23-139 BSO_Nov_Dev | Page 14

2023 – 24 BSO GALA CELEBRATIONS

HISTORY MADE &

BEHELD

tropical storm was due to make landfall , but nothing could dampen excitement for the official arrival of the Baltimore Symphony ’ s new Music Director , Jonathon Heyward .
Beginning almost as soon as Jonathon ’ s plane touched down at BWI , the whirlwind week began with a special Fireside Chat at the Government House in Annapolis hosted by our Honorary Gala Chairs , Governor Wes Moore and First Lady Dawn Flythe Moore . The days to follow included a special Open Rehearsal with students and staff from the Baltimore School for the Arts and — the main attraction — three back-to-back Gala concerts over three days . The celebrations would be among the BSO ’ s largest undertakings but , after all , audiences and musicians alike would be gathering together to be a part of history .
For the first time ever , the Gala opened at the BSO ’ s Montgomery County home , The Music Center at Strathmore . Prior to the concert , patrons gathered at the Mansion at Strathmore to chat , enjoy dinner , and bask in pre-concert music by BSO resident pianist Lura Johnson . More than a few familiar faces were in the room , notably among them current Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich , former County Executive Isiah Leggett , leading members of the Montgomery County Delegation in Annapolis and the County Council , as
12 OVERTURE / BSOmusic . org