Visit Polyphonic.org to read interviews with the NSO’s Executive Director Rita Shapiro and Director of Education Programs Carole Wysocki, plus listen to a performance sound clip and be on the lookout for “postcards from the road” from NSO cellist Yvonne Caruthers.

Kansas will be the site of the National Symphony Orchestra’s 2007, American Residency. Between March 22 and 30, 2007 the members of the Orchestra will participate in approximately 150 education and performance activities in all regions of the state.

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts selected Kansas at the invitation of the Kansas Arts Commission. The Commission will take on the role of coordinating Residency activities throughout the entire state. The Residency is funded by the Kennedy Center through a grant from the U.S. Department of Education, as it has been since 1994. Beginning in 2006, chamber music and outreach events are being supported by the Kennedy Center Abe Fortas Memorial Fund for chamber music and by a major gift to the fund from the late Carolyn E. Agger, widow of Abe Fortas. The 2007 American Residency: Kansas is sponsored by Koch Industries, Inc. and the Fred C. and Mary R. Koch Foundation.

About the 2007 American Residency

American Residencies: Testimonials American Residencies: Education Accessibility American Residencies: Education: Brass Quintet American Residencies: Education: Fiddling Around Meet the Musician: Daniel Foster on American Residencies Requires RealPlayer - Download Now

The NSO will travel to Kansas on March 22, 2007, and will return to Washington, DC, on March 30, 2007. There will be a total of six orchestral concerts, including a concert for young people, in the state. Dozens of educational and outreach activities and other events are being planned. Proceeds from all concerts remain in the state to benefit presenting organizations.

"The Kansas Arts Commission is thrilled to announce that we have invited the National Symphony Orchestra to Kansas for an American Residency. We are pleased to say that they have agreed. The Commission is thrilled to work with the National Symphony Orchestra to make this tour happen," said Anita Wolgast, Chair of the Arts Commission. "The residency will enable thousands of Kansans to meet, work with and hear the musicians of the NSO. We believe that this program will add so much to arts throughout the state. This is truly a cause for celebration."

"On behalf of the National Symphony Orchestra and the Kennedy Center, it gives me great pleasure to accept the Kansas Arts Commission’s invitation. The American Residency is one of the signature projects of the National Symphony Orchestra,” responded Executive Director Rita Shapiro. "Music Director Leonard Slatkin, Associate Conductor Emil de Cou, and the members of the Orchestra all give extensively of their many talents during the Residency, and are richly rewarded, in turn, by all that we learn and bring back home to the Kennedy Center, the nation’s center for the performing arts. We look forward to learning more about the people and state of Kansas.”

"We’re delighted the National Symphony Orchestra has selected Kansas for its next American Residency,” said Governor Sebelius. "This will serve as an extraordinary opportunity for Kansans of all ages to experience beautiful music played by an internationally renowned orchestra. We’re grateful to the National Symphony Orchestra and to those who have made this week-long Residency possible.”

"All Kansans, but especially music lovers and children, will be the beneficiaries of this wonderful Residency,” said Llewellyn Crain, Arts Commission Executive Director. "The National Symphony Orchestra’s American Residency was first brought to our attention by John Strickler, the
Music Director & Conductor of the Topeka Symphony, and the Lied Center of Kansas. We acknowledge and thank them for their foresight. Indeed, we thank all the community partners and venues for their enthusiastic participation in the National Symphony Orchestra’s Kansas Residency. It will bring so much to communities throughout the state.”

A state agency, the Kansas Arts Commission was established in 1966 by the Kansas Legislature and is charged by its enabling legislation to increase the support, awareness and outreach of the arts in communities throughout the state. The Commission promotes the preservation, creation, and appreciation of the arts and provides a variety of arts resources and services to Kansas communities and organizations. As of July 20, 2006, the Kansas Arts Commission has awarded $1,236,325 in grants to 170 arts and cultural organizations, local government agencies and schools throughout the state. These grants reflect support for arts projects and activities during the 2007 fiscal year. The Kansas Arts Commission is funded by the state of Kansas as well as by grants from the National Endowment for the Arts. For more information on the Kansas Arts Commission, please visit arts.state.ks.us or call (785) 296-3335.

Residency Follow-Up Activities

Summer Music Institute: Since 1992, the Kennedy Center/NSO National Trustees’ Summer Music Institute - a training program for young orchestral musicians (ages 14-21) from across the country-has welcomed students annually for four weeks of study, rehearsal and coaching sessions. As part of the American Residency, up to six students from Kansas will be chosen to receive scholarships to the 2007 Summer Music Institute. Students are selected by taped audition.

Teacher Fellowship: A Kansas music teacher will be selected for an individually designed program to further the teacher’s professional development. The program will take place in Washington, D.C., under the auspices of the National Symphony Orchestra and the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.

Chamber Music Commission: A Kansas composer will be selected to create a chamber music work to be premiered at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.

The in-state coordinator for all three projects is Jennifer Wesco, program manager for the Kansas Arts Commission.

Preliminary Schedule

Representatives from the National Symphony Orchestra work with the Kansas Arts Commission organizations to determine the complete Residency schedule. All time periods not involving the full orchestra are expected to include education, outreach, and chamber music activities requested by organizations within Kansas.

Travel from Washington, DC, to Topeka, KS

Outreach activities in Topeka and surrounding area

Outreach activities in Topeka and surrounding areas

Travel to Wichita

Outreach in Wichita and surrounding areas

NSO Young People’s Concert
Emil de Cou, conductor

Outreach in Lawrence and surrounding areas

Outreach in Lawrence, Pittsburg and surrounding areas

Travel to Washington, DC