CreatripTeam

The National Symphony Orchestra (NSO) has begun starting every concert with the U.S. national anthem, The Star-Spangled Banner, following orders from Richard Grenell, the Kennedy Center director appointed by President Trump. Traditionally, many U.S. orchestras only performed the anthem at season-opening concerts, but the NSO’s change aligns with Grenell’s view that the orchestra should play the national anthem at all performances. Practices vary nationwide—some ensembles like the Fort Worth Symphony and Oklahoma City Philharmonic already play the anthem at every concert, while the Los Angeles Philharmonic reserves it for its historic Hollywood Bowl summer shows. The move comes amid the Trump administration’s emphasis on patriotic history during preparations for next year’s Independence Day commemoration. (Kennedy Center: the major performing arts venue in Washington, D.C.; The Star-Spangled Banner: the U.S. national anthem)