“ The BSO has been on a Journey ”
A Message from President & CEO Peter Kjome and Board Chair Barry Rosen
BARRY ROSEN AND PETER KJOME
For well over a year , the BSO has been on a remarkable journey . As outlined throughout this report , we have made incredible progress .
Not only did we develop a five-year strategic framework , we have taken significant steps to implement it . Among our most poignant examples being that management , musicians , and board leadership came to the table during the height of the pandemic to redefine , quite literally , our collective bargaining agreement — reaching a five-year agreement that provides not only unprecedented foundational stability but also newfound opportunities for artistic expansion , programmatic innovation , efficiency savings , and audience as well as revenue growth . With the inspirational support of our community behind us ( demonstrated by the BSO ’ s strongest financial year in outright philanthropy on record ), we are poised to emerge from the first phase of our response to the pandemic with extraordinarily positive momentum and resolve .
Looking ahead , the 2020-21 season , the first in our five-year plan , stands to be greatly impacted by COVID-19 but equally representative of the transformation seeded this past year .
In closing , we have a vision and a clear path — despite COVID-19 — toward an incredibly invigorating and powerful future of a beloved cultural , economic and quality of life anchor for Baltimore , Montgomery County , and for Maryland . We are grateful for the investments of our community that have allowed us to arrive at this extraordinary moment . Together , we can accelerate our progress toward the Culture , Community , Capacity , and Capital we seek to secure for the long-term health and success of the BSO .
2020-21 Strategic Priorities
• Ushering in a new era of accessibility that will extend beyond the limits of social distancing , bringing powerful music and real stories captured from the stage to audiences at home , on the go , and on demand through an enhanced BSO OffStage streaming platform and digital concert series .
• Embracing the opportunity to elevate underrepresented voices by including composers and artists of color in programming for virtual audiences ; at the same time , charting new pathways to welcome young talent , new perspectives , and strategic partners to the BSO family , starting with the recent appointments of Assistant Conductor Jonathan Rush and Artistic Partner Wordsmith .
• Ensuring that our Meyerhoff home is more welcoming when audiences return . While the patron experience is presently online-only , we are taking strategic advantage of “ dark ” halls by implementing a new code of conduct , extensive wayfinding signage , and other facility upgrades .
• Continuing to build the capacity and bench depth of our staff and Board to provide the top-tier leadership and governance this organization both demands and deserves .
• Celebrating the historic 14-year tenure of Music Director Marin Alsop . Although public health guidelines have interrupted the planned artistic celebrations of her culminating season , we are finding new and exciting ways to honor Marin Alsop , as well as begin her brightest five-year term as Laureate .
• Taking thoughtful steps to advance a global , multi-year search for the Orchestra ’ s next artistic leader — a process naturally shaping forthcoming seasons by engaging only remarkable guest conductors .
2019-20 BSO YEAR IN REVIEW
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