Mission
NSO is an orchestra of excellence, promoting music within the UAE for current and future generations of Emirati nationals, residents and visitors.
Forging artistic links internationally, NSO inspires young musicians with its educational and professional development programmes.
NSO is an integral part of the Emirati artistic life, enriching the nation's cultural offering. The orchestra is a cultural ambassador for the UAE, in support of the government's vision for 2030, by contributing to a knowledge-based economy, continuing strong and diverse international relationships, while maintaining the nation's values, culture and heritage.
Forging artistic links internationally, NSO inspires young musicians with its educational and professional development programmes.
NSO is an integral part of the Emirati artistic life, enriching the nation's cultural offering. The orchestra is a cultural ambassador for the UAE, in support of the government's vision for 2030, by contributing to a knowledge-based economy, continuing strong and diverse international relationships, while maintaining the nation's values, culture and heritage.
Vision
NSO will be the region's leading orchestra, positioning the UAE as a centre of excellence among the world's music, a gathering place where every culture, every nation, every tradition can meet and, through the universal language of the arts, relate to our common human interests: peace, acceptance, respect and mutual understanding.
NSO comprises the NSO Symphony Orchestra, the NSO Chamber Orchestra, the NSO Symphonic Pops Orchestra, the NSO Opera & Chorus and the NSO Music Agency.
More than 100 musicians of some 20 nationalities, who live in six of the seven emirates, make up the various formations of NSO and are professional musicians and musical educators who have performed regularly for their own national orchestras.
NSO performs numerous major symphonic and operatic works, as well as a more popular classical and music theatre repertoire. Every concert endeavours to feature musical contributions from the UAE, whether a composer, solo singer or musician, such as a pianist or Oud player.
NSO presents concerts throughout the year for the general public and is regularly called upon to perform for private, corporate and government events. NSO also outsources, through its NSO Music Agency, smaller groups such as the NSO Symphonic Brass, the NSO Big Band, the NSO String Quartet, the NSO Jazz Ensemble, the NSO Three Tenors and the NSO Three Sopranos.
Entrepreneur and former Opera Singer Janet Hassouneh founded NSO in 2011 to meet the region's cultural aspirations. Originally from the USA, where she obtained her master's in musical performance, she has worked in the music business in the UAE for the past 30 years, performing, teaching and organising music theatre and opera concerts featuring international guest artists from New York and London. Numerous performances were staged for charitable causes, under the auspices of the UAE authorities. NSO UAE was formed to reciprocate the government's hospitality.
More than 100 musicians of some 20 nationalities, who live in six of the seven emirates, make up the various formations of NSO and are professional musicians and musical educators who have performed regularly for their own national orchestras.
NSO performs numerous major symphonic and operatic works, as well as a more popular classical and music theatre repertoire. Every concert endeavours to feature musical contributions from the UAE, whether a composer, solo singer or musician, such as a pianist or Oud player.
NSO presents concerts throughout the year for the general public and is regularly called upon to perform for private, corporate and government events. NSO also outsources, through its NSO Music Agency, smaller groups such as the NSO Symphonic Brass, the NSO Big Band, the NSO String Quartet, the NSO Jazz Ensemble, the NSO Three Tenors and the NSO Three Sopranos.
Entrepreneur and former Opera Singer Janet Hassouneh founded NSO in 2011 to meet the region's cultural aspirations. Originally from the USA, where she obtained her master's in musical performance, she has worked in the music business in the UAE for the past 30 years, performing, teaching and organising music theatre and opera concerts featuring international guest artists from New York and London. Numerous performances were staged for charitable causes, under the auspices of the UAE authorities. NSO UAE was formed to reciprocate the government's hospitality.