The National Symphony Orchestra is now beginning every performance with the national anthem, a clear sign of the increasing influence President Trump is exerting over the Kennedy Center, the orchestra’s prestigious home.
This new mandate was introduced by Richard Grenell, previously the ambassador to Germany, who was appointed as the center’s president by Trump. This appointment followed Trump’s self-declaration as chairman, a move that saw 18 members, originally appointed by former President Joseph R. Biden Jr., removed from the center’s previously bipartisan board.
“The National Symphony should be playing the national anthem,” stated Grenell in an interview with Fox News Digital, which was the first to break the news of this policy change.
Historically, much like other leading American orchestras and opera companies, the symphony would perform “The Star-Spangled Banner” exclusively at the commencement of its seasons. This tradition was upheld once more on September 27th, marking the start of its 95th season with compositions from Tchaikovsky, Copland, and Dvorak.
Jean Davidson, the orchestra’s executive director, explained the expansion of the policy: “The audience’s powerful reaction to the anthem at our season opener inspired us to consider performing it at every concert. As the orchestra of the nation’s capital, and with our nation’s 250th anniversary approaching, it felt like a natural progression.”
This decision aligns with the president’s focus on promoting ‘patriotic history’ as the nation anticipates the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. While the National Symphony is the most prominent orchestra to adopt this daily anthem performance, it isn’t alone. The Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra, for instance, also plays “The Star-Spangled Banner” at every performance, a practice initiated by its board chairman, philanthropist Mercedes T. Bass.
Keith Cerny, president of the Fort Worth Symphony, noted that Bass believes the anthem fosters a celebratory ambiance for each show and positively showcases the symphony. He added, “This is a deeply patriotic community. Discontinuing this tradition would undoubtedly disappoint many of our patrons.”
Similarly, the Oklahoma City Philharmonic maintains a tradition of performing the anthem, a factor so crucial that it was part of their 2016 search for a new music director. Brent Hart, the orchestra’s executive director, recounted, “We asked candidates a series of questions, and ‘Will you continue playing the national anthem?’ was essentially a job prerequisite.”
This tradition is widely embraced there, with Hart observing, “Everyone stands and participates. It’s a cherished part of our concerts.”
The Los Angeles Philharmonic also incorporates the anthem into its summer Hollywood Bowl concerts, a century-old custom that has audiences rising to their feet at the very first drumroll. This policy was established by Artie Mason Carter, one of the Bowl’s original founders.
Leah Price, the L.A. Phil’s director of public relations, explained that Carter envisioned the Bowl as a unifying sanctuary for Los Angeles’s diverse migrant and immigrant populations, where the anthem served to strengthen a shared American identity. However, this performance is limited to the Bowl during summer, and not part of their regular seasons at the Walt Disney Concert Hall.
Nationwide, the approach to playing the national anthem at classical music events remains varied, a stark contrast to its ubiquitous presence at, for example, baseball games.
Davidson mentioned that the National Symphony plans to explore diverse arrangements of the anthem. “We’re looking to have some creative fun with it,” she stated. “Perhaps a version featuring only our trumpets.”
One notable new rendition slated for performance is Igor Stravinsky’s distinctive 1941 arrangement.
When Stravinsky himself conducted his arrangement with the Boston Symphony Orchestra in 1944, The New York Times reported that its “odd, somewhat dissonant harmonies” surprised the audience. The Times later noted that the Boston Police had cautioned the composer about a potential $100 fine under Massachusetts law for his rendition, though no official action was pursued.
Despite initial controversy, that particular arrangement has not only endured but is now widely esteemed.
Even amidst today’s divisive political climate, much of which has manifested at the Kennedy Center, Davidson believes that playing the national anthem will foster a sense of unity among concert attendees, regardless of their political leanings.
“The national anthem is universally noncontroversial, irrespective of one’s political background,” she affirmed. “I believe it resonates deeply with everyone.”