skip navigation | text only | accessibility | site map
[National Symphony Orchestra Education]
The National Symphony Orchestra (NSO) offers a variety of educational and outreach programs designed to introduce symphonic music to children and adults and to further the musical education of young and aspiring professional musicians. Each year, thousands of people benefit from the wide variety of symphonic concerts, educational opportunities, and training programs organized by the NSO. Read more about them.

[ Photo of NSO Family Concert Conductor Emil de Cou] [Opportunities for Families]
Events and concerts for parents and children to enjoy together.
NSO Family Concerts
NSO Composer Portraits
NSO Kinderkonzerts
NSO Ensembles
NSO Teddy Bear Concerts
NSO Instrument "Petting Zoos"
Young Artists on the Millennium Stage
Young Soloists' Concerts
Youth Orchestra Day Concert
Summer Music Institute Concert
NSO American Residencies
Kids' Chats
[ Photo of Young Artist on the Millennium Stage] [Opportunities for Students]
Music education programs designed to build the next generation of music lovers.
Concerts for School Groups
NSO Instrument "Petting Zoos"
Performing Arts College Fair

NSO American Residencies
NSO University of Maryland Residency
[ Photo of NSO bassist] [Opportunities for Adults]
Always wanted to know more about classical music, but didn't know where to start? These programs will help your quest to become a knowedgeable audience member.
Performance Plus
NSO Composer Portraits
Afterwords
More with Marvin
Open Rehearsals for Senior Groups
NSO American Residencies
[ Image of Beethoven] [Opportunities for Teachers]
Is the next Beethoven in your class? Learn how to help your students appreciate the symphony, concerts, and music.

Concerts for School Groups
Performance Plus
Afterwords
More with Marvin

NSO American Residencies
Prince William TV Distance Learning
Educational Cuesheets for Teachers
[Photo of Summer Music Institute Participant] [Training Resources]
Instruction and performance opportunities for young musicians and aspiring conductors.
NSO Youth Orchestra Day
NSO Youth Fellowship Program
Young Artists on the Millennium Stage
NSO Young Associates' Program
NSO Young Soloists' Competition
NSO Summer Music Institute
NSO Conducting Institute

NSO American Residencies

NSO University of Maryland Residency
Performing and Visual Arts College Fair
[ Photo of NSO Flautist] [Online Educational Resources]
How many flautists does the National Symphony have? Find the answer to this question and many others in these online educational resources.
Learn about NSO instruments
Meet the NSO Musicians
Meet the NSO Conductors
NSO Composer Portraits
“Coming to Terms” with Music
Educational Cuesheets for Teachers

About NSO Education Programs

The National Symphony Orchestra and its members perform in a variety of concerts designed to educate people of all ages. NSO Young People's Concerts are presented to students in grades 3-6 during the school day. NSO Composer Portraits offer a chance for everyone to learn about the great composers by listening to excerpts of the composer's greatest's hits. NSO Family Concerts incorporate a family-friendly format designed to entertain children ages 7 and up and parents alike. For the wee ones (ages 4 and up) the NSO Kinderkonzerts offer small, interactive ensemble performances. NSO Ensembles concerts are presented for children 9 and up; these concerts demonstrate the connections between music and other academic disciplines.

The NSO administers several training programs for students, young musicians, and aspiring professional musicians throughout the year. The NSO Youth Fellowship Program is an orchestral training program in which Washington, D.C. area high school students receive full scholarships to study with an NSO musicians. Each summer the country's finest high school musicians gather at the Kennedy Center to participate in the National Symphony Orchestra's Summer Music Institute, a three-week intensive music clinic for dedicated young musicians. The National Conducting Institute allows young conductors the opportunity to study with Leonard Slatkin for three weeks and conduct the National Symphony Orchestra in a concert.

The NSO sponsors a variety of programs for adults as well. These programs include recorded program notes for persons who have difficulty reading printed programs, open rehearsals for senior groups, and professional development workshops for teachers.