NSO In Your Neighborhood (Sept. 16–25, 2022)

The Kennedy Center
7 min readJul 18, 2022

Anacostia | Barry Farm | Congress Heights | Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling | Bellevue

The In Your Neighborhood logo, an abstract cello, oboe, and trumpet appear in puzzle pieces over a blue background.

About In Your Neighborhood 2022

Taking place across neighborhoods “East of the River,” the National Symphony Orchestra’s In Your Neighborhood program uses the power of music to unite, empower, and celebrate our DC communities. Working in collaboration with local organizations and schools, we invite you to join us for a week of free performances and activities in celebration of the cultural legacy and traditions of these neighborhoods.

You can follow all of the action on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram — and don’t forget to share your own In Your Neighborhood experiences on social media. Tag your posts, photos, and videos using the hashtag #NSOneighbor!

Full Schedule of Free Events

Most concerts are free to the public with first-come, first-served seating. Face masks are encouraged for all indoor performances.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 16th

Frank W. Ballou High School

*Private Event* In-School Ensemble
11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
, 3401 4th St SE, Washington, DC 20032
Michael Harper, trumpet | Tim McCarthy, trumpet | James Nickel, horn | Kevin Carlson, trombone | Seth Cook, tuba
Ballou High School has an award winning marching band — The Ballou Majestic Marching Knights (BMMK). They have participated in The Rose Bowl Parade, the Ellen Show, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade, and the Cherry Blossom Festival. Musicians of the NSO will perform for band students at Ballou and discuss career opportunities in the arts.

Horton’s Kids

*Private Event* Chamber Performance
4–5 p.m.
, 2500 Pomeroy Rd SE, Washington, DC 20020
Musicians of the National Symphony Orchestra
Horton’s Kids empowers children growing up in DC’s most under-resourced communities so that they graduate from high school ready for success in college, career, and life. This performance at their back-to-school event for students and their families will help kick-off and celebrate the start of the school year.

Busboys & Poets

Dinnertime Performance
5–6 p.m.
, 2004 Martin Luther King Jr Ave SE, Washington, DC 20020
Benjamin Scott, violin| Meredith Riley, violin | Abigail Kreuzer, viola | Britton Riley, cello
Busboys and Poets is a cultural hub for artists, activists, writers, thinkers, and dreamers. This free concert is our first public event as part of this year’s In Your Neighborhood.

Oxon Run Park

Chamber Performance
6:30–7:30 p.m.
, James E. Bunn Amphitheater — 1200 Mississippi Ave SE, Washington, DC 20032
Trombone Quartet
Oxon Run Park is a recreational park in Southeast Washington, D.C., that features sports areas, trails, playgrounds and the Southeast Tennis and Learning Center. The Free Concert at the James E. Bunn Amphitheater will feature live music performed by NSO musicians for friends, families, and picnic-goers.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 17th

Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling

Family Chamber Performance
10:30–11:30 a.m.
, 50 Theisen St, Washington, DC 20032
Marissa Regni, violin | Kari Paludan, soprano
JBAB’s Force Support Squadron is committed to providing the best events and programs to the men, women and families of Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling. Their vision is to be the Nation’s premier Joint Base, and the Capital’s cornerstone for readiness, world-class partnerships, and heritage. Join us for a ‘Music for Young Audiences’ concert!

Anacostia Arts Center

Chamber Performance
4–5 p.m.
, 1231 Good Hope Rd SE, Washington, DC 20020
Musicians of the National Symphony Orchestra
Anacostia Arts Center is a home for the arts, culture, and small businesses, where the physical space is used to employ and nourish the local arts and creative economy. Musicians of the NSO will be a part of the ceremony celebrating the opening of their exhibit for Hispanic Heritage month.

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 19th

Wells Fargo Ward 8 Branch

Chamber Performance
11:30–12:30 p.m.
, 1545 Alabama Ave SE, Washington, DC 20032
Musicians of the National Symphony Orchestra
In Your Neighborhood Presenting Sponsor Wells Fargo hosts an outdoor lunch-time concert for the community featuring music and snacks.

Levine Music @ THEARC

Percussion Workshop
4–5 p.m.
, 1901 Mississippi Ave SE, Washington, DC 20020
Scott Christian, percussion
Levine Music, the Washington DC region’s preeminent center for music education, is a welcoming community where children and adults find lifelong inspiration and joy through learning, performing, listening to, and participating with others in music. Scott Christian will be working with students from Levine Music.

Anacostia Neighborhood Library

Story-Time Performance
5–6 p.m.
, 1800 Good Hope Rd SE, Washington DC, 20020
Marissa Regni, violin
Anacostia Neighborhood Library is part of the District of Columbia Public Library System. Musicians of the NSO will be accompanying a story-book reading as part of story-time for young children. The reading will feature a book written by Jacqueline Woodson, the Kennedy Center Education Artist-in-Residence.

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20th

Parklands-Turner Neighborhood Library

Story-Time Performance
10–11 a.m.
, 1547 Alabama Ave SE, Washington DC, 20032
Alex Jacobsen, double bass
The Parklands-Turner Neighborhood Library is a small, store-front library located in the Congress Heights neighborhood of Washington, DC. Musicians of the NSO will be accompanying a story-book reading as part of story-time for young children. The reading will feature a book written by Jacqueline Woodson, the Kennedy Center Education Artist-in-Residence.

Department of Homeland Security Headquarters

Chamber Performance
12–1 p.m.
, 1547 Alabama Ave SE, Washington DC, 20032
Derek Powell, violin | Peiming Lin, violin | Mahoko Eguchi, viola | Rachel Young, cello
St. Elizabeth West Campus is the home of the Department of Homeland Security, with the U.S. Coast Guard being their largest tenant. Join us for an afternoon chamber performance inside the historic Hitchcock Hall.

Martha’s Table at The Commons

Wellness Program
6–7 p.m.
, 2375 Elvans Rd SE, Washington, DC 20020
Peiming Lin, violin | Wanzhen Li, violin
Martha’s Table stands firmly alongside Washingtonians day-in and day-out on both sides of the Anacostia River by operating nationally accredited education programs, pairing healthy food access with physical and mental health services, and promoting family success by investing in family leaders. A small ensemble will be providing live music alongside an art and wellness event.

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 21st

Phillips @ THEARC

Outdoor Performance
12–12:30 p.m.
, 1801 Mississippi Ave SE, Washington, DC 20020
Wei-Ping Chou, horn | James Nickel, horn
The Phillips Collection’s workshop and gallery at the Town Hall Education Arts Recreation Campus (THEARC) provides a space to view, discuss, make, and exhibit art. An NSO horn duo will be performing live music paired with wellness activities offered by the Phillips Collection, including providing groceries to the community.

Emmanuel Baptist Church

Chamber Performance
12–1 p.m.
, 2409 Ainger Pl SE, Washington, DC 20020
Peiming Lin, violin | Wanzhen Li, violin
Join us for a free lunch time concert in this loved neighborhood church.

Congress Heights Arts & Culture Center

Chamber Performance
4:30–5:30 p.m.
, 3200 Martin Luther King Jr Ave, Washington, DC 20032
Derek Powell, violin | Peiming Lin, violin | Mahoko Eguchi, viola | Rachel Young, cello
Congress Heights Arts + Culture Center is a 501 ©(3) organization with a mission to expose, inspire + educate both youth + adults to the rich arts and cultural opportunities, specifically East of the River, from a historical and modern day prospective. CHACC’s purpose is to develop and expand cultural + artistic opportunities for our residents. One of CHACC’s highest priority is to weave children + youth into the fabric of the economic revitalization occurring in the communities within Wards 7 and 8. A small ensemble made up of musicians from the NSO will be performing music, celebrating African and African Diaspora composers.

Fort Stanton Recreation Center

Full Orchestra Concert
7:00 p.m.
, Avalon Playground, 1812 Erie St SE, Washington, DC 20020
National Symphony Orchestra
Come celebrate In Your Neighborhood with the first free concert featuring the full National Symphony Orchestra. Arrive early to enjoy pre-concert festivities and events!

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 22nd

Thurgood Marshall Academy

*Private Event* In-School Ensemble
9:30–10:30 a.m.
, 2427 Martin Luther King Jr Ave SE, Washington, DC 20020
Wei-Ping Chou, horn | James Nickel, horn
Thurgood Marshall Academy was founded based on the principles of Justice Thurgood Marshall that every child should have a world-class education and the opportunity to reach their full potential. NSO musicians will be performing for the student body of Thurgood Marshall Academy.

Entertainment & Sports Arena

Full Orchestra Concert
7:30 p.m.
, 2427 Martin Luther King Jr Ave SE, Washington, DC 20020 National Symphony Orchestra
The Entertainment & Sports Arena is a multi-purpose events facility, located on the St. Elizabeth’s East Campus, in Congress Heights, a residential neighborhood in southeast Washington, DC and is home to the Washington Mystics of the WNBA and the Capital City Go-Go of the NBA G League. Join us for a final full orchestra concert, celebrating community and music “east of the river”. Arrive early to enjoy pre-concert festivities and events!

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 25th

PorchFest DC

Chamber Performance: Good Food Markets
4001 S Capitol St SW, Washington, DC 20032
1 p.m.,
Jamie Roberts, oboe | Joey Grimmer, bassoon | Jamila Tekalli Hanner, piano

Chamber Performances: Skyland Town Center
2834 Alabama Ave SE, Washington, DC 20020
3 p.m.,
Peter Cain, bass clarinet & Sarah Matayoshi, violin
Established in April 2018, Porchfest DC is a nonprofit 501 ©3 that transforms front porches and lawns into unique entertainment activations. In partnership with Porchfest DC and Oasis Community Partners, NSO musicians will give two performances as part of the music festival.

Thank you to our presenting sponsor:

Wells Fargo logo.
Wells Fargo logo.

Thank you to our sponsorsThe Irene Pollin Audience Development and Community Engagement Initiatives, The Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation, Dr. Gary Mather and Ms. Christina Co Mather, Melanie and Larry Nussdorf, and John and Martha Schwieters.

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