The National Symphony Orchestra believes that music is for everyone, regardless of age, background or zip code. Through this mission, the NSO presents education and community-based programs and initiatives in partnership with local and national organizations, artists, educators, and community members to support our goals of providing inclusive opportunities for everyone to learn about, and learn through the arts, extending access to live music experiences, and using music to better the lives of residents of Washington, D.C. and across the nation.
NSO Music for Young Audiences introduces children and families to music through a variety of small ensembles performances by NSO musicians, and our NSO Family Concerts provide access to orchestral music for kids of all ages!
Explore Music for Young Audiences and our Family Concerts
With NSO musical playspaces kids have the chance to have hands-on fun with instruments! Children (and their parents) have the chance to get up close and personal with the orchestral instruments they will see professionally played on stage.
NSO Young People's Concerts introduce classical music to children in an atmosphere of fun.
Explore Young People's Concerts
NSO Open Rehearsals give students the opportunity to see how a professional orchestra prepares for concerts.
Performances for school groups provide opportunities to learn, to explore, and to embrace the arts. See what is available for our 2024-25 season across a variety of artistic genres.​
NSO Summer Music Institute is a 4-week summer music program at the Kennedy Center for serious student instrumentalists, ages 15–20, from across the United States and abroad.
Explore the NSO Summer Music Institute
The NSO Youth Fellowship Program is an orchestral training program for serious music students interested in pursuing orchestral music as a career.
Explore the NSO Youth Fellowship Program
Washington Musical Pathways Initiative is a talent development program for local student musicians in grades 8-12 who identify as Black, Indigenous, and/or People of Color and want to pursue advanced study in music. WMPI is a partnership of the , the Kennedy Center, , the NSO, and the .
The Emerging Conductors Workshop and Showcase is a series of workshops and a concert featuring the NSO and emerging conductors, under the mentorship of Music Director Gianandrea Noseda. The first Emerging Conductors Program will occur in January 2025 with conductors Kellen Gray, Chia-Hsuan Lin, Kyle Ritenauer, and Sasha Scolnik-Brower.
The power of music is vast, it transcends differences and unites the human experience. I strongly believe that music should be a part of any human life. Music is for everyone.
NSO Music for Young Audiences introduces children and families to music through a variety of small ensembles performances by NSO musicians, and our NSO Family Concerts provide access to orchestral music for kids of all ages!
Hands-on fun with instruments! Children (and their parents) have the chance to get up close and personal with the orchestral instruments they will see professionally played on stage.
Performances for school groups provide opportunities to learn, to explore, and to embrace the arts.
NSO Music for Young Audiences introduce children and families to music through a variety of small ensembles performances by NSO musicians.
NSO Open Rehearsals give students the opportunity to see how a professional orchestra prepares for concerts.
These NSO performances introduce classical music to children in an atmosphere of fun.
Interested in bringing Kennedy Center musicians into your school for solo and chamber performances, group coaching, and masterclasses?
NSO Summer Music Institute is a 4-week summer music program at the Kennedy Center for serious student instrumentalists, ages 15–20, from across the United States and abroad.
The NSO Youth Fellowship Program is an orchestral training program for serious music students interested in pursuing orchestral music as a career.
The NSO Young Associates’ Program affords high school musicians from the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area the opportunity to learn more about the National Symphony Orchestra, life as a professional musician, and the business of arts management.
