Ben Folds Warns National Symphony Orchestra May Not Survive
Ben Folds, the former Artistic Advisor to the National Symphony Orchestra (NSO), has issued an urgent open letter warning that the nation’s symphony may not survive current financial and political turmoil. The appeal comes as the ensemble struggles to find stability following a period of intense volatility at the Kennedy Center.
Political Turmoil and Legal Battles
The crisis began in February 2025, when Folds resigned his position in response to Donald Trump taking over the Kennedy Center. By the end of that year, the historic performing arts establishment was renamed the Trump-Kennedy Center.
Following significant backlash, a federal judge recently ordered the removal of Trump’s name from the building and mandated the restoration of the center’s political independence. The ruling can be viewed via the US District Court.
An Institution at Risk
Folds emphasizes that while the physical building of the Kennedy Center will likely survive, the National Symphony Orchestra is in a far more precarious position. He notes that there is currently no plan or solution in sight to save the organization.
The NSO faces a combination of dwindling audiences, staff reductions and a previously announced two-year closure of the Kennedy Center, leaving the orchestra without a certain home.
the orchestra’s financial survival tools are compromised. The NSO’s endowment fund is currently tied to a bank note, entangling it in the broader legal and financial troubles of the Kennedy Center.
Calls for Systemic Reform
Folds is urging the public, donors, and journalists to provide an “outpouring of support” for the 96 talented musicians of the NSO. He argues that the loss of these musicians would be an irreplaceable blow to the nation’s cultural fabric.
To prevent future crises, Folds is calling on citizens to demand congressional safeguards that ensure the independence of federal arts institutions from political interference.
He specifically suggests that Congress and the Kennedy Center Board should require any future director of the center to have documented experience in arts administration to avoid the failures of “inept” leadership.
The Impact on Artists
Folds described the environment under the recent administration as “impossible,” noting that artists risked being used as political pawns. This atmosphere of harassment is further detailed in a Rolling Stone report.
While the National Opera chose to leave the Center, the NSO musicians remained, continuing to perform despite what Folds describes as “undignified partisan drama.”
Future Outlook
The recovery process is expected to be long and messy. While the court ruling to remove the Trump name is a positive step, the NSO may still face unemployment for its musicians if immediate support is not secured.
The organization’s survival could depend on the ability of donors to provide aid and the willingness of the public to signal their support through channels such as the @nso_musicians Instagram account.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the National Symphony Orchestra currently in danger?
The NSO is facing financial suffocation due to the presidential takeover of the Kennedy Center, a lack of announced programming, a two-year closure of its home venue, and an endowment fund tied to a bank note.
What did the federal judge rule regarding the Kennedy Center?
The judge ordered the removal of Donald Trump’s name from the building and ruled that the center’s political independence must be restored.
What specific reforms does Ben Folds propose for the Kennedy Center?
He proposes enforced independence for federal arts institutions from politics and a requirement that any future director of the Kennedy Center must have actual experience in arts administration.
Do you believe federal arts institutions should have legally enforced independence from political administration?