NSO performs in new venues after closure

The National Symphony Orchestra opened its new season on Sept. 26 at the Music Center at Strathmore in Bethesda, Maryland. The concert took place 11 days after the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts closed its doors in Washington, D.C. The orchestra now performs in six different venues across the region.

The Kennedy Center shut down on Sept. 15. This followed months of declining ticket sales and legal disputes over the addition of President Trump's name to the building. Trump took control of the center in early 2025 after firing board members and president Deborah Rutter. The 95-year-old orchestra has played at the Kennedy Center since it opened in 1971.

Music director Gianandrea Noseda said the closure was a shock. He called the news a cold shower. He asked what the group would do without a home. The orchestra had to wait for budget approval from the board of trustees. This delayed the season announcement until mid-August. Musicians had only six weeks to prepare.

Anne Midgette, a former classical music critic for The Washington Post, expressed concern about the orchestra's survival. She noted that the NSO is deeply tied to the Kennedy Center. She described the situation as a mess. She said she was worried the season might not happen at all. The orchestra is playing about half its usual number of concerts this year.

Financial reports indicate ticket revenue is down by about half. Donations are down by a quarter. The Washington Post reported these drops in August. The center also cut its development department. Executive director Jean Davidson left her position in March. She cited the turmoil at the center as the primary reason for her departure.

Associate principal double bassist Rick Barber joined the NSO in 1995. He said the musicians were stunned by the closure. He described the following months as filled with anxiety. Barber believes the orchestra will continue. He says he focuses on the music when playing and ignores political divisions.

Noseda extended his contract with the orchestra until 2031. He did this after Rutter was fired. He said leaving would have been too easy. He wanted to serve the orchestra and the community. He aims to reach new audiences in different locations. He calls this approach seeing the glass half full.

The opening concert in Bethesda was well attended. The program included new music by Carlos Simon and works by Tchaikovsky and Respighi. The audience gave a strong response to the performance. Midgette called the night bittersweet. She said it was great to see the musicians together but sad that they were away from their home hall.

Symphony orchestras across the country are facing financial difficulties. The Phoenix Symphony recently shut down. Midgette noted that rising costs for gas and groceries make it harder for people to afford tickets. She called the current time challenging for the arts. She said the varied venues this season will be a test for the orchestra.