Baltimore Symphony Orchestra

About this Organization

For over a century, the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra (BSO) has been recognized as one of America’s leading orchestras and one of Maryland’s most significant cultural institutions. Founded in 1916 as a branch of the Baltimore City municipal government, the BSO reorganized as a private institution in 1942. We remain the first and only American orchestra with year-round venues in two distinct metropolitan areas, both specifically designed with the BSO in mind (The Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall in Baltimore City and The Music Center at Strathmore in North Bethesda, Montgomery County). Artistically, the BSO has a long and rich history of recording, commissioning, and touring. We made musical history in 2007 when Marin Alsop became the Orchestra’s 12th Music Director – the first woman to head a major American orchestra; and again, in 2022, with the announcement of (then) 29-year-old Jonathon Heyward as Music Director Designate, the first Music Director of color in our history and only the second person of color to lead a major American orchestra when he assumes the position in 2023. Our ~150 performances, programs, and presentations reach an annual audience of ~375,000 through in-person and digital experiences. We present a wide range of musical forms including orchestral works from the classical repertoire, world premieres of new music, musical theatre, popular music, jazz, multi-cultural and interdisciplinary programming, film scores, and more. We are especially proud of our responsiveness to public demand and evolving audience interests, offering something for everyone including a robust array of programming for all ages. Visit our website for more information!