This week on Spotlight On Maryland, Gina Crash was joined in studio by two leading voices from the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, (BSO), Allison Burr-Livingstone, Senior VP & Chief Advancement & Communications Officer, and Nick Skinner, VP of OrchKids, one of the nation's most impactful community programs. There was much to talk about including a new, multi-year agreement with the Orchestra and the renewal of BSO Music Director Jonathon Heyward that extends his exciting artistic vision for the BSO with continuity and growth. Allison shared what's coming up this season at the BSO featuring diverse programming that includes family, classical, pops, holiday and special events.
The BSO is truly Maryland's orchestra, with the unique distinction of being the only major American ensemble that calls two permanent homes-Baltimore at the Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony, and Montgomery County at the Music Center at Strathmore. The BSO is dedicated to making the power of music accessible to all. Their commitment extends beyond performance, investing deeply in education, outreach, and building connections that unite communities across the state. With a strong focus on lifelong learning and innovative programs for families, students and audiences of all backgrounds, the BSO strives to inspire and engage both onstage and off.
The mission of OrchKids is to provide Baltimore youth with equitable access to community-based, high-quality music instruction and programming that teaches musical and social skills transferrable to all areas of their lives. Founded in 2008 with 30 students at one elementary school with seed funding from Marin Alsop and Founding Donors Rheda Becker and Robert E. Meyerhoff, OrchKids now works with 8 schools in Baltimore City, serving over 2,000 children from Pre-K through 12th grade during school and after school at 10 sites including a Summer Program at Goucher College.
To find out more about the BSO and OrchKids, visit bsomusic.org and orchkids.org. You can also find the BSO on Facebook, X, Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn and OrchKids on Instagram, Facebook X and YouTube.
Click the media player below to listen to the interview and find out more.