Musician Ben Folds, who served as artistic advisor to Orquestra Sinfônica Nacional’s Kennedy Center for almost ten years, warned about the group’s delicate situation. Ele left his position in February 2025, but remains in contact with colleagues who remain at the institution. The orchestra, one of the main ones of Estados Unidos, may not survive the current moment of instability.
The artist published an open letter detailing the challenges. The absence of announcements about the next season’s schedule raises concern. Outras orchestras have already released their schedules up to 18 months in advance. In the case of NSO, not even the presentation venue is guaranteed, given the renovation planned for Kennedy Center.
Ben Folds demands immediate support for musicians
Ben Folds’s letter highlights that the orchestra does not have a clear recovery plan at this time. The 96 musicians continue to work despite the difficulties. Team Reduções and drop in attendance complicate the scenario. Folds asks the public to show concrete support.
- Siga the official profile @nso_musicians on Instagram
- Comente and publicly share musicians’ work
- Envie direct messages of encouragement to artists
- Mantenha pressure on donors and congressmen
The musician highlights that professionals maintained political neutrality throughout the period. Eles continued to perform despite the adverse environment. The orchestra represents a cultural heritage that is not easily reconstructed.
Kennedy Center experiences turmoil since political interference
Kennedy Center’s management faces legal and financial questions. A recent federal court decision ordered the removal of President Trump’s name from the building and reinforced the institution’s political independence. Mesmo therefore, the normalization process should still take some time.
Ben Folds recalls that, during Trump’s first term, the center operated with relative stability. The situation changed after the politician returned to power. Artistas and audiences migrated to other spaces. The NSO became more exposed because musicians did not have the option of simply leaving their post.
Músicos seek visibility amid the crisis
The letter reinforces that the orchestra’s problem took a backseat to the debate over the name of the building. Jornalistas are called upon to cover the daily lives of musicians more frequently. Doadores are also encouraged to contact the institution to support the resumption.
Folds argues that the existence of a national symphony orchestra symbolizes civilizational values. The weakening of this type of institution sends a worrying signal to the cultural sector. Ele has already defended this idea on the stages of several orchestras in the country.
Futuro of the season yet to be defined
The lack of an official calendar prevents the orchestra from planning hiring, rehearsals and publicity. NSO’s endowment fund is linked to Kennedy Center’s financial matters. Essa connection further complicates the search for quick solutions.
Ben Folds ends the message by asking the public to show presence. The goal is to show musicians that they are not alone. The letter is circulating at a time when political debate still dominates discussions about the cultural center.
The artist avoided naming sides in the dispute. Ele claims that politicization has harmed both artists and audiences. The orchestra’s neutrality, according to him, deserves recognition and protection.