The Kennedy Center presented a sold-out holiday concert, "Notes of Honor: NSO Salutes the Military," featuring the National Symphony Orchestra and vocalist Melinda Doolittle. The program included patriotic selections such as Stars and Stripes for Christmas and an Armed Forces Service Song Medley. Tickets were offered free to active-duty service members, veterans and retirees, with support from sponsor RTX. Organizers said the concert was intended as a special night of gratitude and celebration for military families facing deployments and holiday separations.
Kennedy Center’s 'Notes of Honor' Sells Out as NSO Salutes Military With Patriotic Holiday Concert
The National Symphony Orchestra presents its holiday spectacular free of charge to active duty service members, veterans, and their families.
The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts honored service members, veterans and military families Thursday night with a sold-out holiday concert, "Notes of Honor: NSO Salutes the Military," presented by the National Symphony Orchestra (NSO).
The annual tribute — one of the Kennedy Center’s most meaningful December traditions — featured vocalist Melinda Doolittle alongside the full orchestra and chorus. Highlights included a spirited performance of Stars and Stripes for Christmas and a full Armed Forces Service Song Medley that invited members of each military branch to stand as their anthem played throughout the Concert Hall in Washington, D.C.
Principal Conductor Steven Reineke, left, poses with a military service member at a "Notes of Honor" concert in 2019 at the Kennedy Center.
Organizers emphasized that the program was designed to recognize the service and sacrifices of military families, many of whom face deployments, financial strain and holiday separations. To ensure broad participation, the Kennedy Center offered tickets free to active-duty personnel, veterans, retirees and prior-service members who exchanged vouchers for seats with valid military identification. Demand was high and the concert reached sold-out status.
“Singing for our United States military around the world has been one of the most meaningful parts of my career,” said Melinda Doolittle. “I’ve met families who sacrifice more than we ever see, and service members whose bravery inspires me long after the music ends. It’s a privilege to join this concert and offer even a small expression of the gratitude they deserve.”
Principal Conductor Steven Reineke described the evening as one of his favorite NSO traditions and said it was especially moving to celebrate the holiday spirit with service members and their loved ones who often spend holidays apart.
Songstress Melinda Doolittle and conductor Steven Reineke lead the Christmas concert for military families at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., on Thursday.
Behind the Scenes and Support
Fox News Digital was granted exclusive access to the Kennedy Center’s Concert Hall as the orchestra and chorus rehearsed for the performance. The concert was produced by the National Symphony Orchestra with support from aerospace and defense firm RTX, whose partnership helps keep tickets free for military attendees and their families.
The Notes of Honor event has become a hallmark of the Kennedy Center’s December programming, offering a rare evening where much of the audience is composed of military families and their guests.
