NEWS
NOTE
Essential Updates from your Baltimore Symphony Orchestra
2023 Academy participants
BSO ACADEMY VETERAN SCHOLARSHIPS ARE GENEROUSLY SUPPORTED BY:
OREGON RIDGE / BALTIMORE COUNTY
Star-Spangled 250!
Join Music Director Jonathon Heyward and the BSO at Oregon Ridge on July 3 and 4 to celebrate Star-Spangled 250! This concert features patriotic favorites including Tchaikovsky’ s 1812 Overture, alongside Barber’ s Knoxville: Summer of 1915, Copland’ s Hoe-Down from Rodeo, and more. This year marks the return of the BSO’ s“ O, Say Can you Sing?” competition, where two vocal soloists will be selected to perform the national anthem with the Orchestra. Local vendors will be onsite with food and beverages available for purchase, and concertgoers are invited to bring lawn chairs, blankets, and picnics for a full evening of entertainment.
BSO Academy
The 2026 BSO Academy has accepted over 100 amateur musicians to spend a week at the Meyerhoff this summer. The Academy program brings together passionate adult instrumentalists from across the U. S. and abroad, for an immersive musical experience alongside members of the BSO. Participants play side-by-side with BSO musicians, play in chamber ensembles, instrumental workshops, and in solo recital. Join Academy Principal Conductor Nicholas Hersh and this year ' s Academy Orchestra in their closing concert on Saturday, June 27 at 7 pm at the Meyerhoff.
In the Academy class of 2025, 48 participants contributed to the BSO Piano Fund, pledging over $ 35,000 to kickstart the campaign. It is gifts like these that demonstrate the legacy of the BSO Academy, and the remarkable relationships built through the shared language of music.
League Of American Orchestras
June brings the 81st Annual League of American Orchestras Conference back to Baltimore( last hosted by the BSO in 2016) for three inspiring days.
“ Baltimore is the perfect place to have discussions about the future, because it’ s a place of reinvention, where heritage and modern vibrancy come together,” Simon Woods, President & CEO of the League said.“ I think our members will find energy and enthusiasm in Baltimore, whether they’ re discussing financial sustainability, youth engagement, audition practices, or the impact of A. I. With the BSO as our hosts and partners, I know this year’ s conference will be an invigorating event— and I look forward to seeing that momentum drive positive change for orchestras across the country.”
That spirit of creative reinvention, along with Baltimore’ s harbor location, inspired this year’ s National Conference theme,“ FLOW.”
Join us for concerts from the Baltimore Chamber Orchestra, Annapolis Symphony Orchestra,( both in their Meyerhoff debuts), and for the culminating concert on June 2, Aspects of America conducted by Jonathon Heyward, where we celebrate the distinctive voice of American music.
IN MEMORIAM DR. MARSHALL A. LEVINE February 9, 1945- April 6, 2026
The BSO is deeply saddened by the passing of Dr. Marshall Levine, a devoted champion of the Orchestra for more than four decades. A member of the Board of Directors, Marshall alongside his wife Sarellen, provided seed funding to launch Kids Listen Free, and later chose to endow the BSO’ s Associate Principal
Cello chair. A career Oncologist, and fine cellist, Marshall made many close relationships with BSO musicians performing in the BSO Academy. We are profoundly grateful for Marshall’ s enduring legacy at the BSO and remain honored that his name will live on in perpetuity in their endowed chair.
4 | OVERTURE | BSOmusic. org