The National Symphony Orchestra is the preeminent orchestra of the Washington, D.C. area, with a history of performing for presidents.
The roots of the orchestra date back to January 1, 1930, when a group of 80 musicians presented the first of three concerts in Washington. The next year was the official founding of the National Symphony Orchestra, with Hans Kindler as music director and Washington's Constitution Hall as its home. Although trained as a cellist, Kindler was adept at conducting, orchestra-building, and programming. Over a 19-year period, he honed the ensemble an...