May 25th, 2012
nationalsymphony
Zoom As we get ready for this weekend’s Memorial Day Concert on the Capitol Lawn, we look back in our archives to our first ever Capitol Concert. We started this tradition on Memorial Day weekend, May 28th, 1979, and we’ve been celebrating summer holidays on the National Mall ever since. Join us this Sunday night at 8:00 PM on the West Lawn of the Capitol for an evening of great music honoring our troops (come early, bring a picnic and lawn chair or blanket, but no alcohol, pets, or beach umbrellas!). And if you can’t be there in person, watch it live on PBS! Have a safe and happy Memorial Day!

As we get ready for this weekend’s Memorial Day Concert on the Capitol Lawn, we look back in our archives to our first ever Capitol Concert. We started this tradition on Memorial Day weekend, May 28th, 1979, and we’ve been celebrating summer holidays on the National Mall ever since.

Join us this Sunday night at 8:00 PM on the West Lawn of the Capitol for an evening of great music honoring our troops (come early, bring a picnic and lawn chair or blanket, but no alcohol, pets, or beach umbrellas!). And if you can’t be there in person, watch it live on PBS!

Have a safe and happy Memorial Day!


2 notes
May 16th, 2012
nationalsymphony
Zoom RIP, Chuck Brown. So glad we got to perform with “The Godfather of Go-Go” last summer. You’ll be missed, Chuck. photo credit Margot Ingoldsby Schulman

RIP, Chuck Brown. So glad we got to perform with “The Godfather of Go-Go” last summer. You’ll be missed, Chuck.


photo credit Margot Ingoldsby Schulman


May 9th, 2012
nationalsymphony

A TED talk by Benjamin Zander that should not be missed.


TED benjamin zander passion
May 8th, 2012
nationalsymphony

latimes:

nyphil:

Watch out West Coast …

The New York Philharmonic is on its way! The Orchestra departed from Avery Fisher Hall this morning for the CALIFORNIA 2012 tour. Here’s what Music Director Alan Gilbert had to say in interviews over the weekend anticipating the Phil’s visits:

“I was always very comfortable when I was in L.A. as a guest conductor. I always felt, ‘This is the place where what I’m doing is understood.’” — Los Angeles Times

“For Gilbert, the Philharmonic is more than an orchestra. ‘I aspire for the New York Philharmonic to be central in the cultural and intellectual life of the city,’ he said.” — San Diego Union-Tribune

Photo credit: Courtesy of the New York Philharmonic

Have a great tour, NYPhil!!!


Reblogged from Los Angeles Times
19 notes
orchestra tour nyphil
May 8th, 2012
nationalsymphony

A huge thanks to John Legend, Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings, our fabulous musicians and Pops Conductor Steven Reineke, and everyone in multiple departments across the Kennedy Center who worked incredibly hard to bring this project to life.

What a special night.


2 notes
WGON steven reineke john legend Sharon Jones Dap Kings nso pops
May 5th, 2012
nationalsymphony
Ah, the first Friday in May…otherwise known as “No Pants Day.” Each year on this special day, we can’t help but be reminded of the “no pants tour.” What is that, you may ask? During our American Residency in 2003 to North Dakota, upon arrival to that great state, not one, not two, but four of our musicians and our music director discovered that their tux pants had been left behind in DC. Apparently a staff member rounded them up and FedEx’d them to Minot. But did they arrive in time for the first concert? Some details are lost to time (or emotionally buried?), but violist Dan Foster says, “I’m sure if I’d had to go on stage with no pants, I’d remember.” Upon the orchestra’s successful return to Washington, all pants in tow, an intern made this fabulous poster, which now hangs in our library. We are happy to report that on this No Pants Day of 2012, no musicians of the NSO will be actively participating (on stage, at least - we can’t speak to post-concert plans).

Ah, the first Friday in May…otherwise known as “No Pants Day.” Each year on this special day, we can’t help but be reminded of the “no pants tour.”

What is that, you may ask? During our American Residency in 2003 to North Dakota, upon arrival to that great state, not one, not two, but four of our musicians and our music director discovered that their tux pants had been left behind in DC. Apparently a staff member rounded them up and FedEx’d them to Minot. But did they arrive in time for the first concert? Some details are lost to time (or emotionally buried?), but violist Dan Foster says, “I’m sure if I’d had to go on stage with no pants, I’d remember.” Upon the orchestra’s successful return to Washington, all pants in tow, an intern made this fabulous poster, which now hangs in our library.

We are happy to report that on this No Pants Day of 2012, no musicians of the NSO will be actively participating (on stage, at least - we can’t speak to post-concert plans).


1 note
no pants day american residency
May 4th, 2012
nationalsymphony
What's Going On Now

If you haven’t yet seen the amazing interactive website created by our fabulous ArtsEdge team at the Kennedy Center, do yourself a favor and kick off your weekend by checking out what’s been involved in the project.

The project culminates with sold out performances last night and tonight in the Concert Hall featuring John Legend, Sharon Jones, the Dap Kings, and our very own NSO Pops under the direction of Steve Reineke.

(yes, we’re pinching ourselves)


1 note
marvin gaye john legend sharon jones dap kings nso pops steven reineke WGON artsedge
May 3rd, 2012
nationalsymphony
Zoom iusedtolovetheradio: Marvin Gaye - “What’s Going On”. A classic album. Written over 40 years ago but the music & lyrics ring as true as if they were written yesterday. Blasting through our monitors today, courtesy of John Legend and the NSO Pops…thanks, universe.

iusedtolovetheradio:

Marvin Gaye - “What’s Going On”. A classic album. Written over 40 years ago but the music & lyrics ring as true as if they were written yesterday.

Blasting through our monitors today, courtesy of John Legend and the NSO Pops…thanks, universe.


Reblogged from I Used To Love The Radio
2 notes
marvin gaye john legend nso pops
May 2nd, 2012
nationalsymphony

“Recently the elephant keepers were giving another elephant a bath when they heard Shanthi practicing the harmonica in a nearby stall”
Yes…Shanthi is an elephant, and she’s awesome. Props to the Smithsonian’s National Zoo elephant keepers for making this happen!


27 notes
cute elephants harmonica smithsonian national zoo
May 1st, 2012
nationalsymphony

Happy May, everyone! 


Schumann Fritz Wunderlich May Day beautiful Dichterliebe
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