Ben Folds Named Artistic Advisor For Washington, DC's National Symphony Orchestra

Ben Folds: Joins NSO

Composer/musician BEN FOLDS has been named the first-ever Artistic Advisor for the NATIONAL SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA in WASHINGTON, DC,, a post he will retain through the 2019-2020 season.

FOLDS will perform, collaborate, and consult with the NSO across its varied offerings, ranging from classical to popular, youth, community, and contemporary culture programs. He will also curate NSO concerts and presentations that bring together musicians from all genres and styles of music to collaborate and create new experiences for audiences and performers alike. 

Said FOLDS, "I'm honored to serve in the new role with NSO. I'm excited about the possibilities - from music education to concerts - putting my favorite current musical artists together with our nation's capitol's symphony orchestra at the KENNEDY CENTER to make something new. I'm looking forward to taking this creative journey together. "

Commented NSO Director Of Artistic Planning NIGEL BOON, "We are delighted to welcome BEN FOLDS into the NSO's artistic family. Our incoming music director, GIANANDREA NOSEDA and our Principal Pops Conductor, STEVEN REINEKE, are both eager to work with BEN and find ways to collaborate that expand what our orchestra does and to redefine how it engages with our audiences. Having BEN's fresh perspective will enhance our offering and inspire us all to think more creatively about music and orchestras in the 21st century."

On JUNE 2nd and 3rd, FOLDS joins KENNEDY CENTER Artistic Advisor At Large, soprano RENEE FLEMMING in the KENNEDY CENTER's and NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF HEALTH's SOUND HEALTH concert and events, which explore the effects of music on the brain, specifically through performance and music therapy which FOLDS has championed for years.  He has also curated and will host/perform with the NSO on JUNE 30th in the final DECLASSIFIED performance of the current season, which features composer/producer/guitarist/singer BLAKE MILLS and CUBAN R&B/hip-hop artist DANAY SUAREZ. 

Over the coming seasons, Folds will help curate the NSO's DECLASSIFIED events which, beginning in 2017-2018, will feature two styles of program: a continuation of DECLASSIFIED concerts that offer shorter performances of classical repertoire; and the new DECLASSIFIED: BEN FOLDS PRESENTS  concerts,  at which FOLDS will merge artists from multiple genres with the NSO to create unique live music experiences.  

FOLDS will also curate the NSO's YOUNG PEOPLE CONCERTS and accompany FAMILY CONCERTS, a reimagining of LEONARD BERNSTEIN's famous series as part of the celebration of BERNSTEIN's centennial in 2017-2018. In future seasons, he will lend his talent as a mentor to young musicians through the NSO's education programs with future plans to compose new works for young musicians and ensembles as well as to engage further with the D.C. community through participation in the NSO's annual IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD events.

FOLDS' involvement with the NSO and KENNEDY CENTER began several years ago when he participated in a master class segment and performed as part of AMERICAN VOICES in the NSO's first-ever DECLASSIFIED concert in 2015, and, most recently, performed his piano concerto as part of BALLET ACROSS AMERICA. 

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