Northport High School orchestra selected to perform at Kennedy Center this winter
Following a tremendous performance at the National Orchestra Festival in March 2023, the Northport High School orchestra has been selected to perform at the Kennedy Center in Washington DC in February 2024. Only fifteen orchestras were invited to apply for this special event; the selected group was narrowed down to four orchestras nationwide, which includes Northport High School. The event will offer students a masterclass with a retired conductor/military colonel, a tour of the Kennedy Center, and a performance on the Kennedy Center stage.
After the American String Teachers Association’s (ASTA) National Orchestra Festival in Orlando, professional performance tour organizer Music Celebrations International took note of the talent and skill at Northport High School. As a result, NHS Orchestra Director Michael Susinno received an invitation to apply to attend the prestigious event at the Kennedy Center. He then submitted videos of the students performing and was notified of their selection this month.
“I’m just feeling excited and feeling really grateful, especially after going to ASTA last year and having the opportunity to do that,” said orchestra president and NHS senior Hannah Cho. “I just felt so blessed because there were so many opportunities to come out of that and I know that performing at the Kennedy Center will do the same.”
While the NHS orchestra has displayed its talents to audiences far and wide, Cho also noted that the role the orchestra has within the local community is just as special. She described the orchestra's performances at local events such as the farmers’ market and said, “It’s just really great to be a part of an orchestra that’s willing to put themselves out there and support the community any way they can.”
Susinno shared that despite the orchestra’s busy schedule, he didn’t want to deprive the students of a wonderful opportunity and decided to apply. He was both surprised and elated at their selection, and is now working with students to prepare for the performance, which will take place on President’s Day in Washington DC, and is sure to draw a significant crowd.
