NSO Invited Rehearsals
Special invitations to select National Symphony Orchestra rehearsals
Curtain Raisers and above are invited.
Registration opens mid-April.
Event takes place during the summer season.
Wolf Trap is the summer home of the National Symphony Orchestra (NSO) and each year patrons enjoy classical music under the stars. Members at the Curtain Raiser level and above have the added benefit of being invited to an NSO working rehearsal, which provides insider access to the artistic process.
Practice Makes Perfect
Rehearsals vary as much as the artists and performances themselves. One rehearsal might look a lot like the final performance, while another stops and starts as the conductor makes tweaks. As they say, practice makes perfect!
For Wolf Trap member John Tuohy, witnessing the creative process is all part of the fun. He says, “At rehearsals everyone is tweaking their performance trying to hit the perfect note. Witnessing the process makes going to the performance more rewarding… The orchestra plays something that sounds fine to me, and the conductor will stop and have them go back and do it again with what he/she wants. They play it again and you can hear the changes. It has improved my enjoyment of all kinds of music.”
Bring Your Friends
Members are invited to bring a group of up to six people to the Invited Working Rehearsals. “My favorite part is that it is free and we get a chance to bring a friend or two who otherwise isn't able to get out to Wolf Trap and who also enjoys the symphony,” says Wolf Trap member Barbara Juszczyk.
Know Before You Go
Invited Rehearsals take place in the afternoon when the Filene Center would not otherwise be open, so you will not find your usual favorite concessions or amenities, and seating is not reserved.
Barbara advises, “I highly recommend bringing water, as it can get quite warm.” Barbara also recommends getting there early to sit as close as possible for the best view of the action.
Members are seated in the box and loge sections of the Filene Center, so food and other drinks are not allowed. Finally, please respect the rehearsal process and keep noise to a minimum.