National Symphony Orchestra plays from six venues after Kennedy Center closes

The National Symphony Orchestra no longer has a permanent home. After the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts closed its doors on Sept. 15, the 95-year-old ensemble was forced to scatter across six temporary venues in the greater Washington, D.C. region. The closure followed a period of declining ticket sales and a federal court battle regarding the addition of President Donald Trump's name to the building's exterior.

Trump assumed control of the center in early 2025. He replaced the board of trustees and removed president Deborah Rutter. The National Symphony Orchestra, which had performed in the complex since 1971, now operates as a traveling group while the fate of the arts complex remains undecided. Music director Gianandrea Noseda, who has led the orchestra for nine years, described the news of the closure as a cold shower. He said his immediate reaction was to ask what the musicians would do without their home.

The orchestra faced a tight timeline to secure new performance spaces. Most symphony groups announce their seasons in early spring. The National Symphony Orchestra had to wait for budget approval from the Kennedy Center Board of Trustees, delaying the announcement of its new schedule until mid-August. That was six weeks before the season opener. The first concert took place on Sept. 26, only 11 days after the Kennedy Center locked its doors.

The musicians traveled to the Music Center at Strathmore in Bethesda, Md., for the opening night. 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. She noted that it was remarkable for a major city orchestra to perform outside its primary hall.

Financial pressure is mounting. The Washington Post reported in August that ticket revenue is expected to fall by about half. Donations are projected to drop by a quarter. These cuts stem from reductions in the Kennedy Center's development department. The orchestra also lost key staff. Jean Davidson, the former executive director, left her position in March. She cited the turmoil at the Kennedy Center as the main reason for her departure.

Rick Barber, the associate principal double bassist, joined the ensemble in 1995. He said the musicians were stunned by the closure. He described the months following the announcement as a period of anxiety. Barber does not believe the orchestra will fold. He said that while he sees political divisions in his daily life, he focuses entirely on the music when he is playing.

Noseda chose to stay with the group rather than seek a new position. He extended his contract through 2031. He said leaving would have been too easy and called it a coward's choice. He views his role as serving the orchestra, the music, and the community. He said the goal is to reach new audiences in different locations.

The upcoming season will feature about half as many concerts as usual. Midgette described the season as an acid test for the orchestra's identity. She asked how many people remain vitally interested in the ensemble. The National Symphony Orchestra is part of a wider trend of financial struggles for symphonies across the United States. The Phoenix Symphony recently shut down. Midgette noted that rising costs for gas and food make it harder for audiences to afford tickets.

Noseda remains confident in the value of the art form. He said he believes music can still bring people together. It is unclear how long the orchestra will remain out of the Kennedy Center. The players are currently performing in various halls around the capital while they wait for a resolution to the complex's status.