AN ORCHESTRA
BY ROSIE CONSTANTINE
FOR
YOU
Discovering New Ways to Reach Music Lovers — In the Community , Online , and in the Concert Hall
In a year when our doors were closed to the public , the BSO reached more music lovers than ever before . Advanced streaming platforms allowed for global access to the Orchestra , creative series introduced the orchestra in a fresh light , and innovative outreach forged stronger relationships in communities across Maryland .
In returning to the concert hall for our Season of Discovery , the BSO has taken all that we ’ ve learned in the past year to continue to engage audiences through creative points of access : in the community , online , and in our concert halls .
Throughout the 2020 – 21 season , the BSO created one of the most ambitious digital concert series in the country . BSO Sessions allowed backstage access to a major symphony orchestra and introduced viewers to often overlooked , yet powerful , music . 45 % of these viewers were entirely new to the BSO .
“ It would have been easy to film and release digital performances ,” said Early Light Media Director David Larson . “ But our goal as a collaborative video team was to push the BSO in making content that could be enjoyed and understood by everyone , so that anyone — musician or not — could be drawn into the music through conversation , perhaps not even directly related to the musical elements . We also tried to embrace a visual aesthetic of what we were all experiencing to create a sense of togetherness .”
When it became clear that some of the most isolated members of our community were without internet , we created a Daily Music Hotline — providing callers daily access to a musical message from BSO musicians . The Take a Break program delivered free musical performances directly to the inboxes of local business and front-line employees , BSO performances were streamed on the in-home television channels or common rooms of senior communities statewide , and chamber ensembles brought musical moments to Sinai Hospital through a partnership with LifeBridge Health .
“ We ’ ve been forced to think outside the box in finding new ways to meet people where they are , and that ’ s been an important steppingstone in really listening to how we can better serve our state ,” said BSO
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We ’ ve been forced to think outside the box in finding new ways to meet people where they are …”
Adeline Sutter BSO Director of Audience Engagement
BSO musicians perform for healthcare workers , patients , and visitors at Sinai Hospital .
Director of Audience Engagement Adeline Sutter . “ As we return to in-person events , we ’ ve been able to continue to learn how to more effectively support the missions of our neighbors and package our content in a way that is meaningful and unique to them .”
Fast forward to the 2021 – 22 season , and senior center partnerships now more regularly bring musical moments and support to community residents , including ‘ Concierge Days ’ for on-site subscription renewals and centenarian celebrations from BSO musicians .
Digital programming is also expanding in a second season of BSO Sessions , with each episode featuring a potential candidate in the BSO ’ s Music Director search , and livestreamed performances of classical and pops concerts — both allowing for access to the BSO anywhere at any time .
“ Now , this year , we get to introduce even more characters to the series and get to know conductors from around the world in a more personal way ,” said Larson .
In reopening our doors for the 2021 – 22 season , there ’ s nothing more inspiring to us than the applause of an in-person audience — and we hope that those who discovered the Orchestra through BSO Sessions will not only continue to watch but also join us to applaud in-person . While we continue to find points of entry
10 OVERTURE / BSOmusic . org