Family friendly performances at the Kennedy Center

March 5-6, 2022: NSO Music for Young Audiences: I Dream of the Moon & Xavier’s New Friends
I Dream of the Moon (A Young Boy’s Adventure Through Space) by Keeghan Fountain tells the story of a young boy’s journey from his own backyard to the furthest reaches of the moon in a non-verbal performance on the vibraphone with projected images of original artwork by Nehemiah Russell. Xavier’s New Friends by Peter Gilbert introduces the main percussion family instruments through Xavier the Xylophone as he searches for percussion friends to join his band. Student musicians from the University of Maryland will join Scott to tell this story and highlight the rhythmic and melodic facets of the percussion section. Sunday, March 5 at 4pm is a sensory friendly performance. Most enjoyed by 5+.

March 11-12, 2022: “Sweet” Cherie Mitchell-Agurs
Experience the rhythm and funk of Go-go music. “SWEET” CHERIE MITCHELL-AGURS presents a performance for young people and families combining high-energy concert style presentation and dynamic musicianship. Mitchell-Agurs is Music Director of Washington D.C.’s own exciting all-female Go-go group, the Be’la Dona Band, and a six-time “Instrumentalist of the Year” for the Washington Area Music Association. Most enjoyed by 8+.

March 18-20, 2022: Pierce Freelon
Listen to the past blend with the present in a cosmic journey. Grammy-nominated producer and accomplished musician PIERCE FREELON brings two projects to the Kennedy Center displaying his inventiveness and creativity. Following his critically acclaimed debut children’s album D.a.D. in 2020, Pierce’s Grammy-nominated 2021 Black to the Future (ages 5+) features elements of Afrofuturism, Black history, and archival voices to touch on imagination, arts, science, and technology through a Black lens. Pierce is joined by his mother, jazz singer and six-time Grammy Award® nominee NNENNA FREELON for one performance. Most enjoyed by 5+.

March 20, 2022: NSO Family Concert: Because (World Premiere)
Little things can have a big effect. Because Kennedy Center Education Artist-in-Residence MO WILLEMS wrote a powerful story of how chance, discovery, and persistence changed the life of a young girl, he needed an illustrator to bring it to life. Because illustrator AMBER REN related to the hero of the story, she created magical illustrations. Because the book moved them, the NSO wanted to turn it into an orchestral piece. Because acclaimed composer and violinist JESSIE MONTGOM­­­­­ERY was also changed by music as a young person, she composed the score. Because is a world premiere symphonic exploration that you and your loved ones want to see and hear to become part of the story. Sunday, March 20 at 2pm is a sensory friendly performance. Most enjoyed by 5+.

April 9-10, 2022: NSO Music for Young Audiences: Super Cello! (World Premiere)
Music to the rescue! The city is safe with the help of a unique cellist: professional musician by day, superhero by night. SCOTTIE ROWELL of Atlanta’s TELLER PRODUCTIONS and NSO cellist DAVID TEIE unite to tell a fantastic story using puppets, props, and plenty of music to help a very super musician save the day. Sunday, April 10 at 4pm is a sensory friendly performance. Most enjoyed by 3+.

May 15, 2022: NSO Family Concert: Philharmonia Fantastique: The Making of an Orchestra
Join a concerto for orchestra and animation. Dynamic concerto meets animated film! Through a mesmerizing hybrid of animated and live action filming, follow a magical Sprite as it embarks on a musical journey through the inner workings of an orchestra. Violin strings vibrate, brass valves slice air, and drum heads resonate like you’ve never seen before—all set to live music from members of the NSO. By the film’s end, the orchestra comes together in a spectacular finale! Philharmonia Fantastique was written by Kennedy Composer-in-Residence MASON BATES, and co-created with Academy Award-nominated director/writer GARY RYDSTROM, and Academy Award nominated animator JIM CAPOBIANCO. Sunday, May 15 at 2pm is a sensory friendly performance. Enjoyed by all ages.