 Last month, the National Symphony Orchestra presented NSO at UNION STATION, two train-themed" concerts at Union Station as part of their In Your Neighborhood Program. Under the leadership of NSO's Assistant Conductor Ankush Kumar Bahl, WUSA Channel 9's Andrea Roane served as mistress of ceremonies. I wrote the script, which consisted of short vignettes that not only introduced each song and composer, but also captured the spirit of the music and offered a glimpse of the vibrant landscapes one might see while riding a train. It was such a rich and joyous writing experience.
I sat front row at both concerts. Applause and cheers abound after each song. Every now and again, I'd look around to see a room brimming with people of all ages, races and multiple abilities. I was delighted to see so many families with children. I can't say enough how much I enjoyed working with the National Symphony Orchestra and hope that this is the first of many collaborations. And now, at long last, I have these wonderful photos by Josh Sisk to share with you. Please enjoy!      
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 On Saturday, January 11th at 3:00pm and 7:00pm, the National Symphony Orchestra presents NSO at UNION STATION as part of their In Your Neighborhood program. Led by NSO Assistant Conductor Ankush Kumar Bahl and featuring WUSA Channel 9's Andrea Roane as host, I wrote the script for this delightful "train-themed" concert. As a lover of travel and adventure, it was thrilling to explore the picturesque landscapes and history of train travel of Austria, Denmark, Finland, Mexico, Brazil, France and the U.S. through this beautiful music. I'm heading to rehearsal this afternoon and plan to take loads of pictures. Remember, this event is free and open to the public. I hope that you can attend!
NSO AT UNION STATION Saturday, January 11th at 3 P.M. & 7 P.M. Union Station, East Hall, 50 Massachusetts Ace.,NE Led by NSO Assistant Conductor Ankush Kumar Bahl, written by Jacqueline E. Lawton and featuring WUSA Channel 9's Andrea Roane as host, the National Symphony performs two full "train-themed" concerts at Union Station. Program to include:
Free. Seating is limited and on a first-come, first-served basis. Click here for the full program and enjoy this video!  I've always had a good ear for music and can pluck out a melody on the piano by ear. When I was in junior high, I joined the school band. At first, I didn't want to, because they didn't offer the violin. I had loved the violin ever since watching In the Good Old Summertime with Judy Garland and Van Johnson. That was also when I decided that I loved red dresses, men who read poetry, and wanted to be a carefree, independent, happy-go-lucky woman who winked at men right back. At present, I don't own any red dresses, but I've loved men who not only read, but also wrote poetry, and I dare say, I've winked back at my fair share of men and am not ashamed to admit that I've initiated a few winks of my own! In the end, I joined the band, because of my sister. She joined to have something fun to do and to spend time with all of her friends. She's very smart my sister. She played the baritone beautifully. I decided to play the trumpet. I was determined to play with the zest of Louis Armstrong, the power of Dizzy Gillespie and the tone of Wynton Marsalis. Zest, I had in abundance, but owing to asthma, my lungs were weak. More often than not, I had to forego playing the solo during marching band, but owned it during concert season. And had excellent tone ... or so I was told. I still have the trumpet. I take it out every now again to play the scales and try to keep up my embouchure. I also have a violin that my parents bought me for 8th grade graduation. Sadly, I can't play a single note. Still, my passion for music never waned. In fact, I create a different soundtrack for each of my plays and every character has a song for various moments in their journey. I listen to classical music more than anything else. So, you can imagine my delight when my dear friend, Kim Peter Kovack, told me about the opportunity to write the script for the National Symphony Orchestra's In Your Neighborhood program. I knew immediately that I wanted to do it and am so appreciative for the opportunity. I'm working on the script now, and it's so much fun. As a lover of travel and adventure, I'm enjoying being transported to Austria, Denmark, Finland, Mexico, Brazil, France and across the United States through this beautiful music. I can hardly wait to share this program with all of you in January and hope that you can attend! Here's more information about the program: The 2014 NSO in Your Neighborhood is the NSO’s third neighborhood specific intensive performance project in DC. Last year, over the course of seven days, more than 30 events took place in schools, churches, community centers, restaurants, and bars. Key performances took place at the restored Howard Theatre, Lincoln Theatre, and Howard University’s Cramton Auditorium, recognizing the 100th anniversary of the University’s School of Music. The National Symphony Orchestra will make Capitol Hill and H Street, NE, the focus of its free community engagement activities in January 2014. Between January 7 and 13, members of the NSO will break into small ensembles to perform chamber music and educational activities as requested by 20 community organizations. The events will include three orchestral concerts, one at Atlas Performing Arts Center and two at Union Station. The opening concert will take place at the Atlas Performing Arts Center on January 8. Built in 1938, in the area then known as Swampoodle, this recently renovated art-deco cinema has been key to the revitalization of the Near Northeast portion of DC. Assistant Conductor Ankush Kumar Bahl will lead that performance and the two at Union Station on Saturday, January 11th, which I'm writing and celebrated television news anchor Andrea Roane will be narrating. NSO AT UNION STATION Saturday, January 11th at 3 P.M. & 7 P.M. Union Station, East Hall, 50 Massachusetts Ace.,NE Led by NSO Assistant Conductor Ankush Kumar Bahl, written by Jacqueline E. Lawton and featuring WUSA Channel 9's Andrea Roane as host, the National Symphony performs two full "train-themed" concerts at Union Station. Program to include:
Free. Seating is limited and on a first-come, first-served basis. Click here for the full program and enjoy this video! We appreciate your support!
In Your Neighborhood provides free events in schools, community centers, churches, businesses, and performing arts venues throughout the area.
Become part of this important project by supporting the National Symphony Orchestra's first crowdfunding campaign. Why crowdfunding? In Your Neighborhood can only provide free live music and education programs through the generosity of community leaders, local businesses, and our neighbors....and we still need your help! When you donate, you'll be sharing the power of classical music with your neighbors. In Your Neighborhood is a program developed and promoted in collaboration with the community. The schedule of events will reflect requests gathered from the community itself, with the assistance of partnering organizations. And you'll be recognized as a donor and kept updated by email as new exciting programs are added. And most of all...we'll look forward to seeing you in January! |
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I'm a playwright, dramaturg, and teaching artist. It is here where you'll find my queries and musings on life, theater and the world. My posts advocate for diversity, inclusion, and equity in the American Theatre and updates on my own work. Please enjoy!
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