The orchestra will debut local composer Henry Dehlinger’s “Cosmic Cycles,” a collaboration with NASA, in two performances this week.

Musician Jim Kelly will take over the organization as interim president.

Jim Kelly, longtime musician in the National Philharmonic and co-owner of Potter Violins, has a plan to revive the orchestra.

A steady decline in funding over eight years and increases in operating costs led to the decision to halt performances at Strathmore.

Last week’s battle of the orchestras may be eclipsed by this week’s. Besides the local symphonic ensembles, there are some visitors in the ring, too. The common theme is the piano concerti of Johannes Brahms, both of them disarmingly beautiful pieces, and here is how we call it. THE ORCHESTRAS >> The week starts strong with the Cleveland Orchestra on Monday (October 15, 8 p.m.) in the Kennedy Center Concert Hall. Washington Performing Arts Society…

Things are a little slow this week in classical music, because of Easter and all that. There are still a few good things to be heard, but the list is shorter than normal. Besides, it’s hard to tolerate being indoors when those trees are doing their whole pink thing. >> A concert we are going to have to miss is the most interesting of the week, a program by the 21st Century Consort called Games…

In last week’s Classical Music Agenda, we suggested that you attend a rare performance of Czech composer Hans Krása’s children’s opera Brundibár, performed by the talented children taking part in this summer’s Opera Camp for Kids with Washington National Opera. Well, this DCist heard the first performance of the work yesterday morning (see our review at Ionarts), and we must urge you once again to go and hear this opera if you can. There is…

We really wanted to title this Out and About: This Will Be Short Because We’re Tired From DCist Happy Hour Edition. But brevity is the soul of wit! FRIDAY: >> Drummer Cindy Blackman (who used to play for Lenny Kravitz), is bringing her jazz styling to the Blues Alley in Georgetown. >> The National Philharmonic plays the beloved season favorite, Handel’s Messiah, at the F. Scott Fitzgerald Theatre in Rockville. 8 p.m. Call 301-762-8580 for…