NASA Langley marks US 250th anniversary and centre’s 109th birthday with community symphony

The NASA Langley Research Center held the “Stars, Stripes, and Supernovas – Symphony Under the Stars” event on July 16 to mark the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States of America and the centre’s 109th birthday. The gathering brought together NASA employees, their families, and local community members for an evening of musical performance and celebration.

The event featured an orchestra composed of NASA Langley staff and members of the Williamsburg Youth Orchestra. The programme included smaller group performances by employees and appearances by special guest artist Karl Werne. The musical selection blended patriotic favourites with space-inspired compositions, reflecting the dual nature of the celebration.

Performances included “America the Beautiful” and “God Bless America,” alongside Gustav Holst’s “Jupiter, the Bringer of Jollity” from the orchestral suite *The Planets*. The inclusion of space-themed pieces was intended to highlight the creativity and talent within the NASA Langley community.

Jennifer Kibler, deputy director of the Research Directorate at NASA Langley, described the event as an opportunity to share diverse talents and create something meaningful. She noted that bringing people together to perform was a way to foster connection and celebrate the beauty of the collaboration.

The event took place one day prior to the official date of NASA Langley’s 109th anniversary. Nicole Oman, an administrative management specialist with the Research Directorate, highlighted the gathering as a significant team effort. She stated that the success of the event relied on the contributions of every person involved, underscoring the collaborative spirit of the centre’s scientists, engineers, and staff.