Originally published October 1, 2024
Originally written in response to NSO strike of 2024, still relevant in why it is important as audience members to support the Musicians of the Kennedy Center.
Regarding the Sept. 24 Style article “Musicians with NSO authorize strike”:
The public should know that after this strike authorization vote, the Kennedy Center leaders went on social media to justify their efforts to lowball the musicians of the National Symphony Orchestra in contract negotiations.
One talking point suggested that the world-class musicians in the National Symphony work only 20 hours a week and are lucky to have their current salaries.
Anyone who has been in band or learned how to play an instrument knows that mastering a classical musical instrument not only requires many years of rigorous training, highly competitive auditions, costly lessons and instrument purchases but also requires constant practice and both physical and mental preparation for the 20 hours of public-facing rehearsals and performances. This also doesn’t account for the time that professional musicians have to maintain their instruments and, in some cases, to make their own reeds, or to stay in the shape required to play physically and mentally demanding orchestral works.
The musicians of the National Symphony are not asking for compensation that is out of line with what other musicians at their level earn. And given that the Kennedy Center’s mission is to serve as the nation’s premier performing arts center, its leaders should aim to make the symphony a competitive employer, rather than risk musicians decamping for a different city that chooses to support the arts more generously.
Meanwhile, Kennedy Center President Deborah Rutter makes almost $1.4 million. Perhaps, because her salary is more than eight times the current base salary for NSO musicians, she can get onstage and play a woodwind quintet (bassoon, oboe, flute, clarinet and French horn) all at the same time.
Without the musicians in the National Symphony, the Kennedy Center would be an empty building. It is time for Kennedy Center management to pay the musicians who give it a reason for being.
Luke Hall, Baltimore
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