National Symphony Orchestra Opens Season in Bethesda After Kennedy Center Closes

The National Symphony Orchestra opened its new season on Sept. 26 at the Music Center at Strathmore in Bethesda, Maryland. This venue served as one of six alternative locations the group secured after the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., locked its doors on Sept. 15.

The closure followed a legal dispute over adding President Donald Trump's name to the center's facade and a drop in ticket sales. Trump took control of the center in early 2025, firing board members and former president Deborah Rutter. The orchestra, which has performed in the Kennedy Center since 1971, now operates as a touring group while the complex awaits proposed renovations.

Music director Gianandrea Noseda called the closure unexpected. He said the news felt like a cold shower and forced him to ask what the group would do without a home. Noseda has led the Italian conductor's ensemble for nine years. He extended his contract until 2031 rather than leave after the leadership shakeup. He said leaving would have been too easy and viewed as a retreat by a leader.

The season announcement came in mid-August, only six weeks before the first performance. This delay happened because the orchestra waited for budget approval from the Kennedy Center Board of Trustees. Anne Midgette, a former classical music critic for The Washington Post, said she worried the orchestra might not exist because of its deep ties to the center. She described the opening night in Bethesda as bittersweet.

Financial pressures weigh heavily on the group. The Washington Post reported in August that ticket revenue is expected to fall by half. Donations are expected to drop by a quarter due to cuts in the development department. The orchestra is playing about half as many concerts as usual this season. Former executive director Jean Davidson left her position in March, citing the turmoil at the center.

Associate principal double bassist Rick Barber joined the NSO in 1995. He said the musicians felt stunned and anxious after the closure. He believes the group will continue and says he focuses only on the music during performances. Noseda hopes to reach new audiences in different cities to maintain the orchestra's identity.

The season in Bethesda ended with a performance of works by Respighi, Tchaikovsky, and Carlos Simon. The packed house showed support for the ensemble. Midgette called the season an acid test for audience interest. Symphonies across the country face similar financial struggles, with some groups closing. The NSO faces a difficult year with reduced staff and uncertain future venues.