Absolute best: Performance at Kennedy Center a highlight for NHS orchestra director, students

Editor’s note: In September of last year, Northport High School Orchestra Director Michael Susinno learned his orchestra had 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. Susinno describes below, in his own words, how an opportunity that at first seemed too ambitious became the highlight of his career – and an unforgettable experience for his students. Read to the end to find out how to support this very talented group on their next endeavor, a trip to Paris.  

It's been a few weeks since we returned from Washington, and I can say that we are still flooded with emotions. This experience has easily been the highlight of my 23-year career so far, and the students are still in a state of semi-disbelief regarding the amazing things that happened. I am forever grateful for the opportunity to work with such outstanding young ladies and gentlemen and to be the steward for a program that is a gem sparkling brighter than the Hope Diamond (more on that later).

The entire year of study has been devoted to the study of contemporary American and classical French music, to commemorate the 80th anniversary of D-Day in June. We’ve also mixed in lessons focused on French art, architecture, culture and food. We announced a trip to Paris early in September, and then received an invitation to apply for the Kennedy Center performance several days later. 

At first, it seemed too ambitious, and it certainly seemed out of reach from a financial standpoint. I almost sent our regrets, but I realized that the application process was fairly simple and the phrase “nothing ventured, nothing gained” came to mind.

After being selected, I had the opportunity to speak with the organizers of the event about repertoire. Many orchestras across the US are performing works by French composers this year and many orchestras like us will be traveling to France this summer. The orchestra students at Northport High School have already learned works by Bizet, Debussy, Faure, Massenet, Saint Saens and Vieuxtemps in keeping with our theme. 

We decided to include a patriotic selection for the Kennedy Center, as the concert itself was on President's Day. As a finale of our performance, we chose to program a gorgeous contemporary work called Point Lookout, which is a medley of American Civil War songs. The students performed to perfection and the audience of 2,000 gave us a standing ovation. I also had the opportunity to speak with many of the ushers, many of whom are retired military or government personnel, who deeply appreciated our choice. We were the only of four orchestras to include a patriotic selection, while three of the four orchestras performed French music. 

The first stop at Arlington National Cemetery gave us the opportunity to lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Many of our students would have visited this sacred landmark in middle school, had their trips to Washington not been canceled during the pandemic. Four students were selected to participate, and the entire orchestra stood watching in silent support. Our students were incredibly attentive, respectful and beautifully focused on the reason for the experience. 

Following the ceremony, our students were invited inside the Memorial Amphitheater to speak with a member of the US Army about his personal experiences. I have been on 19 school trips to Washington, and this had never happened before. Our tour director was also very surprised by the impromptu invitation and the amount of time given to our students. He kept us for nearly 30 minutes and patiently answered every question our students had for him. 

Our clinic with Colonel Dennis Layendecker was a very positive experience as well. He immediately noticed and commented on the high ability level of our students, their obvious and meticulous preparation of the music, and most notably, their ability to take his suggestions in stride and implement them immediately. His insightful suggestion for a slight change in how we approached the Tempo di Valse of the second movement of the Dvorak Serenade allowed our performance the following day to reach new heights. I am very grateful for that, as are the students. 

Colonel Layendecker offered similar compliments to me and insisted the students realized that I also had a very high level of skill, not commonly found in a school orchestra director. I was absolutely mortified and tried to steer the conversation away from myself, but he wouldn't have any of it. Later on the bus, one of the students raised his hand and asked, "did you know that when you blush, it goes all the way up your head?" I don't think we have stopped laughing about that yet. 

Due to the amazing levels of respect and attentiveness shown by our students, we were able to move quickly and saw three of the Smithsonian museums in the time that had been allotted for only one. I had suggested that students visit the gem collection at the museum of natural history, where they all saw the famous Hope Diamond, not to mention countless other priceless jewels. They were able to see the original Star Spangled Banner at the Museum of American History, as well as multiple exhibits pertaining to music and musical instruments.

This was a wonderful connection to the patriotic selection on our program, which featured songs from the American Civil War. Finally, we were able to make a brief visit to the Smithsonian Arboretum, which gave the students an amazing moment in the tropics, in contrast to our frigid February adventure. They were surrounded by orchids, waterfalls and warmth. It was a quick, but magical part of the day. 

The experience of performing on the main stage of the Kennedy Center was one we will never forget. I’ve never seen the students so focused and determined to give their absolute best effort. 

But wait, there’s more: The Northport High School Orchestra is hosting its first ever gala, to be held at the high school on Friday, April 5 from 7 to 9pm. The proceeds will help defray the costs of travel to Paris and, if possible, generate scholarships for additional students to attend. A three-course Italian dinner will be followed by a one-act revue on stage from 8 to 9pm. The revue will feature the orchestra, with many other individuals and student groups to perform. For more info, and to purchase tickets, click here.