National Symphony Orchestra facts for kids
Quick facts for kids National Symphony Orchestra |
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Banner of the NSO, Kennedy Center, Washington, D.C.
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| Short name | NSO |
| Founded | 1930 |
| Location | Washington, D.C., United States |
| Concert hall | John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts |
| Music director | Gianandrea Noseda |
The National Symphony Orchestra (NSO) is a famous American symphony orchestra. It is based in Washington, D.C., the capital city of the United States. A talented cellist named Hans Kindler started the orchestra in 1930. The NSO's main place to perform is the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.
The NSO often plays at important national and international events. This includes performances for special government ceremonies. They also play at presidential inaugurations and big holiday celebrations. You can hear them at the annual National Memorial Day Concert in May. They also perform at A Capitol Fourth concerts on July 4th. The NSO plays about 175 concerts each year. Their season lasts for 52 weeks. These concerts include classical music, pops music, and special shows for learning.
The NSO's Story
The NSO played its first special concert on January 31, 1930. Then, in 1931, Hans Kindler officially created the orchestra. He was a cellist from the Netherlands who became an American citizen. Kindler led the orchestra until 1949. In the early days, Kindler often found musicians who were not working. He also borrowed players from other cities nearby.
Antal Doráti became the music director in 1970. He led the orchestra for seven years. After him, Mstislav Rostropovich became the music director in 1977. In 1986, the NSO became a special partner of the Kennedy Center. The orchestra had been playing its concerts there every year since the Center opened in 1971. Rostropovich finished his time with the NSO in 1994.
Leonard Slatkin was the NSO's music director from 1996 to 2008. In 2006, Iván Fischer became a main guest conductor for the orchestra. The orchestra announced in 2007 that Fischer would be their principal conductor. He started this role in the 2008–2009 season.
In September 2008, the NSO announced a new music director. Christoph Eschenbach became the sixth music director. He started in the 2010–2011 season. His first contract was for four years. In 2011, the NSO released an album. It had live performances from a program honoring President John F. Kennedy's inauguration. Eschenbach's contract was extended several times. He finished his time as music director at the end of the 2016–2017 season. After that, he became the NSO's conductor laureate.
In 2011, Gianandrea Noseda first led the NSO as a guest conductor. He came back again in November 2015. In January 2016, the NSO announced that Noseda would be their next music director. He started this role in the 2017–2018 season. His first contract was for four seasons. In September 2018, the NSO extended Noseda's contract. It was extended through the 2024–2025 season.
The COVID-19 pandemic caused many concerts to be canceled. This led to a special program in 2020 called "NSO in Your Neighborhood." Through this program, the NSO played concerts outdoors. They often played for health workers. In June 2022, the NSO extended Noseda's contract again. It was extended through the 2026–2027 season. In January 2023, Jean Davidson was announced as the new executive director. She started on April 1, 2023.
On September 27, 2024, the NSO musicians stopped working for a short time. This was the first time since 1978. They were able to reach an agreement with the management later that same day. In March 2025, the NSO announced another contract extension for Noseda. This extension goes through 2031.
NSO Recordings
Hans Kindler and the NSO made many early recordings. These were 78-rpm records for RCA Victor. They recorded two Roumanian Rhapsodies by George Enescu. Later, in 1960, the NSO played one of these works again. This time, a Romanian conductor named George Georgescu led them. He was a close friend of the composer.
One special RCA recording was of the ballet music from the opera King Henry VIII. This music was by Camille Saint-Saëns. It was one of the few recordings led by Walter Damrosch. Years later, Howard Mitchell made many stereophonic recordings with the orchestra for RCA. Antal Doráti also recorded with the orchestra for Decca Records. Mstislav Rostropovich made recordings with the orchestra for Deutsche Grammophon. The orchestra recorded for RCA Victor again under Leonard Slatkin. However, RCA stopped making new classical recordings.
In July 2022, the NSO announced they would start their own record label. This label would release recordings of their live performances.
Other NSO Activities
The NSO has other programs besides concerts. One is the National Symphony Orchestra Summer Music Institute. This program helps young musicians learn and grow.
The NSO also helps create new music. They have a special fund called the John and June Hechinger Commissioning Fund. This fund has helped create over 50 new pieces of music. These include short fanfares and encores. During his time as director, Slatkin started the National Conducting Institute in 2000. This institute helps train new conductors.
The NSO also has a program called the National Symphony Orchestra American Residencies. This program shares classical music with different parts of the United States. It explores different musical styles. It also gives regions a chance to share their music at the Kennedy Center. This happens through exchanges, training, and new music. This project started in 1992. The NSO has visited fifteen states through this program.
Music Directors
- Hans Kindler (1931–1949)
- Howard Mitchell (1949–1970)
- Antal Doráti (1970–1977)
- Mstislav Rostropovich (1977–1994)
- Leonard Slatkin (1996–2008)
- Iván Fischer (principal conductor; 2008–2010)
- Christoph Eschenbach (2010–2017)
- Gianandrea Noseda (2017–present)
See also
In Spanish: Orquesta Sinfónica Nacional de Estados Unidos para niños
