National Symphony Orchestra moves to six venues after Kennedy Center closure
The 95-year-old ensemble is cutting its season in half and relying on outside halls to survive a turbulent year.
By Bianca Herrera ·
The National Symphony Orchestra is playing in six different venues across the Washington, D.C. region because its home, the John F. Kennedy Center, shut its doors on Sept. 15.
The closure ended a run that began in 1971. It followed a period of declining ticket sales, public boycotts, and a federal court dispute regarding the addition of President Trump’s name to the building’s exterior. Trump assumed control of the center in early 2025 after removing several board members and firing president Deborah Rutter.
Music director Gianandrea Noseda, an Italian conductor who has led the group for nine years, described the sudden loss of their home as a shock.
“It was absolutely unexpected,” Noseda said. “The news of the closing of the Kennedy Center came like a cold shower. And my first reaction was, ‘What will we do now if we don’t have our home?’”
The orchestra had to announce its season in mid-August, just six weeks before the opening concert. That date arrived only 11 days after the Kennedy Center locked its gates. On Sept. 26, the musicians performed at the Music Center at Strathmore in Bethesda, Md.
The program featured new works by Carlos Simon alongside pieces by Tchaikovsky and Respighi. Anne Midgette, a former classical music critic for The Washington Post, called the evening bittersweet because a major city orchestra had to perform outside its traditional hall.
Financial pressures are compounding the logistical challenges. The Washington Post reported in August that ticket revenue is expected to drop by roughly half. Donations are projected to fall by a quarter, partly due to large cuts to the Kennedy Center’s development department.
The orchestra also lost key staff. Executive director Jean Davidson resigned in March, citing the turmoil at the Kennedy Center. The NSO is now performing about half as many concerts as it does in a typical year.
Rick Barber, the associate principal double bassist who joined the group in 1995, said the musicians felt stunned and anxious after the announcement. However, he said the political divisions in the country do not affect his focus during performances.
Noseda chose to stay and extended his contract through 2031 rather than leaving after Rutter’s dismissal. He said leaving would have been too easy and described it as a cowardly move for a leader.
The conductor sees the change as a chance to reach new audiences. He believes the music can still bring people together despite the difficult circumstances.
Midgette called the current season an acid test for the orchestra’s identity. She noted that symphonies nationwide are struggling with affordability and attendance, with the Phoenix Symphony recently shutting down.
