CELEBRATING MARIN ALSOP
With the pandemic hindering what would have been her extraordinary final season as Music Director , the BSO looked outside the box to celebrate the legendary leadership of Marin Alsop – the first woman to lead a major American orchestra .
Beginning in January 2021 , we launched a six month retrospective campaign bringing Marin ’ s historic 14 year tenure to life including a weekly lookback at # MarinMilestones on social media , an interactive timeline on BSOmusic . org , and the relaunch of BSO Encore on WBJC radio with 15 of Marin ’ s signature programs accompanied by new interviews on air and ‘ Listen like a Musician ’ insights online .
On May 27 , we opened The Marin Festival . In fitting tribute to Marin , three weeks of events were completely free , with programmatic highlights including the final two episodes of BSO Sessions ; the Orchestra ’ s first ( outdoor ) concerts for live audiences in 15 months ; a special virtual tribute from BSO OrchKids , Daring Innovations ; and Marin ’ s final concert as Music Director , broadcast live from the Meyerhoff stage on MPT . Featuring soprano Renée Fleming , a special OrchKids appearance , and personal messages from special guests , this MPT broadcast was emceed by BSO Artistic Partner Wordsmith and opened with the world premiere of a new BSO commission by James Lee III in honor of Juneteenth : Destined Words . This MPT broadcast not only outperformed regional programming , but also ranked 7th of 37 PBS stations nationally .
In addition to special conversations , from Marin in her own words with NPR ’ s Scott Simon to a virtual Enoch Pratt Writers ’ Live ! program highlighting Destined Words , we also partnered with local organizations and small business across the state to invite the widest possible community participation .
View the Commemorative Marin Festival Book at BSOmusic . org / ProgramNotes
12 BALTIMORE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA