Overture Magazine - 2018-19 Season BSO_Overture_JanFeb_19 | Page 6

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B A LT I M O R E S Y M P H O N Y O R C H E S T R A
NEWS OF NOTE
GAME DAY
O
BSO percussion and brass players perform at Baltimore Ravens game
n Sunday, November 25, after the Thanksgiving
holiday, members of the Baltimore Symphony
brass and percussion sections performed the
national anthem at the Baltimore Ravens game at
M&T Bank Stadium. Led by Associate Conductor
Nicholas Hersh, the ensemble performed an arrangement of the
anthem written by Sean O’Loughlin.
“Though the performance itself was brief by orchestral
standards, it was certainly one of the more pulse-pounding
musical experiences I’ve had,” said Hersh. “We set up at the
20-yard line as the visiting team’s kicker was practicing field
goals—over our heads. Then we witnessed the pyrotechnic-
infused entrance of the Ravens from the best seats in the stadium.
And, for a true rush of adrenaline, try seeing yourself perform in
real time on a jumbotron with a stadium’s mega-amplification
system echoing around you! But the feeling of a thousands-strong
‘O!’ and swelling cheers with the final crescendo was more than
enough to leave us all on cloud nine.”
The experience was made even better by a Ravens win over
the Oakland Raiders! The game ended with a score of 34 to 17.
WHITE HOUSE CHRISTMAS
BSYO musicians perform in the nation’s capital
17 students from the Baltimore Symphony Youth Orchestras program had the opportunity to
perform at the White House for the annual Holiday Open House on Friday, November 30.
All members of the Youth Orchestra and the Concert Orchestra, the young musicians performed
in small ensembles while visitors toured the decorated holiday displays.
A private event hosted by the Executive Office of the President, the invitation came after
Concert Orchestra Conductor Mary Poling sent in an application and recordings of the group.
Students were able to tour the White House following their performance.
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