folds, among others. In 2024, he led the NSO on PBS's Next at the Kennedy Center featuring Ben Folds’ DECLASSIFIED® with Jacob Collier, Laufey, and dodie. He was previously seen with the NSO on PBS on Great Performances with hip-hop legend Nas performing his seminal album, Illmatic. In 2017, he was featured on National Public Radio's All Things Considered, leading the NSO—in a first for the show's history—performing live music excerpts in between news segments.
As the creator of hundreds of orchestral arrangements, Reineke’s work is performed worldwide and can be heard on numerous Cincinnati Pops Orchestra recordings. His symphonic works Celebration Fanfare, Legend of Sleepy Hollow, and Casey at the Bat are performed frequently in North America, including performances by the New York Philharmonic and Los Angeles Philharmonic. His Sun Valley
Festival Fanfare was used to commemorate the Sun Valley Summer Symphony’s pavilion, and his Festival Te Deum and Swan’s Island Sojourn were debuted by the Cincinnati Symphony and Cincinnati Pops Orchestras. His numerous wind ensemble compositions are published by the C. L. Barnhouse Company and are performed by concert bands perennially.
A native of Ohio, Mr. Reineke is a graduate of Miami University of Ohio (2020 Alumnus Distinguished Achievement Medal), where he earned Bachelor of Music degrees with honors in both trumpet performance and music composition. He currently resides in New York City with his husband, Eric Gabbard.
Melinda Doolittle, singer
Melinda Doolittle is a soul-stirring songstress. She is a flawless vocalist with irresistible artistry and effortless style, compelling her audiences to keep listening.
Tone deaf as a child, Doolittle’s choir teacher would plead with her not to sing, but just silently move her mouth. Undaunted, her love of singing drove her to enter a talent show in the seventh grade, where she stunned the audience with her miraculously spot-on vocals and beautiful voice. She never looked back!
Doolittle graduated with a Bachelor’s in Music from Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee. She became a highly sought-after background vocalist, singing for musical icons including Michael McDonald, Aretha Franklin, BeBe & CeCe Winans, Aaron Neville, and Jonny Lang. Doolittle became a household name during season six of American Idol in 2007. She came in third in the voting, but first with Simon Cowell—he called her his “personal favorite.” She quickly became the sweetheart of American Idol, winning over the hearts of all with her stunning, powerhouse vocals and her personal charm.
In 2009, Doolittle released her debut album, Coming Back to You, garnering rave reviews from critics, including The New York Times, which hailed her as one of the most “phenomenally gifted” singers in years. In 2013, she released her sophomore album, You’re The Reason, giving fans yet another opportunity to hear her impeccable vocals and revealing a bit more of her personality. People Magazine stated, “Her voice is a slinky purr then a mighty growl that will keep you coming back for more.” In the middle of her album releases, she penned her book Beyond Me: Finding Your Way to Life's Next Level. Melinda was also the well-loved co-host of TV Line’s Reality Check.
Doolittle continues to thrill audiences everywhere from the Rock & Rock Hall of Fame to the White House, from the Copa Room to Carnegie Hall. In addition, she has been a featured guest with the Boston Pops, Charlotte Symphony, and United States Air Force Orchestra, to name a few, including a featured performer at the 2015 Boston Pops Fourth of July Spectacular. She is currently headlining her own soulful show, Great American Soul Book. In thankfulness for all she has been given, Doolittle gives back to these amazing organizations: Vanderbilt Children's Hospital, Ronald McDonald House, The League, and Malaria No More.
National Symphony Orchestra
The 2025–2026 season is the National Symphony Orchestra’s 95th and Music Director Gianandrea Noseda’s ninth season. Gianandrea Noseda serves as the orchestra’s seventh music director, joining the NSO’s legacy of distinguished leaders: Christoph Eschenbach, Leonard Slatkin, Mstislav Rostropovich, Antal Doráti, Howard Mitchell, and Hans Kindler. Its artistic leadership also includes Principal Conductor and Artistic Advisor Steven Reineke.
Since its founding in 1931, the NSO has been committed to performances that enrich the lives of its audience and community members. In 1986, the National Symphony became an artistic affiliate of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, where it has
performed since the Center opened in 1971. The 96-member NSO participates in events of national and international importance, including the annual nationally televised concerts on the lawn of the U.S. Capitol,live-streamed performances on medici.tv, and local radio broadcasts on WETA Classical 90.9 FM.
Since launching its eponymous recording label in 2020, the NSO has embarked on ambitious recording projects, including its first complete Beethoven Symphony cycle and the release of the first-ever cycle of George Walker’s Sinfonias, both led by Noseda. Recent projects include Four Symphonic Works by Kennedy Center Composer-in-Residence Carlos Simon conducted by Noseda, and William Shatner’s So Fragile, So Blue, recorded live in the Concert Hall with the NSO under Steven Reineke. Forthcoming releases with Gianandrea Noseda include music by Gustav Mahler and William Grant Still, as well as Samuel Barber’s opera Vanessa.
The NSO’s community engagement and education projects are nationally recognized, and career development opportunities for young musicians include the NSO Youth Fellowship Program and its acclaimed, tuition-free Summer Music Institute.
Loud and Clear
Eight terms to know in the Concert Hall, loosely defined.
Symphony
An extended work with multiple sections—typically four movements.
A “symphonic” piece is a long piece with multiple interpretations of a musical idea. A repeated, transformed musical idea is called a theme
Orchestra
A group of musicians who play together.
In the Western European tradition, an orchestra often includes the four major instrument families—brass, woodwinds, strings, and percussion. An especially large orchestra is called a symphony orchestra. A smaller orchestra is called a chamber orchestra.
Movement
A section of a musical work. Movements are often separated by silences, and they typically differ in tempo—speed.
Oratorio
An extended musical composition for chorus, soloists, and orchestra. Oratorios are often religious in nature. Though they may follow a narrative, oratorios are generally presented in concert form—without costumes, scenery, or props.
Opera
A musical play with singers who perform a staged version of the dramatic text—the libretto.
Sonata
Originally, a musical composition played on instruments. In modern usage, “sonata” can mean a piece for a soloist or an ensemble, often with two to four movements.
If a work or a movement is written in sonata form, it is structured in three sections: exposition, development, and recapitulation.
Concerto
A piece pairing a technically advanced soloist with the support of an orchestra, usually in three movements. Though there may be multiple soloists, the contrast between a larger ensemble and a soloing group defines a concerto.
Cantata
A musical composition that is shorter than an oratorio with both a vocal and an instrumental part. Cantatas are often used in church services— church cantatas
National Symphony Orchestra
GIANANDREA NOSEDA , MUSIC DIRECTOR
The Roger Sant and Congresswoman Doris Matsui Chair
STEVEN REINEKE , PRINCIPAL CONDUCTOR AND ARTISTIC ADVISOR
VIOLINS
Nurit Bar-Josef, Concertmaster
Ying Fu, Associate Concertmaster, The Jeanne Weaver Ruesch Chair
Ricardo Cyncynates, Assistant Concertmaster
Xiaoxuan Shi, Second Assistant Concertmaster
Jane Bowyer Stewart
Heather LeDoux Green
Lisa-Beth Lambert
Jing Qiao
Marina Aikawa
Peiming Lin
Derek Powell
Regino Madrid**
Meredith Riley**
Marissa Regni, Principal
Dayna Hepler, Assistant Principal
Cynthia R. Finks
Deanna Lee Bien
Glenn Donnellan
Natasha Bogachek
Carole Tafoya Evans
Jae-Yeon Kim
Wanzhen Li
Hanna Lee
Benjamin Scott
Malorie Blake Shin
Angelia Cho
Kei Sugiyama**
VIOLAS
Daniel Foster, Principal, The Mrs. John Dimick Chair
Dana Kelley, Assistant Principal
Denise Wilkinson
Nancy Thomas
Jennifer Mondie
Tsuna Sakamoto
Ruth Wicker
Mahoko Eguchi
Abigail Evans Kreuzer
Rebecca Epperson
Chiara Dieguez**
Jacob Shack**
CELLOS
David Hardy, Principal, The Hans Kindler Chair, The Strong Family and the Hattie M. Strong Foundation
Raymond Tsai, Assistant Principal
David Teie
James Lee
Rachel Young
Mark Evans
Eugena Chang Riley
Loewi Lin
Britton Riley
Noah Krauss
BASSES
Robert Oppelt, Principal
Richard Barber, Assistant Principal
Jeffrey Weisner
Ira Gold
Paul DeNola
Charles Nilles
Alexander Jacobsen
Michael Marks
HARP
Adriana Horne, Principal
FLUTES
Aaron Goldman, Principal
Leah Arsenault Barrick, Assistant Principal
Matthew Ross
Carole Bean, Piccolo
OBOES
Nicholas Stovall, Principal, The Volunteer Council Chair
Jamie Roberts, Assistant Principal
Harrison Linsey***
Kathryn Meany Wilson***, English Horn
CLARINETS
Lin Ma, Principal
Eugene Mondie, Assistant Principal
Paul Cigan
Peter Cain, Bass Clarinet
BASSOONS
Sue Heineman, Principal
David Young, Assistant Principal
Steven Wilson
Sean Gordon, Contrabassoon
HORNS
Abel Pereira, Principal, The National Trustees’ Chair
James Nickel, Acting Associate Principal
Markus Osterlund***
Scott Fearing
Robert Rearden
Geoffrey Pilkington**
TRUMPETS
William Gerlach, Principal, The Howard Mitchell Chair, The Strong Family and the Hattie M. Strong Foundation
Michael Harper, Assistant Principal
Michail Thompson
Tom Cupples
TROMBONES
Craig Mulcahy, Principal
Evan Williams, Assistant Principal
David Murray
Matthew Guilford, Bass Trombone
TUBA
Stephen Dumaine, Principal, The James V. Kimsey Chair
TIMPANI
Jauvon Gilliam, Principal, The Marion E. Glover Chair
Scott Christian, Assistant Principal
PERCUSSION
Eric Shin, Principal, The Hechinger Foundation Chair
Erin Dowrey, Assistant Principal
Scott Christian
Jason Niehoff*
KEYBOARD
Lambert Orkis, Principal
Lisa Emenheiser*
ORGAN
William Neil*
LIBRARIANS
Elizabeth Cusato Schnobrick, Principal
Zen Stokdyk, Associate
Karen Lee, Assistant
PERSONNEL
Karyn Garvin, Director
Sufyan Naaman**, Coordinator
STAGE MANAGERS
David Langrell, Manager
N. Christian Bottorff, Assistant Manager
The National Symphony Orchestra uses a system of revolving strings. In each string section, untitled members are listed in order of length of service.
*Regularly Engaged Extra Musician
** Temporary Position
***Leave of Absence
National Symphony Orchestra Staff
ADMINISTRATION
Jean Davidson, Executive Director
Sabryn McDonald, Executive Assistant
EXECUTIVE TEAM
Kasama Apfelbaum, Vice President, Financial Planning & Analysis
Nigel Boon, Vice President, Artistic Planning
John Roloff, Vice President, Orchestra Operations
ARTISTIC PLANNING
Justin Ellis, Senior Producing Director
Emily Graham, Assistant Artistic Administrator
Ana Vashakmadze, Assistant Artistic Administrator
DEVELOPMENT
Kate Baker, Assistant Manager, NSO Board and Leadership Campaigns
Laney Pleasanton, Manager, NSO Individual Giving
Pamela Wardell, Senior Director of Development
EDUCATION
Vanessa Thomas, Director of Education Activation & Engagements
FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION
Eric Rubio, Director of Finance & Administration
HUMAN RESOURCES
Tony Amato, Director, Total Rewards
Chanel Kemp, Talent Acquisition Manager
Patrice McNeill, Director, HR Operations
Lisa Motti, HRIS Coordinator
Ericka Parham, Benefits Analyst
John Sanford, Senior Business Partner
MARKETING & ADVERTISING
Scott Bushnell, Senior Director, Creative and Brand Strategy
Lily Maroni, Senior Manager, Advertising Communications
Elizabeth Stoltz, Advertising Production & Special Projects Assistant Manager
Kaila Willard, Marketing Manager, Analytics and CRM Strategy
Derek Younger, Director, Sales & Ticketing Service
ORCHESTRA OPERATIONS & CONCERT PRODUCTION
Brooke Bartolome, Assistant Manager, Orchestra Operations
Joseph Benitez, Media & OPAS Support Coordinator
N. Christian Bottorff, Assistant Stage Manager
Cayley Carroll, Director, Production & Orchestra Operations
Karyn Garvin, Director of Orchestra Personnel
David Langrell, Stage Manager
Sufyan Naaman, Personnel and Auditions Coordinator
Ava Yap, Operations Assistant
PUBLIC RELATIONS
Amanda Fischer, Deputy Director of Public Relations
Kennedy Center Staff
KENNEDY CENTER EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP
President, John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
Chief Financial Officer
Ambassador Richard Grenell
Donna Arduin General Counsel
Senior Vice President, Development
Senior Vice President, Marketing
Senior Vice President, Special Events
Vice President, Human
Vice President, Operations
Vice President,
Vice President, Public Relations
Chief Information Officer
Executive Director, National Symphony Orchestra
General Director, Washington
Concert Hall Staff
Theater Manager
Box Office Treasurer
Berke
Dale
Osborne
Donlon
Allen V. McCallum Jr.
Deborah Glover
Head Usher Cathy Crocker
Stage Crew
*Represented by ATPAM, the Association of Theatrical Press Agents and Managers.
The technicians at the Kennedy Center are represented by Local #22, Local #772, and Local #798 I.A.T.S.E. AFL-CIO-CLC, the professional union of theatrical technicians.
Zach Boutilier, Michael Buchman, Paul Johannes, April King, John Ottaviano, and Arielle Qorb
Steinway Piano Gallery is the exclusive area representative of Steinway & Sons and Boston pianos, the official pianos of the Kennedy Center.
The American Guild of Musical Artists, the union of professional singers, dancers and production personnel in opera, ballet and concert, affiliated with the AFL-CIO, represents the Artists and Staging Staff for the purposes of collective bargaining.
The box office at the Kennedy Center is represented by I.A.T.S.E, Local #868.
National Symphony Orchestra musicians are represented by the Metropolitan Washington, D.C. Federation of Musicians, AFM Local 161-710.
Orchestrated Lives
Each month, the National Symphony Orchestra (NSO) spotlights a different musician in the Orchestra. For this program, Principal Second Violin Marissa Regni, the daughter of two professional musicians, discusses youth engagement, her unbridled gnome obsession, and the @NSO_Musicians Instagram page.
Name: Marissa Regni
Hometown: Ridgewood, New Jersey
Instrument: Violin
Years with the NSO: 29
Do you have a favorite educational program that you’ve been a part of? I love doing the Young People’s Concerts. I’ve been hosting them for, gosh, probably 10 years or something. The show that we’re doing now is called Philharmonia Fantastique. It’s a really fun program because we introduce kids to the orchestra one section at a time. They get the sound of the instruments in their heads at a time when they’re probably picking an instrument in school.
Would you say that the @NSO_Musicians Instagram page appeals to that same want for accessibility and friendliness in the Concert Hall? Absolutely. Audiences never get to talk to us. We seem sort of untouchable, and we’re very serious when we’re playing— they always see us dressed up in black. I want people to realize that we’re humans. We mow our lawns. It’s that famous line—we put our pants on one leg at a time. As soon as you say, ‘‘Oh I heard that principal trumpet talk, and he has a great sense of humor,’’ it totally changes your experience. You feel more connected with the whole product. You feel more invested, right?
To turn that back on you: An audience member walks into the Concert Hall, they open the program, they’re reading this interview, and they come across an extremely humanizing fact about Marissa. What is it? I mean, I have a total gnome addiction. You know little gnomes with the nose and the hat that comes down? If there's one in front of me in a store, I have to buy it. It’s ridiculous; I have many for every holiday.
Do you have a favorite onstage or offstage memory of your time at the NSO? We used to do residencies in different states every year. We stopped doing those ages ago because of funding, but that was one of my favorites. We would go to states that didn't have big symphony orchestras, and we would break into little groups, and everyone would do outreach. One of my favorites was when we were in Arizona, and a percussionist, a harpist, and I went to a school on a reservation and played. They had never seen our instruments before. We did a collaboration where the elders came and played some of their instruments, like a Native American harp— instruments that we had never seen before. That, to me, was more meaningful.
What are you most excited about playing this December? Messiah is an amazing piece because no two conductors do it the same way. Honest to goodness, every year it's different—different interpretation, different approach, just a completely different beast. Ton Koopman did some concerts with us a few years ago, and I really enjoyed that week with him. The other thing that we do in December is the ugly Christmas sweater concert at The Anthem. I love that because everybody gets totally into it— people in the audience come up and have a costume contest.
Support your ORCHESTRA
The mission of the National Symphony Orchestra, an affiliate of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, is to engage audiences locally, across the country, and around the world through excellence in performance and education. Each year, the NSO offers approximately 150 concerts as well as some of the country’s most extensive community and educational programming. It regularly participates in events of national and international importance, including performances for state occasions, high-level government events, and regularly televised holiday appearances for Capitol Concerts and local radio broadcasts on WETA, making the NSO one of the most-heard orchestras in the country.
Give your support in this 95th season by becoming a Member, joining the NSO Circles, or pledging a Legacy Gift. Visit tkc.co/SupportNSO or scan the QR code.
Thank You to Kennedy Center Supporters
The Kennedy Center Board of Trustees
National Symphony Orchestra Board of Directors
Washington National Opera Board of Trustees
The Kennedy Center President’s Council
The Kennedy Center International Committee on the Arts
President’s Advisory Committee on the Arts
National Committee for the Performing Arts
National Symphony Orchestra National Trustees
The Kennedy Center Circles Board
The Kennedy Center Community Advisory Board
The Kennedy Center Corporate Fund Board
The Kennedy Center 50th Anniversary Committee
Corporate Donors
Individual and Foundation Donors
Endowment Gifts, Bequests, and Legacy Donors
Building the Future Campaign Donors
Visit tkc.co/Support for a full listing of donors and to learn how you can join us by becoming a Member.
Andrew Geraci
More Concerts this Season!
Brahms x Radiohead
Created and conducted by visionary composer Steve Hackman, Brahms X Radiohead fuses elements of Brahms’ lush Symphony No. 1 with Radiohead’s landmark album OK Computer. Composed for full orchestra and three solo vocalists, this symphonic synthesis offers a reconceptualized experience of each track.
February 10 & 11, 2026 at 8 p.m.
American Promise
We’re celebrating the sounds of America, including the world premiere of an NSO commission by Karen LeFrak! In commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, conductor Enrico Lopez-Yañez leads the NSO in a blend of new compositions and timeless orchestral works.
February 13 & 14, 2026 at 8 p.m.
Chart-topping singer-songwriter Ben Rector returns to the Kennedy Center with Symphonies Across America—a new tour that brings his hit songs to life in a powerful collaboration with the National Symphony Orchestra.
March 27 & 28, 2026 at 8 p.m.
2025–2026 CLASSICAL SEASON PERFORMANCE CALENDAR
Handel’s Messiah
Thu., Dec. 18, 2025 at 7 p.m.
Fri., Dec. 19, 2025 at 8 p.m.
Sat., Dec. 20, 2025 at 8 p.m.
Sun., Dec. 21, 2025 at 1 p.m.
The Rite of Spring Trifonov plays Brahms
Thu., Jan. 15, 2026 at 7 p.m.
Fri., Jan. 16, 2026 at 8 p.m.
Sat., Jan. 17, 2026 at 8 p.m.
Songs of Destiny & Fate
Thu., Jan. 22, 2026 at 7 p.m.
Fri., Jan. 23, 2026 at 8 p.m.
Sat., Jan. 24, 2026 at 8 p.m.
NSO Music for Young Audiences: Musical Tails
Sat. Jan. 24, 2026 at 11 a.m.
Sat. Jan. 24, 2026 at 1:30 p.m.
Sun. Jan. 25, 2026 at 1:30 p.m.
Sun. Jan. 25, 2026 at 4 p.m.
Le Poème Divin
Brahms’ Double Concerto
Thu., Jan. 29, 2026 at 7 p.m.
Fri., Jan. 30, 2026 at 11:30 a.m.
Sat., Jan. 31, 2026 at 8 p.m.
Shostakovich’s Eighth Abduraimov plays Tchaikovsky
Thu., Feb. 5, 2026 at 7 p.m.
Fri., Feb. 6, 2026 at 11:30 a.m.
Sat., Feb. 7, 2026 at 8 p.m.
Brahms X Radiohead
Tue. Feb. 10, 2026 at 8 p.m.
Wed. Feb. 11, 2026 at 8 p.m.
American Promise
Fri. Feb. 13, 2026 at 8 p.m.
Sat. Feb. 14, 2026 at 8 p.m.
American Mosaic
Thu., Feb. 19, 2026 at 7 p.m.
Sat., Feb. 21, 2026 at 8 p.m.
Sun., Feb. 22, 2026 at 3 p.m.
Shaham & Shaham play Reena Esmail
Robertson conducts Sibelius’ Fifth
Thu., Feb. 26, 2026 at 7 p.m.
Fri., Feb. 27, 2026 at 11:30 a.m.
Sat., Feb. 28, 2026 at 8 p.m.
Winter Daydreams: Noseda conducts Tchaikovsky’s First Trpčeski plays Saint-Saëns
Fri., Mar. 6 at 11:30 a.m.
Sat., Mar. 7 at 8 p.m.
Hahn & Woods play
Carlos Simon Brahms’ Third
Thu., Mar. 12, 2026 at 7 p.m.
Fri., Mar. 13, 2026 at 8 p.m.
Sat., Mar. 14, 2026 at 8 p.m.
NSO Presents*
Alexandra Dovgan
Sat., Mar. 14, 2026 at 3 p.m.
Ben Rector: Symphonies Across America with Jon McLaughlin
Fri. Mar. 27, 2026 at 8 p.m.
Sat. Mar. 28, 2026 at 8 p.m.
NSO Family Concert: Philharmonia Fantastique: The Making of an Orchestra Sun. Mar. 29, 2026 at 2 p.m.
Death and Transfiguration
Khachatryan plays Sibelius
Thu., Apr. 2, 2026 at 7 p.m.
Fri., Apr. 3, 2026 at 11:30 a.m.
Sat., Apr. 4, 2026 at 8 p.m.
Bruckner’s Seventh Gerlach plays Haydn Fri., Apr. 10, 2026 at 8 p.m. Sat., Apr. 11, 2026 at 8 p.m.
*Please note: The National Symphony Orchestra does not perform in these concerts.
Mozart’s “Jupiter” & Bach’s Brandenburg No. 1
Wed., Apr. 15, 2026 at 7 p.m.
Thu., Apr. 16, 2026 at 7 p.m.
Fri., Apr. 17, 2026 at 8 p.m.
NSO Presents*
Khatia Buniatishvili
Fri., Apr. 24, 2026 at 8 p.m.
Opera in Concert
Puccini’s Il trittico
Wed., Apr. 29, 2026 at 7 p.m.
Fri., May 1, 2026 at 7 p.m.
Hisaishi conducts Hisaishi
Thu. May 14, 2026 at 8 p.m.
Fri. May 15, 2026 at 8 p.m.
Sat. May 16, 2026 at 8 p.m.
Top Gun: Maverick in Concert
Wed. May 20, 2026 at 7 p.m.
Thu. May 21, 2026 at 7 p.m.
Renée Fleming’s Voice of Nature: The Anthropocene
Fri., May 29, 2026 at 8 p.m.
Sat., May 30, 2026 at 8 p.m.
Cann plays Coleman
Fri., June 5, 2026 at 8 p.m.
Sat., June 6, 2026 at 8 p.m.
Philip Glass’ “Lincoln”
Dalene plays Barber
Fri., June 12, 2026 at 8 p.m.
Sat., June 13, 2026 at 8 p.m.
A look back at our history
1939
NSO Music Director Hans Kindler leads the Orchestra in a summer outdoor concert on a floating barge anchored at the foot of the stone steps below the Lincoln Memorial.
Harris & Ewing Collection, Library of Congress
A look back at our history
1958
Music Director Howard Mitchell conducts the NSO at Constitution Hall. Photographer unknown, Courtesy of the Kennedy Center Archives
1970s A look back at our history
NSO Music Director Antal Doráti conducts the NSO.
Photo by Richard Braaten, Courtesy of the Kennedy Center Archives
A look back at our history
1987
NSO Music Director Mstislav Rostropovich conducts the NSO with guest soloist soprano Galina Vishnevskaya, his wife.
Photo by Joan Marcus, Courtesy of the Kennedy Center Archives
A look back at our history
1996
Music man Bobby McFerrin wowed Washingtonians when he conducted the National Symphony Orchestra concerts for families and school children.
Photo by Carol Pratt, Courtesy of the Kennedy Center Archives
2000 A look back at our history
Pianists John Browning, Sara Davis Buechner, Brian Ganz, Joseph Kalichstein, Lambert Orkis, and Jeffrey Siegel play Franz Liszt’s Hexameron with the National Symphony Orchestra conducted by Music Director Leonard Slatkin for the Piano 2000 festival.
Photo by Carol Pratt, Courtesy of the Kennedy Center Archives
2015 A look back at our history
Kendrick Lamar and the NSO led by Principal Pops Conductor Steven Reineke delivered a one-night-only performance featuring some of Lamar’s biggest hits and the first-ever live performances of music from his lyrical masterpiece “To Pimp a Butterfly.”
Photo by Elman Studio, Courtesy of the Kennedy Center Archives
2022 A look back at our history
As the concluding event of Kennedy Center’s 50th Anniversary celebration, Leonard Bernstein’s MASS returned 51 years after its world premiere at the Center in a dynamic staging featuring the NSO, guest conductor James Gaffigan, and baritone Will Liverman in the role of Celebrant.
Photo by Scott Suchman, Courtesy of the Kennedy Center Archives
Take home... a musical memory.
Mozart Magic Flute Earrings
These exquisite earrings bring Mozart’s masterpiece to life with fluteinspired details that create a visual symphony. $42
NSO Cap and T-shirt
Our new National Symphony Orchestra cap and tee let you show your pride in our world-class symphony. $30 each
Make Your Own Music Mug
No better way to start your day than with a coffee mug imprinted with blank sheet music and sticker notes so you can compose your own melody. $20
Visit our two gift shops on Level A and in the Hall of States. Shop online 24/7 at tkc.co/shop
Create an experience... that will last a lifetime.
WEDDINGS AT THE REACH
REACH wedding rentals offer a variety of indoor and outdoor venues to create an unforgettable celebration of love. Situated on the south end of the Kennedy Center Campus, the REACH is a premier Washington, D.C. event venue. With stunning views of the Potomac River, the largest green roof in D.C., and multifunctional event spaces, the REACH provides new elegance with a modern aesthetic.
Visit tkc.co/weddings or scan the QR code for more information.
Noel: Jesus is Born!
The Keys give you a show above and below the surface. From art galleries to museums and live music, no place inspires more freedom of expression. In The Keys, you’re part of the performance.
VisitFloridaKeys.com/arts-culture 1.800.Fla.Keys