Wow, being a musician (woodwinds) I guess that’s the reason I have issue the the whole thing. Why risk playing very delicate, very rare string instruments in the cold in the first place? If you shouldn’t play a rare cello in the cold, why even risk having it outside. Did they think global warming would shine on DC for the day and it wouldn’t be cold, in January? Didn’t matter because the Obama Administration is just like the man himself. All show and no substance!
I’d wager their backup instruments were on stage. Being just a lowly local musician (at least we write our own stuff), I carry backup instruments to every gig. I’m usually thinking about strings breaking, but having played an outdoor gig in the spring, and our noon slot saw the thermomter not yet at 60 degrees, the Gibson mando stayed in the case and I played the Tacoma instead.