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1.0 Intro

2.0 History

3.0 Education, Outreach and Partnerships

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Baltimore Symphony Orchestra Wiki Information

The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra (BSO ) is a major American symphony orchestra based in Baltimore, Maryland.

BALTIMORE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA TICKETS

EVENT	DATE	AVAILABILITY
Baltimore Symphony Orchestra: Love Actually in Concert Tickets 12/6	Dec 06, 2024 Fri, 7:30 PM
Baltimore Symphony Orchestra: Nicholas McGegan - Spirt of the Season Tickets 12/7	Dec 07, 2024 Sat, 8:00 PM
Baltimore Symphony Orchestra: Nicholas McGegan - Bach, Corelli, & Vivaldi Tickets 12/8	Dec 08, 2024 Sun, 3:00 PM
Baltimore Symphony Orchestra: Cirque Nutcracker Tickets 12/13	Dec 13, 2024 Fri, 7:30 PM
Baltimore Symphony Orchestra: Cirque Nutcracker Tickets 12/14	Dec 14, 2024 Sat, 3:00 PM

Intro

The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra (BSO) is a major American orchestra.

The BSO made musical history in September 2007, when Maestra Marin Alsop led her inaugural concerts as the Orchestra’s 12th music director, making her the first woman to head a major American orchestra.

The BSO Board Chairman is Michael Bronfein and President & CEO Paul Meecham. Joining Maestra Alsop on the BSO conductor roster are Principal Pops Conductor Jack Everly, and BSO Music Director Emeritus Yuri Temirkanov, who led the BSO from 1999 to 2006 and is regarded as one of the most talented conductors of his generation.

History

Founded in 1916, the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra is the only major American orchestra originally established as a branch of the municipal government. Reorganized as a private institution in 1942, it maintains close relationships with the governments and communities of the city and surrounding counties, as well as with the state of Maryland.

The BSO's modern history dates from 1965, when Baltimore arts patron Joseph Meyerhoff became president of the symphony orchestra, a position he held for 18 years. Meyerhoff appointed Romanian-born conductor Sergiu Comissiona as music director; together, the philanthropist and the conductor ensured the creation of an artistic institution.

The BSO’s leadership includes Board Chairman Michael Bronfein and President & CEO Paul Meecham. Also on the BSO conductor roster are Principal Pops Conductor Jack Everly, noted for his creative pops programming, and BSO Music Director Emeritus Yuri Temirkanov, who led the BSO from 1999 to 2006 and is regarded as one of the most talented conductors of his generation.

Education, Outreach and Partnerships

For more than 80 years, the BSO has maintained an educational presence throughout Maryland, supporting the local community through concerts, recordings and radio programs, as well as education, outreach and mentorship programs.

In May 2008, the BSO unveiled a major education initiative, an after-school program designed to effect social change and nurture promising futures for youth in Baltimore City’s low-income neighborhoods. In collaboration with many community partners, the BSO’s program will provide music education, instruments and mentorship to Baltimore’s neediest youngsters. The first year will commence at Harriet Tubman Elementary School (HTES) in September 2008 with approximately 25 first graders.

The BSO performs approximately 30 education concerts and open rehearsals each year for more than 60,000 area students in pre-school through 12th grade. Major initiatives include BSO on the Go , a program which brings small groups of BSO musicians into schools for free and interactive music education workshops, and "Side by Side" concerts, which allow student musicians to rehearse and perform a full-length concert alongside BSO musicians. The BSO at Strathmore is actively involved in giving back to Montgomery County and the Greater Washington, D.C. area. The BSO also serves adult music lovers through audience education programs such as pre-concert lectures and post-concert discussions.

Within the classical field, since fall 2007, the BSO has partnered with the Peabody Institute and the League of American Orchestras to sponsor the BSO-Peabody Conducting Fellowship, a two-year, master's-level program which gives an aspiring young conductor the opportunity to study at Peabody and with Marin Alsop and the BSO.

In 2004, the BSO forged a joint venture with the Soulful Symphony, one of the nation's only African-American orchestras. Founded in 2000 by composer and artistic director Darin Atwater, Soulful Symphony is an exploration of diverse musical expressions: classical, jazz, gospel and popular forms capturing a universal language that gives all cultures common ground.

Broadcasts

XM Satellite Radio : Hosted by XM Classics 110 Program Director Martin Goldsmith, each program features a full-length BSO concert conducted by Marin Alsop, as well as exclusive behind-the-scenes interviews with Alsop and guest artists.

iTunes Clueless About Classical : Hosted by Marin Alsop, these podcasts take novice listeners behind-the-scenes with the BSO, exploring repertoire, composers, musical concepts and orchestra life.

NPR’s "Weekend Edition" with Scott Simon : Maestra Alsop is a regular guest with her segment "Marin Alsop on Music."

NPR's Performance Today : Concerts broadcast across the U.S.

American Public Media's SymphonyCast : Concerts broadcast across the U.S.

Tours

With the appointment of David Zinman as music director in 1985, the BSO's reputation spread internationally. In 1987, the Orchestra conducted a critically acclaimed concert tour of Europe and the Soviet Union. The BSO was the first American orchestra in 11 years to tour the Soviet Union after cultural relations were resumed at the end of the Afghanistan war.

The Baltimore Symphony first visited East Asia in 1994. A second tour took place in 1997 with violinist Isaac Stern as soloist. A 20-member trade delegation led by Maryland Lieutenant Governor Kathleen Kennedy Townsend accompanied the Orchestra to enhance exchange opportunities in the areas of business and economic development, higher education and trade. Subsequent tours were led by Yuri Temirkanov, to Europe in 2001, to Japan in 2002 and again to Europe in 2005.

Recordings

The Grammy Award-winning Baltimore Symphony Orchestra has achieved critical success for its prolific discography on such major labels as Argo/London, Telarc and Sony Classical, and with renowned artists including cellist Yo-Yo Ma, pianist Hélène Grimaud, and violinists Joshua Bell and Hilary Hahn.

2008: Antonín Dvorák’s Symphony No. 9 "From the New World" and Symphonic Variations, BSO and Marin Alsop, Naxos label

2007: John Corigliano's Concerto for Violin and Orchestra, "The Red Violin." Music Director Designate Marin Alsop, BSO, Violinist Joshua Bell, Sony/BMG Classical label

2007: Igor Stravinsky's The Rite of Spring, Marin Alsop, Peabody Symphony Orchestra, BSO, iTunes online distribution live-concert recording.

2000: Adolphus Hailstork’s I Will Lift Up Mine Eyes, Daniel Hege, BSO, Morgan State University Choir

1999: Leonard Bernstein's Serenade and Beethoven's Violin Concerto, David Zinman, BSO, Violinist Hilary Hahn, Sony Classical+

1997: Leonard Bernstein’s symphonic dance works, David Zinman, BSO, London

1997: George Gershwin and Maurice Ravel’s piano concertos, BSO, pianist Hélène Grimaud, Erato Disques

1997: Samuel Barber and William Walton’s violin concertos, David Zinman, BSO, violinist Joshua Bell, London+

1994: The New York Album, David Zinman, BSO, cellist Yo-Yo Ma*

1987: Barber and Britten, cello concertos David Zinman, BSO, cellistYo-Yo Ma, Sony Classical*

-Grammy award-winning

+-Grammy nominated

Concert Halls

The Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall has been the home of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra since its opening on September 16, 1982. Named for the late Baltimore philanthropist and former BSO president, Joseph Meyerhoff, the 2,443-seat hall has been hailed for its pristine acoustics and versatility. As one of the city's premier cultural venues, the Meyerhoff has played host to international classical stars such as cellist Yo-Yo Ma, violinist Joshua Bell and pianist Emanuel Ax, and popular performers including singer-songwriter Harry Connick, Jr., bluegrass singer Alison Krauss and comedian Jerry Seinfeld.

The Orchestra's second home is the 1,976-seat Music Center at Strathmore, located in North Bethesda, Maryland. With the opening of the Music Center at Strathmore in February 2005, the Baltimore Symphony became the nation's first orchestra with year-round venues in two metropolitan areas. As the founding partner and resident orchestra of the Music Center, the BSO presents 35 performances in the concert hall annually.