ARTISTIC HIGHLIGHTS
With a new CBA and streaming capabilities , an expanded artistic team ( including Associate Conductor Nicholas Hersh in his final season , Assistant Conductor Jonathan Rush , Artistic Partner Wordsmith , and Pops Conductor Jack Everly ), and external production expertise from Early Light Media in place , we moved quickly to launch an all-digital season from the Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall with multiple orchestra cohorts .
Premiering in October 2020 , each 60-minute episode of BSO Sessions paired powerful music with untold stories , connecting audiences with musicians , living composers , composers of color , and conductors through intimate interviews . In addition to showcasing BSO musicians , and in keeping with responsible practices , BSO Sessions , additional BSO OffStage content , and free outdoor concerts ( beginning in June and running the entire month of July ) also featured local talent , including two of Music Director Marin Alsop ’ s graduate conducting students , Juliano Aniceto and Daniel Lima from the Peabody Institute ( leading an episode showcasing the Spirit of Brazil ); Baltimore-based marimbist Ji Su Jung ( performing Emmanuel Séjourné ’ s Concerto for Marimba and Strings , followed by Kevin Puts ’ Marimba Concerto ); and , Baltimore ’ s own Maria Broom ( narrating Stacey Garrop ’ s The Battle for the Ballot as part of The Marin Festival ).
In November , we announced James Conlon ’ s appointment as Artistic Advisor . A multi-year position beginning in September 2021 , Conlon will lead the Orchestra three concert weeks per year and help to maintain artistic excellence ( including filling essential duties off the podium ) as we embark on the multi-year search for Marin Alsop ’ s successor .
Inclusive of Conlon ’ s curatorial debut with Episode 15 , Recovered Voices , the entirety of the BSO ’ s artistic leadership team – including Music Director Marin Alsop – brought their own unique viewpoints to BSO Sessions . We also highlighted new series and formats to come , including an interview with Steve Hackman ( spearheading BSO Fusion beginning in 2021-22 ), and diversified our Pops series through new and additional artists alongside an expansion of genres .
For a list of commissions and premieres featured during the 2020-21 digital season , see ENDNOTES .
Revisit BSO Sessions Episodes and Digital Program Notes by visiting BSOmusic . org / OffStage .
6 BALTIMORE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA