memorable Board benefit, reporting“ I, and my family, were thrilled.”
Barry rejoined the Board in 2014, later serving as Vice Chair and Chair of the Governance Committee, before stepping into the role of Chair in September 2019 as part of a longplanned leadership tradition. For most of his time as Chair, Barry also served as Chairman of Gordon Feinblatt( a position he held for 35 years, a tenure second only to the 36-year tenure of a firm founder and Barry’ s mentor, Gene Feinblatt.) It is no coincidence that his concurrent leadership helped to foster an even more robust BSO-Gordon Feinblatt relationship. The firm has celebrated signature BARRY F. ROSEN anniversaries at the Meyerhoff, hosted BSO convenings at its offices, and donated countless hours of pro-bono expertise and services. Barry remains proud of the firm’ s ongoing commitment as a corporate sponsor, a partnership enjoyed across the entire company.
“[ Our ] sponsorship allows all 120 firm employees the ability to purchase tickets on a discounted basis, an opportunity that is availed upon by dozens and dozens of our employees to their great satisfaction and enjoyment,” Barry said.
“Accountability is not liability. Accountability is a mindset. Everything that occurs is occurring on the Board’ s‘ watch’, and that is especially true for the Board Chair.”
This season, Gordon Feinblatt is the proud Presenting Sponsor of an April 2026 concert featuring Music Director Jonathon Heyward, guest cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason, and Tchaikovsky’ s Symphony No. 5.
If you ask any member of the staff, orchestra, board or endowment trust, they will likely describe Barry as a source of unwavering stability and positivity during a time of great institutional change and— at times— challenges. Over his six-year Chair tenure, Barry’ s calm and guiding hand saw the organization negotiate two successive multiyear collective bargaining agreements, navigate a global pandemic, and recruit new artistic and executive leadership. When asked about his proudest moments, Barry quickly replied,“… being a part of the search committees that brought Jonathon Heyward and Mark Hanson to the BSO, as our Music Director and Chief Executive Officer, respectively.”
When asked about his approach to Board service, Barry was equally expeditious in his response.
“ The Board has ultimate and total authority, and with that authority comes ultimate and total accountability for all that occurs at the BSO. Accountability is
Barry and Susan Rosen at the BSO ' s annual Star-Spangled Spectacular at Oregon Ridge.
not liability. Accountability is a mindset. Everything that occurs is occurring on the Board’ s‘ watch’, and that is especially true for the Board Chair.”
By putting this personal philosophy into practice, Barry has continuously led by example, setting the tone for the organization and building consensus behind a common north star: the success of the BSO.
While stepping down as Chair, Barry continues to serve on the BSO Board of Directors. He is expected to play an active role as Immediate Past Chair in the 2025 – 26 season. And, in keeping with tradition, he and Susan are expected to be among the revelers at next summer’ s Oregon Ridge festivities— where they will continue to enjoy access to VIP parking as a token of our sincere appreciation.
Susan with her and Barry ' s daughter, Kate Beach, at Oregon Ridge.
A LEGACY OF LEADERSHIP
To honor Barry’ s legacy of leadership at the BSO, Gordon Feinblatt is generously establishing The Barry and Susan Rosen Scholarship Fund within the Baltimore Symphony Endowment Trust. This fund will provide sustaining support to ensure accessibility for students regardless of means, including tuition support in the Baltimore Symphony Youth Orchestras and / or summer camp tuition for students in OrchKids. Susan Rosen was preschool teacher at Grace Methodist for roughly 30 years. Barry describes their named scholarship fund as“ striking a particularly appropriate chord,” while also resonating with the firm’ s desire to encourage a passion for music for generations to come.
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