Announcing the National Symphony Orchestra’s Holiday Concerts
November 29–December 22, 2024
Elf™ in Concert | November 29–December 1, 2024
NSO at The Anthem: Ugly Sweater Holiday Concert | December 4, 2024
Notes of Honor: A Holiday Pops!, | December 5, 2024
A Holiday Pops! with Jessica Vosk | December 6–7, 2024
KEM: Home for the Holidays | December 11–12, 2024
Celtic Woman: White Christmas Symphony Tour | December 13–14, 2024
NSO: Handel’s Messiah | December 19–22, 2024
(WASHINGTON)—The National Symphony Orchestra (NSO) presents a range of holiday programs in late November and throughout December. The NSO will play live alongside the holiday classic film Elf™ (November 29–December 1); the Orchestra returns to The Anthem for its annual Ugly Sweater Holiday Concert (December 4); NSO Pops showcases Broadway star Jessica Vosk (December 6–7) with a special free performance for members of the military and their families (December 5); Platinum-selling singer-songwriter KEM performs songs from his new holiday album (December 11–12); multi-platinum Irish singing sensations Celtic Woman return (December 13–14); and the annual performance of Handel’s Messiah (December 19–22) closes out the year for the NSO.
Holiday programming kicks off with the beloved family film Elf™ in Concert, played onscreen in the Concert Hall with John Debney’s heartwarming score performed live by the NSO and conducted by Principal Pops Conductor Steven Reineke.
Donning ugly sweaters, the NSO will then take the stage at The Anthem under the baton of Principal Pops Conductor Steven Reineke, playing a selection of holiday songs and sing-along carols in festively heinous knitwear for the annual Ugly Sweater Holiday Concert.
After selling out two shows at Carnegie Hall, Broadway star Jessica Vosk—who has played many roles including Elphaba in Wicked—joins the NSO and The Heritage Signature Chorale in a holiday sing-along celebration held in the festively decorated Concert Hall. The December 5 performance is an annual free performance for members of the military and their families as part of the NSO Notes of Honor initiative. The initiative aims to recognize and express the Orchestra’s gratitude to active duty and prior service members, veterans, and retired service members through free programming at the Kennedy Center. Notes of Honor has been generously underwritten by RTX, Truist, and season sponsor AARP.
Conductor Tim Davies will lead the Orchestra and KEM in an intimate, uplifting concert event with music from KEM’s acclaimed album What Christmas Means, fan favorites from his prolific career, fresh takes on comforting Christmas classics, and more.
Multi-platinum Irish ensemble Celtic Woman will celebrate the holiday season with a new symphony concert featuring the group’s favorite Yuletide songs: “Silent Night,” “Carol of the Bells,” “Sleigh Ride,” “Deck the Halls,” and more—along with Celtic Woman classics including “Danny Boy,” “Amazing Grace,” and “You Raise Me Up,” with the NSO led by Lloyd Butler.
Conductor Masaaki Suzuki, founder of Bach Collegium Japan, will make his NSO debut leading the orchestra’s annual December performances of George Frideric Handel’s Messiah, featuring soloists Jone Martínez (soprano), Reginald Mobley (countertenor), Lunga Eric Hallam (tenor), and Dashon Burton (bass-baritone), all in their NSO debuts, with the University of Maryland Concert Choir directed by Jason Max Ferdinand.
ABOUT THE NATIONAL SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
The 2024–2025 season is the National Symphony Orchestra’s 94th season and Music Director Gianandrea Noseda’s eighth season. Since its founding in 1931, the NSO has been committed to performances that enrich the lives of its audience and community members. In 1986, the National Symphony became an artistic affiliate of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, where it has performed since the Center opened in 1971. The NSO participates in events of national and international importance, including the annual nationally televised concerts on the lawn of the U.S. Capitol, live-streamed performances on medici.tv, and local radio broadcasts on WETA 90.9 FM.
Since launching its eponymous recording label in 2020, the NSO has embarked on ambitious recording projects including the Orchestra’s first complete Beethoven Symphony cycle and the release of the first-ever cycle of George Walker’s Sinfonias, both led by Noseda. Recent projects include a new series of Four Symphonic Works by Kennedy Center Composer-in-Residence Carlos Simon conducted by Noseda, and William Shatner’s So Fragile, So Blue, recorded live with the NSO in the Concert Hall.
The NSO’s community engagement and education projects are nationally recognized, including NSO In Your Neighborhood; Notes of Honor; and Sound Health. Career development opportunities for young musicians include the NSO Youth Fellowship Program and its acclaimed, tuition-free Summer Music Institute.
TICKET INFORMATION
Tickets are available at the Kennedy Center Box Office, online at kennedy-center.org, and via phone through Instant Charge, (202) 467-4600; toll free at (800) 444-1324. For all other ticket-related customer service inquiries, call the Advance Sales Box Office at (202) 416-8540.
PROGRAM DETAILS
Elf™ in Concert
èßäAVConcert Hall
Friday, November 29, 2024 at 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, November 30, 2024 at 2:00 p.m.
Saturday, November 30, 2024 at 7:00 p.m.
Sunday, December 1, 2024 at 3:00 p.m.
Steven Reineke, conductor
This holiday season relive this heartwarming holiday classic on a giant screen as every note of John Debney’s wonderful score is played live to picture in: Elf™ in Concert!
NSO at The Anthem: Ugly Sweater Holiday Concert
The Anthem
910 Wharf Street, S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20024
Wednesday, December 4, 2024 at 7:30 p.m.
Steven Reineke, conductor
’Tis the season to break out your most festively heinous knitwear—the ugly Christmas sweater! Don your favorite holiday threads (ugly or not) for an unforgettable evening of classic Christmas hits and orchestral beauty from the National Symphony Orchestra.
A Holiday Pops! with Jessica Vosk
èßäAVConcert Hall
Friday, December 6, 2024 at 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, December 7, 2024 at 2:00 p.m.
Saturday, December 7, 2024 at 8:00 p.m.
Steven Reineke, conductor
Jessica Vosk, vocalist
Heritage Signature Chorale
Washington, D.C.’s most dazzling holiday concert returns! Get ready to sing along, laugh, and embrace the magic of the season with sparkling renditions of your favorite holiday classics, Broadway showstoppers, and beyond. This year, The Heritage Signature Chorale and Broadway darling Jessica Vosk—celebrated for her sold-out Carnegie Hall performances and star turn as Elphaba in Wicked—light up the festively decorated Concert Hall as special guests.
KEM: Home for the Holidays
èßäAVConcert Hall
Wednesday, December 11, 2024 at 8:00 p.m.
Thursday, December 12, 2024 at 8:00 p.m.
Tim Davies, conductor
KEM
The Platinum-selling R&B singer-songwriter KEM treats Kennedy Center audiences to an evening of holiday magic and jazzy love songs with the National Symphony Orchestra. Celebrate the season of joy at this intimate, uplifting concert event with music from KEM’s acclaimed album What Christmas Means, fan favorites from his prolific career, fresh takes on comforting Christmas classics, and more.
Celtic Woman: White Christmas Symphony Tour
èßäAVConcert Hall
Friday, December 13, 2024 at 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, December 14, 2024 at 2:00 p.m.
Saturday, December 14, 2024 at 8:00 p.m.
Lloyd Butler, conductor
Celtic Woman
Experience the magical sound of Celtic Woman this holiday season! This brand-new symphony show features the all-female ensemble’s favorite Yuletide songs: “Silent Night,” “Carol of the Bells,” “Sleigh Ride,” “Deck the Halls,” and more—along with iconic Celtic Woman classics including “Danny Boy,” “Amazing Grace,” and “You Raise Me Up.”
Masaaki Suzuki conducts Handel’s Messiah
èßäAVConcert Hall
Thursday, December 19, 2024 at 7:00 p.m.
Friday, December 20, 2024 at 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, December 21, 2024 at 8:00 p.m.
Sunday, December 22, 2024 at 1:00 p.m.
Lloyd Butler, conductor
Masaaki Suzuki, conductor
Jone Martínez, soprano
Reginald Mobley, countertenor
Lunga Eric Hallam, tenor
Dashon Burton, bass-baritone
University of Maryland Concert Choir
Jason Max Ferdinand, Artistic Director
Baroque specialist Masaaki Suzuki, founder of Bach Collegium Japan, makes his NSO debut leading the orchestra’s annual December performances of George Frideric Handel’s Messiah, featuring soloists Jone Martínez (soprano), Reginald Mobley (countertenor), Lunga Eric Hallam (tenor), and Dashon Burton (bass-baritone), all in their NSO debuts, with the University of Maryland Concert Choir directed by Jason Max Ferdinand.
FUNDING CREDITS
AARP is the presenting sponsor of the NSO Pops
Additional support provided by Truist
The NSO Music Director Chair is generously endowed by Roger Sant and Congresswoman Doris Matsui
Major support provided by Noseda Era Fund Supporters
Additional support provided by the Amici di Gianandrea and the Paul M. Angell Family Foundation
The Notes of Honor Presenting Sponsor is RTX
TICKET INFORMATION
Tickets may be purchased online at kennedy-center.org, in-person at the Kennedy Center Box Office, or by calling (202) 467-4600.
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MEDIA CONTACTS:
Amanda Sweet
President, Bucklesweet
(347) 564 3371
[email protected]
Kate Wyman
Public Relations Coordinator, Classical
(202) 416-8683
[email protected]