Overture Magazine - 2018-19 Season FINAL_BSO_Overture_May_June | Page 11

discounted drink specials and the chance to
Levine and his wife Sarellen, Young and Free
meet BSO musicians and visiting guest artists.
started last fall as a way to make music even
In the 2017 – 18 season alone, 798 Student
more accessible to children and families in
Select memberships were issued.
Maryland. With the goal in mind of cultivating
Passport represents the next step in the
the next generation of concert-goers as well as
BSO’s programs for younger audiences — for
lowering cost barriers for parents, the initiative
$99, patrons 40 and under can attend nearly
makes two free tickets available to children ages
all BSO concerts at The Music Center at
7–17 to select classical and pops concerts with
Strathmore and the Meyerhoff Symphony
the purchase of an adult ticket.
Hall. Last season, 694 individuals signed up for
The Levines’ commitment to education, and
Passport, and, to date, 7,500 tickets have been
specifically to music education, runs deep. A
used by Passport members and student ticket-
BSO Board member, physician and amateur
holders in the current season.
cellist (he currently takes lessons with BSO
“I think what makes the BSO’s Student
Associate Principal Cellist Lachezar Kostov),
Select and Passport programs so valuable is that
Marshall has witnessed first-hand the cognitive
they are season-long programs rather than one-
and therapeutic benefits that music can have
Associate Principal Horn Gabrielle
Finck shows off her instrument at
time discounts,” says BSO Director of Audience
on individuals of all ages and socioeconomic
one of the BSO's Music Box concert
Development Rafaela Dreisin, who manages
backgrounds. “I’ve seen that music can play
at AMP by Strathmore. (Above); A
young BSO patron explores music-
both Student Select and Passport. “This not
a fundamental role not only in helping to
making during the pre-concert
only provides affordable tickets for those with
develop creativity, problem-solving and critical
Music Box activities. (Below)
less expendable income, but it helps the BSO
reasoning skills but also in its ability to connect
to build future audiences, getting students and young professionals
and promote healing,” he says. “Among the things I personally
into the habit of regularly attending performances who may have
learned from music were fractions, counting and teamwork.”
otherwise only been able to attend once or twice a year.”
Additionally, Sarellen is Vice President of Recruitment
According to Dreisin, communication and generating a sense of
and Membership for the Baltimore Symphony Associates, the
shared experience are key to welcoming new and younger audiences
volunteer arm of the BSO. All the Associates’ fundraising efforts
to the concert hall: “Student Select and Passport members receive
go towards supporting the BSO’s education programs.
monthly e-newsletters and have really become an integral part of
“We launched Young and Free with the goal of making the live
the BSO community.”
symphonic music experience one that the entire family could enjoy
With the expansion of Music Box, the launch of Young and
together,” Marshall says. “With increasing cuts to arts programs
Free and the continued growth of Student Select and Passport,
in the public education system, we wanted to ensure that families,
audiences have demonstrated a clear desire for programs that bring
especially those for whom the BSO may have been out of reach
more young people into the concert
in the past, were able to expose their children to these enriching
hall. As the largest cultural organization
experiences. Our hope is that this will encourage more families to
BSO Passport
holders attend
in the State of Maryland, the BSO is
become fans of the BSO.”
a performance at
dedicated to playing a role in fostering
Since the inception of Young and Free, nearly 400 individuals
The Music Center
music appreciation among the next
have redeemed free tickets, and nearly half of those tickets have
at Strathmore (Left);
Patrons attend a BSO
generation of listeners and ensuring that
been claimed by first-time BSO patrons.
performance using
it continues to bring exceptional music
These two initiatives fit into a larger scope of offerings that
the Student Select
performances to its community.
the BSO makes available to children and young adults. Those
pass. (Right)
who outgrow Young and Free can take
advantage of the Student Select program.
For $35, students with a valid university ID
receive nearly unlimited access to concerts
throughout the season at no additional
cost. Members also receive free admission
to College Night, an event held three
times per season that includes entry to an
exclusive post-concert party with free pizza,
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