SCOOP: Kennedy Center celebrates historic success of its annual Gala benefiting the NSO
The Kennedy Center made fundraising history at the annual Gala benefiting the National Symphony Orchestra.
The Kennedy Center blew past its latest milestone of success under the leadership of President Donald Trump and Ambassador Richard Grenell, raising more money than ever before at this year’s Gala benefiting the National Symphony Orchestra (NSO).
Almost 500 attendees flocked to the prestigious arts center for its annual gala, which raised $3.45 million for NSO performances, education, and community engagement initiatives; the historic sum is almost one million dollars more than New York’s Philharmonic raised earlier the same week.
“The NSO Gala had a record-breaking fundraiser and more than 50 percent of the attendees were brand new,” Grenell — the President of the Kennedy Center — told the Washington Reporter. “The energy was undeniable and the Kennedy Center staff is energized because of it.”
Roma Daravi, the Kennedy Center’s vice president of public relations, told the Reporter the secret to the fundraising success: “we’re inviting new people into the building who have not felt welcomed before,” she said. “New donors, new supporters….Half the Gala’s donors were new, fundraising records were shattered, and patrons were inspired by the concert.”
That energy was evident from the moment the evening kicked off, with a red carpet that featured stars ranging from Kevin O’Leary — Mr. Wonderful himself — to Miss America Cassie Donegan, concert pianist Yuja Wang, Fox anchor Maria Bartiromo, Alexa Henning, Lexi Hamel, Attorney General Pam Bondi, Cal Ripken, Jr., Secretary Chris Wright, Secretary Howard Lutnick, Sen. Deb Fischer (R., Neb.), Reps. Mike Turner (R., Ohio), Rick Larsen (D., Wash.), Julia Letlow (R., La.), and many more.
The show itself featured pianist Yuja Wang in Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No. 1, as well as American voices, highlighted by Aaron Copland’s Fanfare for the Common Man and Carlos Simon’s Warmth from Other Suns, as well as a moving meditation on the Great Migration.
Following the concert, Gianandrea Noseda — the Music Director of the NSO — said that it was “a highlight of my year to open the 95th season of the National Symphony Orchestra last night which also marked the beginning of my ninth season as Music Director.”
“Seeing the full hall with our dedicated audience and donors gave the artists of the National Symphony Orchestra and me confidence in our future,” Noseda said. “We are thankful to both our audience and donors for the historic level of support and look forward to welcoming everyone to the Concert Hall at the Kennedy Center this season.”
Attendees of the show told the Reporter that, whether it was their first time at the Kennedy Center or whether they are longtime visitors, the show was “captivating” and made them excited for the future of the center.
“I’m fortunate that my first time at the National Symphony Orchestra was the celebration of their 95th anniversary,” one said. “Every musician onstage was clearly passionate about their craft, and the audience frequently gave standing ovations. After this experience, I’m eager to attend more events at the Kennedy Center…it was clear that the Kennedy Center’s new leadership is moving the organization in the right direction.”
“It was captivating,” Hamel told the Reporter. “I’ve never seen anything like them playing — to see them in unison was incredible. I would go again and I recommend that everyone else go!”