DONOR SPOTLIGHT
REMEMBERING
Ruth R. Marder
Celebrating a newly named Grand Tier Box at the Meyerhoff
“ While the greater Rosenberg family has contributed to the BSO and Ruth Carol [ Marder ] was part of those decisions, she continued to grant some of her own money to the Symphony, as the notes and experiences of the BSO registered with her. We are pleased that Ruth Carol continues to support the BSO and that the BSO is honoring her ongoing giving by providing world-class music for Baltimore and Maryland.”
FRANK ROSENBERG Trustee of The Henry and Ruth Blaustein Rosenberg Foundation, and Ruth Marder ' s nephew
By ALLISON BURR-LIVINGSTONE
Since the opening of the Meyerhoff in 1982, and over the tenures of four Music Directors( Comissiona, Zinman, Termikanov, and Alsop), Ruth R. Marder could be seen enjoying BSO concerts from her family’ s beloved seats( 1 and 2) in Grand Tier Box E Left.
Ruth was a Baltimore philanthropist whose interests encompassed the arts, education, medical research, and social services. A member of the prominent Blaustein Rosenberg family, Ruth’ s parents were dynamic figures in the cultural and business life of Baltimore— including the Orchestra. Her father, Henry A. Rosenberg Sr., was once a treasurer of the board. Her mother, Ruth B. Rosenberg, was described as benefactress of“ much of what was good” in the city’ s classical music scene, and was in attendance at the BSO ' s inaugural concert in 1916 as a teenager— a memory she shared with great pride when serving as honorary chair of the Orchestra’ s 75th anniversary. In addition to carrying forward her parents’ box seats in her own subscription, Ruth forged her own special BSO mark through active service, advocacy, and philanthropy. A long-standing trustee of the Henry and Ruth Blaustein Rosenberg Foundation, Ruth stewarded the family’ s loyal support, a tradition of giving that continues to this day. She was also a major donor in her own right. In 2002, Ruth served as Co-Chair, together with her brother, Henry Rosenberg Jr. and his wife, Dorothy, of the Orchestra’ s 20th Annual Gala, a celebration entitled“ Let Freedom Ring” and featuring guest conductor Bobby McFerrin( famous for his chart-topping single“ Don’ t Worry, Be Happy”). The Baltimore Sun reported the evening as having“ a spirit of exuberance” and the concert“ full of emotional high points,” including the audience singing the national anthem unaccompanied, a special appearance by the Sandtown Children of Praise chorus, and a finale where Orchestra
Above( From left to right): Henry A. Rosenberg, Jr., Dorothy Rosenberg, Ruth Marder, and Lisa Davidson( Ruth’ s daughter) at the BSO’ s 2002 Gala Celebration.
38 | OVERTURE | BSOmusic. org