FROM THE PRESIDENT
Dear Friends,
This issue of Overture marks the conclusion of a transformational 2025 – 26 season. Our theme of Blending the Extraordinary inspired a wide variety of concert programming offered both at the Meyerhoff and Strathmore where we have enjoyed a longstanding bridge of shared musical experiences.
Between June 1 and 3, we will welcome over 1,000 orchestra administrators, board members, musicians, and other industry professionals to Baltimore for the 81 st League of American Orchestras National Conference. Among many conference highlights will be our spotlight concert, Aspects of America on June 2, featuring vocalist Cécile McLorin Salvant and brothers Anthony and Demarre McGill in a world premiere Concerto for Flute and Clarinet by American composer, Billy Childs.
For a truly thrilling conclusion to the season, the second year of our Verdi Initiative brings Rigoletto to life with a beautiful shared stage presentation featuring the Orchestra, a star-studded cast, and the Washington Chorus on June 12 and 14. This tragic story brings operatic themes of betrayal, love, fate, and vengeance. These dynamic performances are sure to ignite the opera lover inside each of us.
We are excited to highlight the wonderful accomplishments of our OrchKids and Baltimore Symphony Youth Orchestra students on page 8, and hope you’ ll join us in celebrating their talents in two special end of year concerts in May. Then in June, our 14 th annual BSO Academy brings together amateur musicians from 22 states( and two countries) for a week of music making alongside BSO musicians. The Academy Class of 2025 was integral in seeding our Piano Fund, a campaign to acquire a new Steinway piano for the Meyerhoff. Read more about the Piano Fund on page 10.
Kicking off our summer season, the BSO and Jonathon Heyward will celebrate Star-Spangled 250! in partnership with Baltimore County at Oregon Ridge on July 3 and 4, with concerts featuring the return of the“ O, Say Can You Sing?” competition, the music of Florence Price, Leonard Bernstein, John Williams, and of course Tchaikovsky’ s 1812 Overture, complete with fireworks!
It has been an unforgettable season, and one of which the entire BSO family is proud of. As we look ahead, we are excited for fabulous summer programming and an illuminating 2026 – 27 season with both our Music Director Jonathon Heyward and our incredible musicians. Thank you for joining us in Baltimore, Montgomery County, and beyond, and for continuing to be a member of the BSO family.
MARK C. HANSON President & CEO Baltimore Symphony Orchestra
PAGE 4 LEAGUE CONFERENCE
PAGE 10
PIANO FUND
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SUMMERFEST
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