Founded in 1931, the National Symphony Orchestra regularly performs for official state occasions, presidential inaugurations, and other events of national and international importance. With a strong commitment to music education, the NSO offers many educational concerts and activities for both children and adults. Sunday afternoon family concerts are designed for parents and children (ages 7+); Kinder Konzerts are small ensemble performances geared toward introducing young children (4+) to the orchestra and its instruments. Instrument “petting zoos” offer a chance for children and their parents to see the instruments played by the orchestra up-close. NSO Ensembles for children 9 and up utilize multimedia to demonstrate the connection between music and other disciplines.

A special series, NSO Composer Portraits, is a wonderful way for adults to learn more about a particular composer. The first half of the performance offers background information about the composer with excerpts of his works in chronological order, demonstrating the development of his style, while the second half features the performance of an entire single work by that composer.

Following NSO Classical Subscription concerts, Composer Portraits performances, and Kennedy Center Chamber Players concerts throughout the season, ticket holders are invited to AfterWords for a discussion about the evening’s performance.