Did you know that singer-songwriter Ben Folds has been an artistic advisor of the National Symphony Orchestra for the last eight years? Well he has, but not anymore, as the “Brick” hitmaker has quit the position after president Donald Trump fired John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts president Deborah F. Rutter, installed Ric Grenell as interim president, and made himself Chairman of the Board of the arts institution.
“Given developments at the Kennedy Center, effective today I am resigning as artistic advisor to the NSO. Not for me,” Ben wrote in a statement on Wednesday. “It’s been a wonderful 8 years working with Kennedy Center President Deb Rutter, fellow artistic advisor Renee Fleming, and the entire NSO staff, encouraging thousands of fresh new audiences to appreciate symphonic music. Mostly, and above all, I will miss the musicians of our nation’s symphony orchestra – just the best!”
Ben’s not the only one. Shonda Rhimes, creator of such TV shows as Grey’s Anatomy and Scandal, has resigned from her position as Kennedy Center treasurer.
Donald Trump officially became president of the Kennedy Center today, having fired all of President Biden’s appointees. His statement on his own Truth Social: “President Donald J. Trump was just unanimously elected Chairman of the Board of the prestigious Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. The President stated, ‘It is a Great Honor to be Chairman of The Kennedy Center, especially with this amazing Board of Trustees. We will make The Kennedy Center a very special and exciting place!'”
Renee Fleming, the opera singer who was also an artistic advisor to the Kennedy Center, is now artistic development advisor for the DC area’s Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts.