Former National Symphony Orchestra artistic advisor warns NSO might not survive Kennedy Center chaos

Grammy-nominated rock pianist Ben Folds, who previously served as the National Symphony Orchestra artistic advisor, warned classical music fans Tuesday that the NSO might not survive the recent changes at the Kennedy Center. Folds sent the warning in an open letter on social media where he claimed that recent changes at the center, including its upcoming two-year closure, have left the orchestra without a home after the summer and only a handful of events are planned through June.
“Our National Symphony Orchestra is in real trouble — it may not survive,” Folds wrote in the letter on Instagram. “There’s no plan or solution in sight to save the organization.”
Folds urged orchestra fans to write to members of Congress to share their concerns about the future of the NSO and demand safeguards against political interference in the performing arts, stating they can “turn the tide with overwhelming support.”
The warning comes after President Donald Trump made multiple changes to the historic performing arts venue in his second term, including sacking its previous board and appointing Ric Grennell to oversee a complete revamp of its performance lineup. The new board also voted to add Trump’s name to the building, which a judge blocked last week.
Folds claimed Congress and the board need to “create guidelines requiring any future director of the Kennedy Center have actual experience in arts administration,” noting a reported decrease in attendance at the venue and the cancellation of some performances. 
“We can see now what happens when an inept director who doesn’t know this business and spends time attacking people and artists who displease him or the President,” Folds wrote. “Audiences go elsewhere. So much for running the Kennedy Center like it was any other commercial venue.”
The NSO currently has events scheduled at the Kennedy Center for the remainder of the month and will then continue at the Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts in Vienna, Virginia, through September.
Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage. 

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