FROM THE PRESIDENT
Dear Friends,
Welcome to the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra’ s 2025 – 26 season!
We launch the subscription season following an exciting summer with SummerFest concerts expanding to both of our homes in Baltimore and North Bethesda and with enthusiastic audiences welcoming the Orchestra wherever we performed – Oregon Ridge Park, Boordy Vineyards, in churches and on college campuses across the state. These concerts remind us that music is as much about connection as it is about performance. For everyone who joined us for one or more of these moments, thank you!
As we begin Jonathon Heyward’ s third year as Music Director, I am thrilled to celebrate another historic milestone. This past May, we announced a major gift from Baltimore philanthropist Betsy Sherman and The Sherman Family Foundation. In addition to a major investment in the BSO’ s family programming, this gift included a public matching challenge: $ 1 Million to match $ 1 Million in new or increased contributions to the Annual Fund by August 31. The final numbers are still being counted, but I can officially confirm that we exceeded our goal with more than $ 1 Million in qualifying gifts from individual members, foundation partners, and corporate sponsors! On behalf of the entire BSO family, I want to thank Betsy and the Foundation for being the catalytic spark to inspire the action of others, and to thank everyone in our community who seized the moment to have your philanthropic support doubled.
The impact of a successful Sherman Family Foundation challenge will resound across the 2025-26 season. We begin with a two-night Gala Celebration, featuring superstar violinist Joshua Bell and talented students from BSO OrchKids and the Baltimore Symphony Youth Orchestras. The weeks and months to follow reflect Jonathon’ s dynamic artistry and vision, one that celebrates timeless masterpieces, champions new voices, and connects deeply with our community.
As you take in the magic of the season, I also encourage you to look out for our Live at the Meyerhoff series. With special appearances by Pink Martini, Itzhak Perlman, Bernadette Peters, and more, Live at the Meyerhoff is yet another example of our belief in the Meyerhoff as a Hall for All.
On behalf of the Orchestra, thank you for your support and enthusiasm. We look forward to sharing this season of extraordinary music with you.
MARK C. HANSON President and CEO Baltimore Symphony Orchestra
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CELEBRATING OUR RETIRING MUSICIANS
PAGE 8 NEWS OF NOTE
PAGE 10 HEAR IT FROM HEYWARD
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