Warren Williams is the Manager of Community Relations of the National Symphony Orchestra
If you enjoy inviting guests to your home, then you will appreciate the excitement the National Symphony Orchestra felt when 20,000 people converged upon our home at the Kennedy Center last week for the 25th Annual Open House Arts Festival.
Staff, interns, a dedicated retired NSO musician and 10 volunteers from our Women's Committee group set-up bright and early to greet guests and provide information at the NSO Welcome Tables in the Grand Foyer. Located near the John F. Kennedy bust, our tables were highly visible and soon became magnets for people wanting to know more about upcoming NSO concerts, events for families and teachers, and of course to partake of "free stuff." We were happy to oblige, handing out hundreds of brochures, NSO history books and 1,000 miniature violin-shaped fans which included the slogan "I am a Fan of the NSO." We had some stiff competition from our neighboring table, which provided zebra-striped goody bags containing adorable red recorders (the flute-like musical instruments). This coveted item soon became the envy of all parents whose children began to witness their peers filling the air with the sounds of even more music, but I digress.
Susan Hayes Long, President of the Women's Committee for the National Symphony Orchestra, welcomes visitors.
After meeting and greeting the early-birds, we began encouraging people to attend the Festival kick-off performance at noon, featuring the National Symphony Orchestra in the Concert Hall. The Orchestra performed Carnival of the Animals in a unique presentation with actors and life-size puppets from French Canadian company L'Arsenal à Musique. I managed to pop-in for a second and I must say the house was packed, the orchestra sounded great and young people seemed to be completely drawn-in by the combination of music and costumed characters on stage. I love the NSO's performances at Open House as we attract a large number of new audience members, many who are experiencing a live orchestra for the first time.
Immediately following the concert, we escorted our Associate Conductor, Emil de Cou, to the Grand Foyer to sign autographs. Maestro de Cou was so gracious and giving with each individual, taking pictures, answering questions and making friends. What an amazing ambassador for the NSO! We had to whisk him back in time for the NSO's second concert at 2pm as the crowds began to swell in preparation for the next performance. Indeed, there was a line that started at the Hall of Nations entrance leading up to the Concert Hall ramp!
As the NSO's next performance began, I went out on the North Plaza to peak-in on the Instrument Petting Zoo managed by our Women's Committee volunteer group. Hundreds of children (and some adults) were trying-out a variety of instruments and it was quite a sight to see. Perhaps these photos will help tell the story!
An Open House visitor tries the cello
A Women's Committee volunteer and a new friend making music
On to the brass section!
NSO Education Intern Theresa Hubbard demonstrates the embouchure needed to play the trumpet.
Make some noise!
A budding clarinetist
The Instrument Petting Zoo is an ongoing project of the Women's Committee and takes place at every NSO Family Concert and Kinderkonzert at the Kennedy Center throughout the year. Without a doubt, the Open House draws the largest audience for the Petting Zoo, requiring nearly 100 volunteers and 200 instruments. This is a vital part of the NSO's engagement with the community as it affords young people opportunities to gain hands-on access to the instruments they see and hear the NSO playing onstage.
We continued making personal connections with hundreds of interesting people throughout the course of the day. It was a rewarding feeling to know so many cherish the arts and our great Orchestra. Overall, the Festival was a tremendous success as the NSO welcomed both new friends and loyal fans to our home.
Warren Williams (second from left) gathers with NSO staff, volunteers, interns, and Associate Conductor Emil de Cou for a group photo at the end of a memorable Open House!
