Program of American music by Nat King Cole, Copland, Rodgers, Zappa and Sousa takes the stage at The Chrysalis in Columbia, Maryland
COLUMBIA, Md. — Sept. 15, 2026 — The National Chamber Orchestra (NCO) and the U.S. Army Blues joined forces on Labor Day to perform a free, open-air celebration of American music. The concert, at The Chrysalis at Merriweather Park at Symphony Woods in Columbia, Maryland, marks NCO's second concert and kicks off the 2026 season.
The evening paired the U.S. Army Blues, the flagship jazz ensemble of The U.S. Army Band “Pershing’s Own,” with NCO’s roster of Washington-area professional musicians for a shared program spanning the works of Nat King Cole, Aaron Copland, Richard Rodgers, Frank Zappa, and John Philip Sousa. Julien Benichou serves as the artistic director of the NCO and conducted the joint performance with Chief Warrant Officer 3 Michael Becker.
Chief Warrant Officer 3 Michael Becker (left) with Maestro Julien Benichou (right)
“We were thrilled to share the Chrysalis stage with the U.S. Army Blues for a concert that celebrates everything we love about American music,” said Benichou. “The NCO aims to bring the highest quality music to our audiences, and we are proud to perform with the excellent musicians of the Army Blues.”
About the National Chamber Orchestra
The National Chamber Orchestra (NCO) is a newly formed ensemble composed of the Washington metropolitan area’s finest professional musicians, including members from the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra and the National Symphony Orchestra, alongside a roster of accomplished international soloists. NCO was co-founded in 2022 by General & Artistic Director Julien Benichou. Upcoming performances include Vivaldi’s Four Seasons and Tchaikovsky’s Serenade for Strings on October 3 and Handel’s Messiah on December 5, both at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Washington, D.C. Learn more at ncomusic.org.
About the U.S. Army Blues
The U.S. Army Blues, part of The U.S. Army Band “Pershing’s Own,” is the premier jazz ensemble of the U.S. Army. After informal beginnings in 1970, the 19-piece ensemble became an official element of the Army Band in 1972. The Army Blues fulfill their mission through public concerts, educational outreach, and the preservation of jazz as a uniquely American art form. Learn more at usarmyband.com.
Photo Credits: Joody Carlton Photography, LLC
