Baltimore Symphony Orchestra

The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra (BSO) is a professional American symphony orchestra headquartered in Baltimore, Maryland. Founded in 1916, it performs primarily at Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall in Baltimore and, since 2005, at the Music Center at Strathmore in North Bethesda. The organization presents more than 130 concerts annually across its principal venues and also maintains recurring engagements in Frederick and at Chesapeake College in Wye Mills. Its programming spans the standard symphonic canon, contemporary American composition, pops presentations, family concerts, educational performances, community programs, broadcasts and recordings. The orchestra has a distinctive institutional history. It was originally established as a branch of Baltimore's municipal government, making it unusual among major American orchestras. In 1942 it was reorganized as a private institution, although it has continued to maintain close relationships with Baltimore City, surrounding counties and the State of Maryland. Its modern development accelerated after Joseph Meyerhoff, a Baltimore arts patron and businessman, became president in 1965. Meyerhoff held that position for 18 years and supported the development of the orchestra's artistic and physical infrastructure. The hall that became the orchestra's Baltimore home opened in 1982 and was later named Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall in his honor. The BSO has worked with a succession of prominent music directors, including Sergiu Comissiona, David Zinman, Yuri Temirkanov, Marin Alsop and Jonathon Heyward. Alsop's tenure, beginning in 2007, raised the orchestra's national profile through ambitious American programming, recordings, tours and community initiatives. She was the first woman to serve as the orchestra's music director and became music director laureate after completing her tenure at the end of the 2020–2021 season. Jonathon Heyward was appointed music director beginning with the 2023–2024 season and is the first conductor of color to hold the position. The orchestra also announced in 2025 that his contract would continue through the 2030–2031 season. The BSO's identity extends beyond subscription concerts. It commissions and premieres works by living composers, including Christopher Rouse, Steven Stucky, Stephen Albert, John Harbison, Philip Glass, John Adams and Jonathan Leshnoff. Its education and access work includes school concerts, open rehearsals, BSO on the Go, Side-by-Side performances, the BSO Academy, Rusty Musicians and the Baltimore Symphony Youth Orchestras. OrchKids, launched in 2008, provides free music education, instruments, meals and mentorship to young people in low-income Baltimore neighborhoods through partnerships with schools and community organizations. The orchestra has also developed a regional and national media presence through radio broadcasts, podcasts and distributed concert programming. Its touring history includes Europe and the Soviet Union in 1987, Midwestern American appearances in 1990, East Asian tours in 1994, 1997 and 2002, and repeated performances at Carnegie Hall. Recordings made under several music directors have covered repertoire from Bach, Brahms, Rachmaninoff, Tchaikovsky, Stravinsky and Elgar to contemporary American works. The BSO is therefore positioned as both a major regional performing-arts institution and a national platform for orchestral performance, new music, music education and civic engagement.

The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra was founded in 1916 as a municipal-government branch, an unusual origin among major American orchestras. It was reorganized as a private institution in 1942 but retained durable relationships with Baltimore's civic authorities, surrounding counties and the State of Maryland. These relationships have supported the orchestra's role not only as a concert presenter but also as an educational and community institution. The orchestra's modern era is closely associated with Joseph Meyerhoff, who became president in 1965 and served for 18 years. During this period the BSO strengthened its artistic standing and developed the infrastructure that eventually led to the construction of its principal Baltimore hall. Sergiu Comissiona served as music director during the early part of the Meyerhoff era, followed by David Zinman from 1985 to 1998 and Yuri Temirkanov from 2000 to 2006. Under Zinman, the orchestra expanded its touring and recording profile, visiting Europe and the Soviet Union in 1987, the American Midwest in 1990 and East Asia in 1994, with later East Asian tours in 1997 and 2002. Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall opened on September 16, 1982. The 2,443-seat venue became the orchestra's principal residence and was renovated in 1990 and 2001. A second major base was established in February 2005, when the Music Center at Strathmore opened in North Bethesda. As the center's founding partner and resident orchestra, the BSO became the first American orchestra with year-round venues in two metropolitan areas. It presents approximately 35 performances there annually, in addition to its Baltimore schedule and recurring concerts elsewhere in Maryland. Marin Alsop became music director-designate for the 2006–2007 season and formally began her tenure in September 2007. Her appointment was controversial because some musicians believed they had not been sufficiently involved in the search. The orchestra and Alsop subsequently addressed the dispute, and her contract was extended in 2009 and 2013. Her tenure emphasized contemporary American music, recordings, touring and broad public engagement. In 2008 the BSO launched OrchKids, a free program combining instrumental instruction, meals, mentorship and academic support for children in Baltimore neighborhoods with limited resources. Other initiatives included school concerts, BSO on the Go, Side-by-Side concerts, the BSO Academy and Rusty Musicians for adult amateurs. Alsop concluded her music directorship after the 2020–2021 season and took the title of music director laureate. The orchestra experienced significant labor and financial pressure in the late 2010s and early 2020s. During the summer of 2019, management locked out musicians while negotiations addressed the 52-week-per-year status of the ensemble. A September 2020 contract retained that status but included pay reductions amid losses partly connected to the COVID-19 pandemic. Peter T. Kjome, who had become president and CEO in 2017, announced his departure after his contract ended in January 2022. Mark C. Hanson was appointed to succeed him, taking office in April 2022. James Conlon became artistic advisor for the 2021–2022 season under a three-season arrangement and conducted his first BSO concert in October 2021. Jonathon Heyward first guest-conducted the orchestra in March 2022 and returned for an April concert supporting Ukraine. In July 2022 he was named the next music director, beginning in the 2023–2024 season. Heyward is the first conductor of color appointed to lead the BSO. The orchestra later announced that his contract would run through the 2030–2031 season. Artistically, the BSO has combined standard repertory with commissions and premieres by American composers. Its commissioned projects have included works by Christopher Rouse, Steven Stucky, Stephen Albert, John Harbison, Philip Glass, John Adams and Jonathan Leshnoff. The orchestra has appeared frequently at Carnegie Hall and has participated in radio, podcast and distributed-broadcast projects. Its recording history includes classical repertory conducted by several music directors as well as contemporary works. Through the Baltimore Symphony Youth Orchestras, OrchKids and its other access programs, the organization has built a brand centered on professional performance, artistic innovation, regional service and the expansion of music education.

• 2025

  Heyward contract extended

  [1]Baltimore Symphony Orchestraen.wikipedia.org

  The orchestra announced that Heyward's contract would continue through the 2030–2031 season.

• 2022

  Heyward named next music director

  [1]Baltimore Symphony Orchestraen.wikipedia.org

  The BSO announced Jonathon Heyward as music director beginning in the 2023–2024 season.

• 2020

  Labor agreement reached during pandemic period

  [1]Baltimore Symphony Orchestraen.wikipedia.org

  Management and musicians reached an agreement preserving 52-week employment status while reducing pay amid financial losses.

• 2012

  Youth orchestras enter BSO umbrella

  [1]Baltimore Symphony Orchestraen.wikipedia.org

  The Greater Baltimore Youth Orchestra became part of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra structure and was renamed the Baltimore Symphony Youth Orchestras.

• 2008

  OrchKids launched

  [1]Baltimore Symphony Orchestraen.wikipedia.org

  The BSO began its free after-school music education and mentorship program in Baltimore.

• 2007

  Marin Alsop begins music directorship

  [1]Baltimore Symphony Orchestraen.wikipedia.org

  Alsop formally became the orchestra's music director after serving as music-director designate.

• 2005

  Strathmore residency begins

  [1]Baltimore Symphony Orchestraen.wikipedia.org

  The BSO became founding partner and resident orchestra of the Music Center at Strathmore in North Bethesda.

• 1987

  Europe and Soviet Union tour

  [1]Baltimore Symphony Orchestraen.wikipedia.org

  The BSO and David Zinman undertook a major tour that included the Soviet Union.

• 1982

  Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall opens

  [1]Baltimore Symphony Orchestraen.wikipedia.org

  The orchestra's 2,443-seat Baltimore home opened on September 16.

• 1965

  Joseph Meyerhoff begins modern development era

  [1]Baltimore Symphony Orchestraen.wikipedia.org

  Arts patron Joseph Meyerhoff became president and helped guide the orchestra's modern institutional development.

• 1942

  Reorganized as a private institution

  [1]Baltimore Symphony Orchestraen.wikipedia.org

  The orchestra became a private institution while retaining close civic and state relationships.

• 1916

  Orchestra founded as a municipal branch

  [1]Baltimore Symphony Orchestraen.wikipedia.org

  The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra was established as an arm of Baltimore's municipal government.

A major American orchestra combining high-level symphonic performance with contemporary composition, two-metro-area presenting, music education and community-based access programs.

• Concert series · 1916

  Mainstage symphonic concerts

  The BSO's principal offering is a season of orchestral concerts at Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall and the Music Center at Strathmore. Programs combine canonical symphonic repertory, concertos, choral collaborations, premieres and appearances by guest conductors and soloists.

• New music

  Contemporary music commissions

  The orchestra commissions and premieres works by living composers. Documented projects include music by Christopher Rouse, Steven Stucky, Stephen Albert, John Harbison, Philip Glass, John Adams and Jonathan Leshnoff, reinforcing the BSO's role as a platform for American composition.

• Community education · 2008

  OrchKids

  OrchKids is a free after-school program offering music instruction, instruments, meals and mentorship to children in Baltimore communities with limited resources. It operates with schools, civic groups and educational partners and uses professional teaching musicians alongside classroom staff.

• Youth orchestra · 2012

  Baltimore Symphony Youth Orchestras

  The youth-orchestra program provides ensemble training and performance opportunities for student musicians at different ages and skill levels. Its activities include rehearsals, seasonal concerts and a concerto competition in which ensemble members can perform as soloists.

• Amateur musician education

  BSO Academy

  The BSO Academy is an intensive study program for amateur musicians. Participants receive coaching, rehearse repertoire and perform in an orchestra-oriented learning environment connected to BSO musicians and conductors.

• Community performance · 2010

  Rusty Musicians with the BSO

  Rusty Musicians invites adult amateur instrumentalists to rehearse and perform selected repertoire alongside Baltimore Symphony musicians. The program extends the orchestra's participation model beyond professional performers and creates a direct public entry point into orchestral music-making.

• School outreach

  BSO on the Go and Side-by-Side

  BSO on the Go brings small ensembles into schools for interactive workshops, while Side-by-Side concerts allow student musicians to rehearse and perform with BSO players. Together, the programs connect the orchestra's professional work with school-based music learning.

• 2019

  Musician lockout and labor dispute

  The orchestra locked out its musicians during contract negotiations. A central issue was whether the ensemble would continue operating as a 52-week-per-year orchestra.

  Source

• 2005

  Controversy over music-director selection

  Alsop's appointment prompted controversy after orchestra players reportedly felt they had not received enough voice in the search process. The musicians and Alsop subsequently met and resolved their differences.

  Source

Read more

• 2022Concert supporting Ukraine

  Baltimore

  Jonathon Heyward returned as guest conductor for a charity concert supporting Ukraine.

  Source
• 2010Rusty Musicians with the BSO

  Baltimore · North Bethesda

  A participatory program invited adult amateur musicians to rehearse and perform with BSO members, beginning with a large Strathmore event.

  Outcome. The initial event attracted more than 400 participants and was repeated at Meyerhoff Symphony Hall later that year.

  Source
• 2008OrchKids

  Baltimore City

  A free, community-based after-school initiative providing instruments, music instruction, meals and mentorship to children in low-income neighborhoods.

  Outcome. Expanded into a continuing multi-school program serving hundreds of students with professional teaching staff and community partners.

  Source

• 2022

  Appoint Jonathon Heyward as music directorOther

  Background

  Following Marin Alsop's completed tenure and an interim period involving artistic advising, the BSO selected a new long-term artistic leader.

  Action taken

  The orchestra appointed Heyward to begin in the 2023–2024 season under an initial five-year contract.

  Aftermath

  Heyward became the first conductor of color to serve as the BSO's music director; his contract was later extended through 2030–2031.

  Source

• 2020

  Preserve 52-week orchestra status during restructuringStrategy

  Background

  The decision followed the 2019 lockout and financial losses associated in part with the COVID-19 pandemic.

  Action taken

  Management and musicians agreed to retain 52-week-per-year employment while accepting pay reductions.

  Aftermath

  The agreement preserved the orchestra's full-year operating model while addressing short-term financial pressure.

  Musician compensation. Reduced (2020 agreement)

  Source

• 2008

  Launch OrchKidsStrategy

  Background

  The orchestra sought to deepen its civic and educational role in Baltimore neighborhoods with limited access to music instruction.

  Action taken

  It launched a free after-school program combining music education, instruments, meals and mentorship.

  Aftermath

  The program developed into a continuing multi-school initiative supported by public-school and community partnerships.

  Source

• 2005

  Establish a second year-round metropolitan residenceStrategy

  Background

  The opening of the Music Center at Strathmore created an opportunity to serve audiences in the Washington-area part of Maryland while retaining the Baltimore base.

  Action taken

  The BSO became the founding partner and resident orchestra of the new North Bethesda venue.

  Aftermath

  The organization became the first American orchestra with year-round venues in two metropolitan areas.

  Source

1. 1Baltimore Symphony Orchestraen.wikipedia.org
2. 2Baltimore Symphony Orchestra official websitebsomusic.org