The Mansion will be closed Jan. 23 – Feb. 5. The grounds remain open.

NSO at Mount Vernon

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Listen to members of the National Symphony Orchestra play during a three-part series at Mount Vernon.

Tickets can be purchased for the entire series or individually.

The first performance in this series, January 31, is sold out.

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Add to Calendar 01/31/2023 19:00:00 01/31/2023 21:00:00 America/New_York NSO at Mount Vernon

Listen to members of the National Symphony Orchestra play during a three-part series at Mount Vernon.

Tickets can be purchased for the entire series or individually.

The first performance in this series, January 31, is sold out.

 Ford Orientation Center George Washington's Mount Vernon tickets@mountvernon.org MM/DD/YYYY 15
Ticketing terms and cancellation policy

Special Event Showing On

Cost

$65 per concert

3-part Series:
$125 for Members
$150 for the General Public

Located At

Ford Orientation Center

NSO Concert Series at Mount Vernon

Join David K. Hildebrand, freelance writer, performer and recording artist, as he introduces some of the music and instruments Washington enjoyed most before listening to intimate chamber music performed by members of the National Symphony Orchestra during this three part series. 

Champagne and Chocolate Reception

All concerts will begin at 7 p.m. and are followed at 8 p.m. by a reception of champagne and chocolates with the musicians.

Dessert selection provided by Ethel M Chocolates.

Presentation & Performance Schedule

Nelly's Harpsichord and other Instruments at Mount Vernon

January 31, 2023

Presentation:

Beginning in 1759, George Washington purchased fine musical instruments for his wife and "adopted" children and grand-children, including a spinet, violin, flute, English guitar and an exquisite grand harpsichord.  Such instruments were typical in elite households of the period, and how they were used stood in great contrast to music-making by lower-class Americans and the enslaved. 

Dr. David Hildebrand, former director of The Colonial Music Institute, offers a brief sonic and visual tour of the estate highlighting the various musical instruments played and heard here.

NSO Performance:

Mykola Lysenko: String Quartet in D minor
Dmitri Shostakovich: String Quartet No.4 in D major op.83
Myroslav Skoryk: Melody in A minor

Natasha Bogachek, violin
Zino Bogachek, violin
Rebecca Epperson, viola
Loewi Lin, cello

Gen. Washington and Military Music

February 28, 2023

Presentation:

Although not himself a musician, Washington loved music and appreciated its value in public ceremony, accompanying dancing (at which he excelled!), enlivening theater, aiding in worship, and, perhaps most importantly, providing important functions for soldiers and officers alike. 

Dr. David Hildebrand, longtime director of The Colonial Music Institute, discusses the role of fifes & drums on and off the battlefield, as well as the music played by the "band of music," or harmoniemusik - an ensemble hired by officers for more refined performances.

NSO Performance:

A colorful program of music for multiple horns.

NSO Horns:
Abel Pereira,
James Nickel,
Markus Osterlund,
Scott Fearing,
Robert Rearden,
Geoffrey Pilkington

Mount Vernon: Music in the Domestic Setting

March 28, 2023

Presentation:

Especially for the elite, musical roles varied widely by gender; sounds raised by Martha, Patsey, and later Nelly Custis no doubt brought life to the sprawling corners of Mount Vernon.  But what of young Jackie? What sorts of musical selections were performed?  How well trained were these amateur family members? 

Dr. David Hildebrand, former director of The Colonial Music Institute, for a brief audio-visual presentation contrasting the male and female musicians here at the first president's home.

NSO Performance:

Franz Schubert: Octet in F major D 803

Peter Cain, clarinet
Sue Heineman, bassoon
James Nickel, horn
Jennifer Kim, violin
Sara Matayoshi, violin
Andrew Eng, viola
Eugena Chang, cello
Charles Nilles, bass

Dr. David K. Hildebrand

Dr. David K. Hildebrand is a freelance performer, lecturer, and recording artist. A specialist in early American music, he has authored articles and reviews for scholarly journals as well as the book Musical Maryland (Johns Hopkins U. Press, 2017).

He has appeared on C-SPAN television, "History Detectives," NPR and BBC radio, and he teaches musicology at the Peabody Conservatory. His concert career spans four decades, together with wife Ginger Hildebrand; they have produced seven full-length CD recordings, including George Washington: Music for the First President.

Twice a research fellow at The Fred W. Smith National Library for the Study of George Washington, David was for 20 years the director of The Colonial Music Institute, and he has regularly presented concerts, lectures, and Teacher Institutes here at Mount Vernon since the late 1990s.

NSO at Mount Vernon: COVID-19 Policies

In accordance with the NSO’s COVID-19 protocols, audience members are required to:

  • wear a face mask at all times
  • provide proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test result.

Proof of Vaccination

Audience members may display proof of vaccine on a smartphone or by showing a physical copy of the vaccination card or official vaccination record.

“Fully vaccinated” means that 14 days have passed since either the second shot of a CDC or WHO-approved two-shot vaccine or since the administration of a CDC or WHO-approved one-shot vaccine.

Negative COVID Test Result

Unvaccinated guests must provide a negative COVID-19 PCR test conducted no more than 72 hours prior to the performance, or proof of a professionally administered Antigen test conducted no more than 6 hours prior to the performance.

Questions? Contact us at (703) 780-2000.

NSO’s COVID-19 Protocols

NSO’s COVID-19 Protocols

In accordance with the NSO’s COVID-19 protocols, audience members are required to:

wear a face mask at all times provide proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test result.

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