The National Symphony Orchestra (NSO) is going on the road this season while the Kennedy Center is still closed.
The orchestra is performing three shows, starting on Thursday, at Northern Virginia Community College.
Symphony conductor Leonard Slatkin, who led the orchestra from 1996 to 2008, is making a guest appearance with his old colleagues.
“It’s a little bit awkward for people. I know it is for the orchestra. Nobody really knows what’s going to happen,” Slatkin said.
The center closed last month, citing safety concerns. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick posted a video of a partial ceiling collapse. However, the National Symphony Orchestra continues to practice there.
News4’s Aimee Cho asked Slatkin if he feels safe going into the center. “Safe physically? Yes. Emotionally, it’s difficult because you don’t know from day to day if that’s where you’re going to be eventually. We don’t know if there will be a Kennedy Center,” Slatkin responded. “The opera company left. The Performing Arts Society, they left. There’s very little going on.”
The temporary closure was needed for imminent life safety risks, is being evaluated on a weekly basis and is separate from the board vote to close for renovation, according to a statement sent from the Kennedy Center to News4.
The center also said the concert hall is still open to staff and NSO musicians. They have to walk there on safe paths designated by facilities and management, and wear PPE in restricted areas.
Last month, President Trump was seen holding plans that appeared to say “Kennedy Center Demo.” He’s also pushed to have his name added back to the building’s facade.
“I think the Trump administration should certainly have recognition. Because frankly, if we don’t do that, it’s going to close, it’ll end up being ripped down, it’s in very very bad shape, very dangerous shape,” Trump said.
Even though the National Symphony Orchestra is performing at different venues this season, the Kennedy Center is still the one selling the tickets.
“I’m told it’s a little on the light side, because they were only able to announce their season just a bit over six or seven weeks ago,” Slatkin said of ticket sales. “So, nobody knew not only what they were going to play, they didn’t know where they were going to play. It takes a while to build up new audiences.”
The National Symphony Orchestra will also play shows this season at the Music Center at Strathmore, George Mason University and the University of Maryland.
