The National String Symphonia, Inc.

Founded in 2013, the National String Symphonia (NSS) is a professional symphonic string orchestra. The NSS mission is to preserve, promote, and present string orchestra music. Many ensembles do not program this repertoire for a variety of reasons, including its relative obscurity and musical complexity, as well as basic challenges in obtaining performance materials. This body of work spans nearly 500 years. While we are apt to envision art music composers as wig-adorned, white European men, music is being created today by an assortment of composers that includes diversity in gender, race, ethnicity, age, geography, and style. The universality of the music and its makers is also reflected in the makeup of the NSS. Our members represent a wide age range, hail from all over the world, and bring a variety of experience to our organization. The NSS goal is to reach beyond the archetypical orchestra audience and become an integral part of the musical life of listeners at all ages and stages. We seek to innovate the concert experience, and we are exploring new and different ways of presenting the music – including the use of video elements and educational presentations. We strive to increase accessibility to and relevance of the music while ensuring high-caliber performances. The NSS has performed in Baltimore, Montgomery, Howard, and Frederick counties in Maryland, the District of Columbia, and Northern Virginia. Since 2022, the NSS has also performed “Strings in the Wild” (i.e., outside the normal confines of concert halls; hence, “in the wild”) or #WildStrings We have performed in shopping malls, outside subway stations, in restaurants, etc., and will continue working to bring the music to the people.