Arts Council
National Symphony Orchestra American Residencies program offers activities in Kentucky communities and schools

FRANKFORT, Ky. — Kentucky will host the National Symphony Orchestra's 2011 Residency Feb. 17 – 25, 2011. During the visit, the orchestra will perform major concerts in Louisville, Florence, Owensboro, Paducah, Lexington and Somerset. As part of the residency, members of the orchestra will also participate in more than 100 educational, outreach and performance activities throughout the Commonwealth.

"It is a great honor for Kentucky to host the National Symphony Orchestra's residency," said First Lady Jane Beshear. "This will provide a wonderful opportunity for Kentuckians of all ages to experience the richness of orchestral music and to interact with some of the nation's most talented musicians."

A wide variety of community groups, including arts organizations, civic groups, churches, senior citizen homes, businesses, schools, colleges and universities, are eligible to apply for National Symphony Orchestra Residency activities. The activities offered include chamber music performances, in-school ensembles, sectionals coaching, clinics, master classes, pre-concert events, workshops for teachers, method workshops, artistic exchanges, arts education advocacy training, speakers bureau and roundtables for arts professionals. Members of the orchestra are also open to other ideas suggested by applicants.

The Kentucky Arts Council is accepting applications for residency activities on behalf of the National Symphony Orchestra until Sept. 10, 2010. Detailed information and applications are available at http://artscouncil.ky.gov/NSO/NSO.htm.

The National Symphony Orchestra American Residencies is a unique national initiative encompassing the elements of education, outreach, chamber and orchestral performances. Residencies also provide interaction with many of the state's fine artists, sharing elements of classical symphonic music with the region, while at the same time giving the region a musical voice in the nation's center for the performing arts through exchanges, training programs and commissions. Because of the generous support of many organizations — principally the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and the U.S. Department of Education — all proceeds from any ticket sales resulting from these events remain in Kentucky to support local arts organizations.

The Kentucky Arts Council, the state arts agency, is host to the National Symphony Orchestra American Residencies program for 2011. Coordination of these activities creates opportunities for Kentuckians to value, participate in and benefit from the arts. Kentucky Arts Council funding is provided by the Kentucky General Assembly and the National Endowment for the Arts.

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