THE
Big Picture :
Since his historic appointment in 2022 , we have said often and enthusiastically : the pairing of Music Director Jonathon Heyward with the Baltimore Symphony is magical . As you will read in the enclosed report , the 2023-24 season exceeded all expectations for his arrival .
Jonathon arrived to find his image on Baltimore ’ s MTA buses , and the Governor and First Lady standing behind him as Honorary Chairs of our season opening Gala celebrations – the first time an acting administration has ever taken such a visible position of support and advocacy . And while Jonathon shared the podium with a full array of guest conductors including Music Director Laureate Marin Alsop , his artistry and belief that classical music is for everyone struck a chord with core patrons , new audiences , and industry leaders alike . We saw this in expansive media attention , in our own market research , and in a steadily growing and more diverse audience across all series , including classical .
A more patron-centric business strategy and staffing plan is ensuring such widespread interest translates into ticket purchases and repeat engagement . Examples include the restructured Passport program , providing highly flexible , season-long access to anyone for just $ 140 ; a strategic rescaling of our concert halls , ensuring great seats are available at all price points ; and a fresh approach to concert marketing , including paid advertising by medium and market . As a result , we are seeing a rebound in single ticket sales to pre-pandemic levels and at the time of report publication , we have already welcomed 1,500 + new subscriber households for the 2024-25 season underway .
Off the main stage , Jonathon ’ s inaugural season was marked by other important milestones . We announced six new musicians joining the Orchestra , including section leadership essential to the ensemble ’ s sound such as Principal Flute and Principal Horn . We completed the first phase in an ambitious modernization of our uniquely owned Baltimore home , including new escalators for patrons and new locker rooms and dressing / practice rooms for the Orchestra and visiting artists . And we continued to strengthen ties around our Montgomery County home , including new collaborations with Strathmore . Highlights included an agreement to co-present our first ever Lunar New Year celebration at Strathmore in early 2025 and the opening of a new Sonic Trails interactive experience on the Strathmore campus featuring the BSO ’ s recording ( under Jonathon ’ s baton ) of Grace Evangeline Mason ’ s The Imagined Forests as its soundtrack .
4 | BALTIMORE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA