IN YOUR OWN WORDS
An explosive expression of humanity , music is connective and communal . At our core , the BSO exists to create joy , inspiration , and human connections through music .
With our physical doors shuttered to the public for far too long , we forged new pathways to create and share music at a distance . We acted with great intentionality : for the health and security of our BSO family ; for the voices represented on our podium , programs , and ( digital ) stages ; for the needs of our patrons as well as of our region ’ s front-line workers , teachers , students , families , and seniors ; and , for sustainability , today and tomorrow . In doing so , we not only continued the momentum seeded in early 2020 – we also reached more Marylanders ( and listeners throughout the world ) when it mattered the most .
That is the story of the 2020-21 season , outlined within . We couldn ’ t think of a better way to summarize the collective scope and impact of this year than through the words of some of the most vocal of our nearly 500,000 ( known ) attendees and listeners .
“ Even on a relatively small boom box ... the emotional impact of your performance , as heard over WBJC today , was out of this world .” – A BSO Encore Listener
“ During this time of the pandemic and disappointment , you have provided a glimpse into a world so many of our students have never experienced !” – A Teacher on the Midweek Concerts : BGE Broadcasts
“ Our students rarely leave the area , much less visit Baltimore or Rockville . I ’ m not sure if many of the students have ever heard a professional musician - much less someone the caliber of a Symphony musician .” – A Teacher after a BSO Virtual
Classroom Visit
“… many residents who were longtime BSO subscribers had to discontinue their subscriptions due to health issues over the years , and I know they appreciate feeling connected to the BSO again .” – On the BSO ’ s Senior Community Outreach
“ Great to hear some smaller works , reductions of larger works , and unheard works by underrepresented composers on BSO Sessions … I have heard more classical music from your digital content than I have heard in years .” – A BSO Sessions / OffStage user
“ I ‘ m grateful for these tiny bits of music instruction and context and have listened almost every day .” - A Daily Music Hotline Caller
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2020-21 BSO YEAR IN REVIEW
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