ADDING A FIFTH ENSEMBLE
EDUCATION NEWS Baltimore Symphony Youth Orchestras
ADDING A FIFTH ENSEMBLE
Repertory Orchestra
The Baltimore Symphony Youth Orchestra( BSYO) continues to expand, welcoming talented string players to join its fifth ensemble this fall. The Repertory Orchestra( RO) is an advanced string ensemble, designed to build upon existing technique and ensemble skills through advanced study of the string orchestra repertoire. This means that RO musicians will not only be exposed to works in the classical style but will also dive into scores by modern and underrepresented composers, representing a wider variety of genres in rehearsal and performance.
The RO will be led by veteran BSYO conductor Wesley Thompson. Ms. Thompson will continue to lead the String Orchestra( SO) and also serves as the Howard County Public Schools Orchestra Director as well as the Executive Director of Bass Works.
Together with the Youth Orchestra( YO), Concert Orchestra( CO), and Philharmonia Orchestra( PO), BSYO enrollment has grown to exceed 600 youth students of all ages and skill levels. In keeping with tradition, all BSYO concerts will once again take place at the Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall and are open to family, friends, and the community at large.
Wesley Thompson
Summer 2027 Tour
The BSYO will be embarking on another international tour in the summer of 2027, this time to Poland and the Czech Republic.
Approximately 80 students from current BSYO orchestras will form a new tour orchestra and perform in concert four times across the two countries, between July 10th- 18th. Concerts will be conducted by BSYO Principal Conductor Dr. Chris Cicconi, and programs will include a New Work written for the BSYO by BSO Composer in Residence, Jonathan Leshnoff.
The BSYO Tour & Scholarship Fund ensures formative international touring is accessible to all families. Scan the QR code to make a donation to help open the world to our students, or email education @ bsomusic. org for more information.
Above: BSYO 2025 Tour Orchestra performing in Portugal at the
Libson Music Festival Right: 2025 BSYO Tour Orchestra
Students and Families
Photos courtesy of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra.
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