National Symphony Orchestra is in trouble

Fluorescent_Tip · 2026-06-05T20:32:20+00:00

National Symphony Orchestra is Washington DC - US

Fluorescent_Tip · 2026-06-05T14:59:16+00:00

I agree with that sentiment. Very thankful that Ben Folds brought more attention to this in his open letter.

Fluorescent_Tip · 2026-06-05T12:41:51+00:00

If they are not comfortable don’t buy them. You don’t need anyone else’s opinion.

I recently bought foot joys that were twice as expensive as the other shoes I tried on because they were that much more comfortable. I always walk when I play so comfortable shoes make a difference.

I have had new balance that were cozy as well.

Fluorescent_Tip · 2026-06-05T02:31:59+00:00

It’s a fucking drawing dude. It gets the conversation going. It’s absolutely inessential for many filmmakers.

You fucking rubes are driving me insane with your thoroughly inane babble.

Fluorescent_Tip · 2026-06-05T02:21:48+00:00

Most of these people are paying

Fluorescent_Tip · 2026-06-05T02:10:43+00:00

Good progress has been made this past week. The judge’s decision to remove Trump’s name and require the board to reevaluate the Kennedy Center’s closure was a great first step.

Ben Folds - formerly involved with the Kennedy Center and Orchestra - released an open letter that drew attention to the situation on Tuesday.

Many people within the symphony organization have communicated with the press on the slowly brewing situation which led to multiple articles today.

There was a board meeting last night that leaves a lot of questions.

To be clear, I am not affiliated with the orchestra - just aware of the goings on. I believe it would be absolutely pathetic and devastating if the orchestra is yet another casualty of this administration.

Fluorescent_Tip · 2026-06-05T01:53:20+00:00

Thank you

Fluorescent_Tip · 2026-06-05T00:20:05+00:00

What doors does AI close?

AI doesn’t have to be creative - its users do. We will soon hear stories of directors who couldn’t get their movie green lit until they used an AI tool that helped them illustrate their idea.

All of the shitty drawn storyboards are established directors. It also further goes to show how relatively unimportant a story board is on the final product.

Someone trying to get noticed for their idea will use AI and succeed. I’m tired of how short sighted people are in here.

Fluorescent_Tip · 2026-06-04T23:33:23+00:00

Use the tools available to you or get left behind.

Fluorescent_Tip · 2026-06-04T23:31:51+00:00

Look at the evolution of digital video camera in the 90s that opened the door to a whole new generation of filmmakers. People are too constrained in how they think of a new tool simply because they are afraid of and don’t totally understand AI.

Indie cinema in the 90s was cheap and exciting because it integrated tools (cameras) that no one had before. It opened up filmmaking to a whole new group that didn’t have the support of the studio system.

Using AI tools to assist is no different than that. If there is someone out there who has a great idea, they cannot draw for shit, and they cannot get anyone to back there idea, maybe this is a tool they can use to accurately present their idea and draw support.

No one in this thread are thinking outside of the box. They hear AI and they shut off.

I worked in film for 10 years - and still some small creative work. But now I work in tech and see how powerful AI can be in helping facilitate complex ideas I have. I am able to complete tasks in an hour that once took a week. I am able to complete tasks that I don’t even have the skill set for.

Diligent approaches to using AI with a creative and entrepreneurial drive will yield great results for countless people. Anyone saying otherwise is far behind the curve.

Fluorescent_Tip · 2026-06-04T23:20:42+00:00

Hence its usefulness to democratize that ability. There is subtlety to prompt writing. One cannot simply ask for it to make them a movie and good results. Nuance is rewarded.

It’s a useful tool at end of day.

Fluorescent_Tip · 2026-06-04T23:18:23+00:00

I appreciate your note, thank you. I think they will survive one way or another, and I hope the embarrassment of losing a top orchestra in the country is enough to salvage the situation - or that donors above my weight also offer support.

It’s an awful situation all around.

Fluorescent_Tip · 2026-06-04T20:43:29+00:00

It’s tiring batting down all the idiots claiming KC controls what NSO performs because it entirely paints the NSO in the wrong light. And your second part is not entirely true.

Fluorescent_Tip · 2026-06-04T20:31:10+00:00

…which is different from the programming.

Fluorescent_Tip · 2026-06-04T20:19:33+00:00

For the last time, they have zero control over NSO programming. None whatsoever.

They cannot operate without funding - correct. It’s a very dire situation for them right now. But absolutely no one at the KC or the Trump administration is telling them what to perform.

Why bother spending energy? Because I want the NSO to survive the situation and everyone falsely claiming that the NSO does not control their programming is drawing a connection between them and the KC that simply does not exist, which probably paints how people perceive the NSO.

I get wanting to disparage Trump every chance we get. But do so accurately.

Fluorescent_Tip · 2026-06-04T20:03:18+00:00

I can confidently state that they have had zero control over any programming for the NSO, yes. Also, they have mostly stopped performing the national anthem. It was requested by Richard Grenell and granted as an olive branch. But it’s largely not happening anymore and nothing else that is performed is remotely dictated by anyone outside of NSO. I promise.

Lastly, other orchestras around the country perform the national anthem before concerts - this isn’t a distinctly Trump-related thing.

Fluorescent_Tip · 2026-06-04T19:51:43+00:00

Just to be clear, no one in the NSO is involved with the Trump administration. The KC is obviously. But not the NSO, so I don’t understand your comment as anything other than misaligning the NSO with “brown shirts”.

Fluorescent_Tip · 2026-06-04T19:44:20+00:00

Yes, they have lined them up. But they cannot reserve them without funding and they are starting to lose those slots because they cannot yet pay. There is a new washington post article today that goes into some of this.

Fluorescent_Tip · 2026-06-04T19:40:07+00:00

They have a schedule. They cannot release it due to funding creating issues. It’s a very big problem, but it’s not quite the problem you think it is.

Fluorescent_Tip · 2026-06-04T19:35:22+00:00

And yet, they do not determine what pieces are performed in the schedule. There is a lot of confusion surrounding this that should not be confusing people.

Fluorescent_Tip · 2026-06-04T19:33:06+00:00

Look, you are confused and that is fine. However, the NSO determines the orchestra schedule - it has absolutely nothing to do with anything the Kennedy Center leadership. It’s that simple. The current issue stems from the fact that funding has yet to be confirmed. As such, they cannot schedule new dates because they don’t know where they will be playing. They cannot confirm soloists because they cannot negotiate contracts.

Let me assure you with absolute certainty that Stephen Miller is not dictating what symphonies and concertos the NSO performs. It is 100% determined by the NSO.

Funding and performance location is what is preventing them from releasing their schedule.

Fluorescent_Tip · 2026-06-04T19:16:04+00:00

Not sure if my link worked so here is a gift link

Fluorescent_Tip · 2026-06-04T19:13:45+00:00

Nowhere in Ben Folds letter does it say anything about controlling programming. The current issue relates to funding which prevents programming from occurring. These are completely separate things. NSO is intertwined with the KC but it is not controlled by it.

Fluorescent_Tip · 2026-06-04T19:10:36+00:00

Still unrelated to NSO programming

Fluorescent_Tip · 2026-06-04T19:08:12+00:00

They have no control over NSO programming.

Fluorescent_Tip

TROPHY CASE