The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra Prepares for
a Jam-Packed Summer Season

The return of Star-Spangled Spectacular, Music for Maryland Tour,
and other new and returning programs lead the BSO’s summer offerings

(May 4, 2023) – Today, with the support of Maryland Governor Wes Moore and First Lady Dawn Flythe Moore, Baltimore Mayor Brandon M. Scott, Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski, Jr., and Howard County Executive Calvin Ball, the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra (BSO) is excited to announce details of its summer schedule. The summer programs will see the return of the Star-Spangled Spectacular, Music for Maryland Tour, Films with Orchestra, special performances, and educational events, and conclude with a special Donor Appreciation Concert led by incoming Music Director, Jonathon Heyward.

The BSO’s annual Star-Spangled Spectacular concerts kick off the summer with a return to Oregon Ridge (July 3), Rash Field (July 4), and Boordy Vineyards (July 6). Across all venues, the program will celebrate originality and independence through patriotic favorites and high-spirited classics by George Gershwin, Leonard Bernstein, Aaron Copland, and John Williams. BSO Artistic Partner and hip-hop spoken word artist Wordsmith also joins the Orchestra with a new take on his “Made in America.” The BSO’s Rash Field concert is presented in collaboration with the Waterfront Partnership and in partnership with the City of Baltimore. Please note there will not be a fireworks display during the Boordy Vineyards performance.

Launched in Summer 2022, the Music for Maryland Tour showcases the Orchestra across the state’s 23 counties and Baltimore City, visiting each jurisdiction over three summers. Last year, the Music for Maryland Tour saw thousands of audience members experience the Baltimore Symphony, many for the very first time. Now approaching its second season, the BSO is honored to receive a $500,000 appropriation in the State's FY2024 operating budget to underwrite this statewide touring initiative. With generous support from Governor Moore, Senate President William “Bill” Ferguson, Speaker Adrienne Jones, Senator Guy Guzzone and Delegate Benjamin Barnes, and members of the Maryland General Assembly, the BSO is excited to create new opportunities to make quality symphonic music accessible to more Marylanders. Between July and August, the Orchestra will make stops in eight counties, including Harford, Cecil, Carroll, Frederick, Allegany, Queen Anne’s, St. Mary’s, and Garrett. A multi-year initiative grounded in partnerships, the 2023 tour venues feature many of Maryland’s public high schools, colleges, and universities.

 “Music has the power to elevate, educate, move, and create change,” said Governor Wes Moore. “Dawn and I are thrilled to serve as Honorary Chairs of the BSO 2023-24 Gala to support the work of the BSO team to bring music to our communities. And by helping to fund the Music for Maryland Tour, we will bring art and inspiration to every part of our state.”

 In addition to full orchestra concerts, Music for Maryland brings free programs performed by BSO musician ensembles specifically curated for young listeners and families to several counties across the State. The PNC Foundation is also renewing its role as a Supporting Sponsor of the Music for Maryland Tour. Together with the leading support of the State and PNC, the BSO can ensure Music for Maryland programs are accessible to all, including free and accessible pricing.

 When not on the road, the BSO will also present a series of family-friendly concerts, in Baltimore City and at the Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall. Concerts include the sixth installment of the series, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince™ In Concert (July 15 and 16) featuring the full-length film with the score played by the Orchestra. Showcasing the Orchestra’s musical dexterity, The Music of Whitney Houston (July 14) is a unique program highlighting the superstar’s iconic music.  The BSO will also present a special concert in celebration of Hip-Hop’s 50^th Anniversary (August 11).

Additionally, there will be an exciting lineup of non-orchestral events. Early highlights include a special presentation curated in partnership with Mindgrub Technologies, AI in “A Minor,” featuring interactive lobby exhibits, a musical performance, and a thought-provoking panel discussion by a leading group of technologists and creatives on AI’s impact on the future of artistic expression (August 9).

"The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra is a staple in our city, and I am grateful for its leadership's ongoing commitment to providing quality concerts and programming to Baltimore," said Mayor Brandon M. Scott. "We want all of our visitors and residents to experience the culture and magic that the Orchestra brings both within and outside of the notable Meyerhoff Symphony Hall, and the BSO's summer season lineup is the perfect opportunity for all to engage in and support our local arts and culture scene."

The BSO excitedly extends its free Symphony in the City, a community concert series, into the summer in partnership with The Urban Oasis, an organization helping to transform West Baltimore. On Thursday, August 3, the BSO kicks off Urban Oasis’s Summer Sounds four-week concert series with a performance under the baton of Nicholas Hersh. Still this spring, Symphony in the City makes its return to beloved city landmarks with an evening of chamber music, a brilliant program of brass favorites from Baroque to swing, coming to Patterson Park (May 12) in partnership with The Friends of Patterson Park. Funding and support from BG&E make the Symphony in the City series possible.

The BSO Academy also makes it return this year, bringing together passionate adult amateur instrumental musicians from all over the United States and the world, for a once-in-a-lifetime experience with the Baltimore Symphony. During Academy’s 11^th year, Academy participants will play side-by-side with the BSO in rehearsals and performances, and experience musical enrichment classes, lectures, chamber music coaching sessions, sectionals, and other special events led by BSO musicians and experts in the field. The BSO is pleased to showcase this industry-leading program by opening the culminating Academy concert at the Meyerhoff (July 1) to the community at no charge.

The final Meyerhoff concert in August features Music Director Designate Jonathon Heyward in a tribute to the generous supporters and sponsors who keep the BSO going strong. Tchaikovsky’s fantasy on Romeo and Juliet uses the grandeur of the Orchestra to frame the overpowering emotions of this timeless love story. Effervescent music by Lili Boulanger showcases this precocious French composer who might have been the next Debussy had she lived past 24. A playful suite from Samuel Coleridge-Taylor proves why this British composer of African ancestry has been experiencing a long-overdue renaissance. The Donor Appreciation Concert is open to all members who make a qualifying donation of $75; make your gift and reserve your seat today.

Closing out the summer in September, the BSO presents Rocky in Concert, with the Orchestra performing the iconic score to accompany the full-length film, at Merriweather Arts and Culture Center (September 13) and, in a fitting tribute to Philadelphia’s favorite boxer, at The Mann Center for the Performing Arts (September 14).

“Once again, the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra is excited about hitting the road for our annual Music for Maryland Tour, ongoing Symphony in the City series, and cherished summer traditions like Star-Spangled Spectacular,” said BSO President and CEO, Mark C. Hanson. “As evidenced in the recent announcement of our 2023-24 Season – Music Director – Jonathon Heyward’s inaugural season, the BSO is committed to inspiring audiences of all ages through a wide-variety of symphonic experiences inside and outside of the concert hall. The Baltimore Symphony’s variety of summer programs offered at the Meyerhoff and throughout the state is an invitation to all Marylanders, and we can’t wait to interact with longtime and new fans!  We are grateful for our elected officials, partners, musicians, and staff who help us carry out this vision each and every day.”

The summer’s variety of programming and inclusion of venues – statewide – is a precursor to what patrons can expect from the BSO’s 2023-24 Season. For the first time, the season will open with three performances as part of the annual Gala concerts (September 22-24) with Governor Wes Moore and First Lady, Dawn Flythe Moore serving as Honorary Chairs. Under the baton of Jonathon Heyward in his Music Director debut, the BSO will, alongside the Dance Theatre of Harlem, present an evening of music and ballet at The Music Center at Strathmore and the Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall. On Sunday afternoon, September 24, the BSO is excited to partner with the Mayor’s Office and the Baltimore Office of Promotion and the Arts as part of Artscape, opening the Meyerhoff as a Hall for All in a free community concert. For tickets, VIP packages, and sponsorship information, visit www.bsomusic.org/gala. Please note that more information, including ticketing for the Sunday Artscape performance will be announced in the near future.

Star-Spangled Spectacular, Meyerhoff, Merriweather, and the Mann Center for the Performing Arts programs are on sale. Music for Maryland Tour reservations are “Pay What You Wish” in some locations, with a suggested donation of $10 per ticket helping to underwrite the BSO’s efforts to bring music to all Marylanders. Explore the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra’s full summer lineup and Music for Maryland Tour tickets (on sale by 6/1) at www.bsomusic.org/summer.

The BSO Academy
Saturday, July 1, 7 PM Meyerhoff
Nicholas Hersh, conductor

Star-Spangled Spectacular  
Monday, July 3, 8 PM Oregon Ridge
Tuesday, July 4, 8 PM Rash Field
Thursday, July 6, 7:30 PM Boordy Vineyards
Sameer Patel, conductor 
Wordsmith, narrator

Music For Maryland
Supporting Sponsor: PNC Bank Charitable Foundation

Harford County
Saturday, July 8, 7:30 PM APGFCU Arena, Harford Community College
Sameer Patel, conductor 
Wordsmith, narrator

The Music of Whitney Houston
Friday, July 14, 7:30 PM Meyerhoff
Amanda Cole, Vocalist

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince™ In Concert
Saturday, July 15, 7:30 PM Meyerhoff
Sunday, July 16, 3 PM Meyerhoff

Music For Maryland
Supporting Sponsor: PNC Bank Charitable Foundation

Cecil County 
Friday, July 21, 7:30 PM Elkton High School
Jonathan Rush, conductor 
Jaewon Kim, clarinet 
Vitor Trindade, clarinet

Carroll County 
Saturday, July 22, 7:30 PM Winters Mill High School
Jonathan Rush, conductor 
Jaewon Kim, clarinet 
Vitor Trindade, clarinet

Frederick County 
Sunday, July 23, 3 PM Weinberg Center for the Arts
Jonathan Rush, conductor 
Jaewon Kim, clarinet 
Vitor Trindade, clarinet

Allegany County 
Thursday, July 27, 7:30 PM Frostburg State University
Daniel Bartholomew-Poyser, conductor
Chelsea Kim, violin

Queen Anne’s County 
Saturday, July 29, 7:30 PM Todd Performing Arts Center, Chesapeake College
Daniel Bartholomew-Poyser, conductor
Chelsea Kim, violin

Symphony in the City at The Urban Oasis
Presenting Sponsor: BGE
Thursday, August 3, 6 PM Urban Oasis
Nicholas Hersh, Conductor

Music For Maryland
Supporting Sponsor: PNC Bank Charitable Foundation

St. Mary’s County 
Saturday, August 5, 3 PM Dodge Performing Arts Center, St. Mary’s College
Nicholas Hersh, conductor 
Lachezar Kostov, cello

Garrett County 
Sunday, August 6, 4 PM Garrett County Performing Arts Center
Nicholas Hersh, conductor 
Lachezar Kostov, cello

Mindgrub and the BSO Present: AI in “A Minor”
Wednesday, August 9, 7 pm Meyerhoff 

50^th Anniversary of Hip-Hop Celebration
Friday, August 11, 7:30 PM Meyerhoff

Donor Appreciation Concert 
Saturday, August 12, 7 PM Meyerhoff
Jonathon Heyward, conductor

Rocky in Concert
Wednesday, September 13, 7 pm Merriweather Arts and Culture Center
Thursday, September 14, 7:30 pm The Mann Center for the Performing Arts

About the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra

For over a century, the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra (BSO) has been recognized as one of America’s leading orchestras and one of Maryland’s most significant cultural institutions. The orchestra is internationally renowned and locally admired for its innovation, performances, recordings, and educational outreach initiatives including OrchKids.

The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra performs annually for more than 275,000 people throughout the State of Maryland. Since 1982, the BSO has performed at the Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall in Baltimore, and since 2005, with the opening of The Music Center at Strathmore in North Bethesda, MD,

the BSO became the nation’s first orchestra performing its full season of classical and pops concerts in two metropolitan areas.

In July 2022, the BSO once again made musical history with its announcement that Jonathon Heyward would succeed Music Director Laureate and OrchKids Founder Marin Alsop as the Orchestra’s next Music Director. Maestro Heyward begins his five-year contract in the 2023-24 season.

More information about the BSO can be found at BSOmusic.org.