National Symphony Orchestra Begins Reduced Season in Bethesda
The ensemble shifted its opening concert to a temporary venue after the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts closed its doors in mid-September.
By Jack Weber ·
The 95-year-old National Symphony Orchestra opened its new season on Sept. 26 at the Music Center at Strathmore in Bethesda, Md., marking the first major performance away from its longtime home. Music director Gianandrea Noseda led the ensemble in a program featuring works by Carlos Simon, Tchaikovsky, and Respighi. The orchestra has performed at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., since the venue opened in 1971.
The relocation follows the closure of the Kennedy Center on Sept. 15. The shutdown occurred after months of declining ticket sales and legal disputes over the addition of President Donald Trump’s name to the building’s exterior. Trump assumed control of the center in early 2025, dismissing board members and former president Deborah Rutter. Noseda described the news of the closure as a cold shower, questioning what the orchestra would do without its primary venue.
The National Symphony Orchestra secured six alternative performance sites across the greater Washington region. The new season was announced in mid-August, a delay caused by the need for budget approval from the Kennedy Center Board of Trustees. This timeline provided only 11 days between the venue closure and the orchestra’s opening concert. Anne Midgette, former classical music critic for The Washington Post, noted that the situation created uncertainty regarding the existence of the orchestra itself.
Financial challenges accompany the logistical changes. The Washington Post reported in August that ticket revenue is projected to decline by half. Donations are expected to drop by a quarter, partly due to cuts in the Kennedy Center’s development department. The orchestra will perform approximately half the number of concerts compared to a typical season. Executive director Jean Davidson left her position in March, citing the turmoil at the center as the primary reason for her departure.
Noseda extended his contract with the orchestra through 2031 rather than seeking a new position. He stated that leaving would have been too easy and described his role as a leader who must serve the orchestra and the community. The Italian conductor aimed to reach new audiences in different locations. Associate principal double bassist Rick Barber, a member of the ensemble since 1995, said the musicians experienced anxiety after the closure but focused on the music during rehearsals.
The opening concert in Bethesda drew a full house. Midgette described the evening as bittersweet, noting the importance of seeing the major orchestra perform outside its traditional hall. She identified the season as a test of audience interest in symphony orchestras nationwide. Many ensembles face financial strain, with some recently closing. Midgette observed that rising costs for transportation and food make attendance more difficult for patrons.
The duration of the orchestra’s time away from the Kennedy Center remains uncertain. The proposed renovations of the arts complex are still under consideration. The National Symphony Orchestra continues its schedule at temporary venues while navigating the administrative and financial instability of its parent institution.
