Accord Symphony Orchestra

Accord Symphony Orchestra
Orchestra
Former nameDC Strings Orchestra
Founded2017 (2017)
LocationWashington, D.C., U.S.
Concert hallJohn F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
Principal conductorJulien Benichou
Websiteaccordsymphony.org

The Accord Symphony Orchestra is an American symphony orchestra based in Washington, D.C., United States.

Founded in 2017 by Andrew M. Lee (originally called DC Strings Orchestra), it is a symphony orchestra based in Washington, D.C.. One of the Accord Symphony Orchestra's venues is the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, where it usually gives various concerts. The orchestra regularly collaborates with the Washington Conservatory of Music.[1]

Julien Benichou has been serving as the orchestra's principal conductor since 2023.[2] Andrew M. Lee is the executive director.

History

DC Strings held its first concert in December 2016 at the Covenant Baptist Church in Southeast Washington, D.C, performing the Messiah. The concert's remarkable success led to the creation of the DC Strings Workshop (DCSW), established in 2017, a DC-based non-profit aiming to make classical music accessible to all. These were the orchestra's first steps and DC Strings Orchestra and DC Strings Chamber Orchestra were created.[3]

Nowadays the Accord Symphony Orchestra and the Accord Chamber Orchestra are the flagship ensembles of the DC Strings Workshop.[4][5][6] The main objectives of the orchestra are to form a high-level professional orchestra, to bring classical music to the entire DC region, to all those people who cannot afford it (who cannot afford the Kennedy Center) and also to promote diversity and plurality.[3][7][8][9][10]

In its early years, the orchestra was directed by African-American composer and conductor Ahmed Alabaca.[11] In 2018 Veronica Jackson took over from Alabaca as the music director and conductor of the orchestra.[12][13] In 2020 Spanish conductor Juan Gallastegui was appointed orchestra's principal conductor.[14][15][16]

By the beginning of 2023, the orchestra had performed more than one hundred concerts since its founding in the 2016-17 season.[10]

Since 2023 French conductor Julien Benichou has been serving as the orchestra's principal conductor.[2][17]

Chief conductors

Guest conductors

Ahmed Alabaca, Jeri Lynne Johnson, Ángel Gil-Ordóñez, Nevilla Ottley-Adjahoe, Kevin O’Brien, Bruce Cavaniss, Jeff Kempskie, Isaiah Shim, Melissa Jean Chavez, Jeffry Newberger, Stanley Thurston, Alan Buxbaum, David E. Robinson, JoAnna Cochenet.[19]

Executive director

  • Andrew M. Lee (2017–present)

Performance venues

See also

References

  1. ^ "Accord Symphony Orchestra Holiday Concert featuring Handel's Messiah and Corelli's Christmas Concerto". Washington Conservatory of Music. Retrieved 2026-02-15.
  2. ^ a b c Carducci, Linda. "A Conversation with Accord Symphony Orchestra Conductor Julien Benichou | WETA". weta.org. Retrieved 2026-01-31.
  3. ^ a b Jacobovitz, Gavrielle (2018-07-10). "DC Strings Performs Music With, Not For, the Audience". East of the River. Retrieved 2026-02-15.
  4. ^ "The Accord Chamber Orchestra - Millennium Stage (March 13, 2024)". The Kennedy Center. Archived from the original on 2026-02-03. Retrieved 2026-02-15.
  5. ^ "SOME's Summer Concert with DC Strings". The Parks DC. Retrieved 2026-02-15.
  6. ^ "The Accord Symphony Orchestra". Prince George's Suite. 2024-03-13. Retrieved 2026-02-15.
  7. ^ Staff, Adrianna Hopkins, WJLA (2021-02-19). "DC Strings' concert highlights Black Americans' contributions to classical music". WJLA. Retrieved 2026-02-15.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  8. ^ "Events". Baltimore Sun. 2023-09-28. Retrieved 2026-02-15.
  9. ^ Robin (2024-08-30). "The Accord Symphony Orchestra to Perform Outdoor Concert at Oatlands". TysonsToday. Retrieved 2026-02-15.
  10. ^ a b Carducci, Linda. "Living the Dream: A Celebration of the March on Washington with DC Strings Workshop | WETA". weta.org. Retrieved 2026-02-15.
  11. ^ a b "Ahmed Alabaca". DC Strings Workshop. Retrieved 2026-02-15.
  12. ^ "Veronica Jackson". DC Strings Workshop. Retrieved 2026-02-15.
  13. ^ a b Strings, D. C. (2018-08-28). "Introducing…..Veronica Jackson, DC Strings' New Orchestra Director". DC Strings Workshop. Retrieved 2026-01-31.
  14. ^ a b Strings, D. C. (2020-10-08). "2020 DC Strings Orchestra Announces Appointment of Dr. Juan A. Gallastegui as Conductor & Music Director". DC Strings Workshop. Retrieved 2026-01-31.
  15. ^ OperaWireAdmin2 (2020-10-11). "Juan Gallastegui Named Music Director of DC Strings Orchestra". OperaWire. Retrieved 2026-01-31.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  16. ^ Hidalgo, Samira (2020-11-11). "«Dúo Vital y Argenta son ejemplos extraordinarios, pero los músicos de diario en Castro son muchos y muy buenos»". El Diario Montañés (in Spanish). Retrieved 2026-01-31.
  17. ^ Strings, D. C. (2024-05-16). "Discover Spanish Elegance: An Evening with Accord Symphony Orchestra". DC Strings Workshop. Retrieved 2026-02-15.
  18. ^ Strings, D. C. (2023-12-05). "Welcome Julien Benichou to the DC Strings Family!". DC Strings Workshop. Retrieved 2026-01-31.
  19. ^ "Conductors". DC Strings Workshop. Retrieved 2026-01-31.
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