The Annual BSO Academy Class Gift
Music Director Jonathon Heyward made his Midweek Education Concert debut in October, launching a season that welcomed more than 21,000 students in grades Pre-K through 8 across 16 Midweek Education Concerts. As part of the second year of the BSO’ s four-year partnership with Carnegie Hall, students also participated in Link Up: The Orchestra Swings, a fully interactive Midweek Education Concert experience that invited young musicians to perform on recorders and sing alongside the Orchestra from their seats.
Enrollment in Families Listen Together grew to nearly 200 active households, providing free season-long access to family-friendly performances and exclusive benefits. Combined with new children’ s discounts for most BSO concerts and the continued success of Kids Listen Free, these initiatives marked a significant step forward in ensuring that a BSO concert experience remains affordable for every family.
Average attendance at Family Concerts increased by 22 %, while Music Box Concerts at the Meyerhoff and BlackRock Center for the Arts engaged more than 2,000 young listeners through imaginative musical adventures inspired by storybooks, zoo animals, baby Mozart, and beyond.
The BSO continued to nurture the next generation of musicians through meaningful educational partnerships. Students from Howard County and Baltimore County Public Schools, the Baltimore School for the Arts, and the University of Maryland participated in masterclasses, coaching sessions, and immersive Side-by-Side experiences with BSO musicians, in some cases culminating in performances alongside the Orchestra on the Meyerhoff stage. The BSO also welcomed older students throughout the year to Open Rehearsals and continued its longstanding partnership with The Peabody Institute, where conducting students received specialized training through a full-orchestra masterclass led by Music Director Laureate Marin Alsop.
The BSO’ s commitment to learning extends far beyond youth programs. In June 2026, more than 100 adult amateur musicians from across the United States and around the world gathered for the 13th annual BSO Academy, an immersive week of rehearsing, learning, and performing alongside BSO musicians, reaffirming the belief that musical growth is a lifelong journey.
DONOR SPOTLIGHT
The Annual BSO Academy Class Gift
The dedication of BSO Academy participants goes far beyond their week of study and performance. These musicians invest significant time, energy, and resources in their pursuit of artistic growth. They also invest in the Orchestra itself. The 2026 Academy Class Gift, including a special grant from The Frank de Angeli Family Foundation, generated more than $ 36,000 to help address a critical equipment need: replacing the Orchestra’ s bass cases.
Protecting our bassists’ instruments helps ensure that current and future generations of musicians can continue sharing their artistry with audiences near and far.
The Frank De Angeli Family Foundation
Thank you to our lobby activation partners for bringing the music closer to our youngest audience members in more ways than one at our Family Concerts.
Pictured: The Menchey Music Petting Zoo 2025-26 YEAR IN REVIEW 9