NSO SMI Orchestra Concert

The National Symphony Orchestra Summer Music Institute Orchestra presents its final full orchestra concert of the 33rd annual Summer Music Institute—a three-week festival of orchestral and chamber music for young musicians ages 15–20. Led by conductor Michelle Merrill, the program opens with Leonard Bernstein’s rousing *Candide Overture*, followed by Sara Kirkland Snider’s *Something for the Dark* and Mason Bates’s *Warehouse Medicine* from the B‑sides. A concerto piece (to be determined) and Antonín Dvořák’s monumental *Symphony No. 9* complete the evening. The concert takes place at Lisner Auditorium and will also be streamed live online.

Program: Leonard Bernstein, *Candide Overture*; Sara Kirkland Snider, *Something for the Dark*; Concerto TBD; Mason Bates, *Warehouse Medicine* (from the B‑sides); Antonín Dvořák, *Symphony No. 9*

Conductor: Michelle Merrill

Performers: The NSO SMI Orchestra 2026 comprises musicians from 17 states, Puerto Rico, and 8 countries, organized in sections: violin, viola, cello, bass, harp, flute, clarinet, oboe, bassoon, horn, trumpet, trombone, bass trombone, tuba, keyboard, and percussion (a full roster including individual names and home locations is listed on the event page). Some musicians are noted as performing on this date only (marked **), while others perform on both June 21 and June 27.

When: Saturday, June 27, 2026 at 6:00 p.m.

Venue: Lisner Auditorium, 730 21st St, NW, Washington, DC

Tickets: Ticket information is not provided; visit the Kennedy Center website to reserve tickets.

Run time: Not specified

Ages: Not specified; the Summer Music Institute serves musicians ages 15–20, but the concert is open to all.

Note: This is the final full orchestra concert of the 33rd annual NSO Summer Music Institute. The concert will be streamed live online; watch in person or via the Kennedy Center video stream.