Baltimore Symphony Orchestra

From left to right: Baltimore County Exec Johnny Olszewski, Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott, Maryland First Lady Dawn Moore, Maryland Governor Wes Moore, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra Director Jonathon Heyward, Howard County Executive Calvin Ball and others at an event about the 2023 'Summer with the Symphony' series from the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra. Photo by Emily Hofstaedter/WYPR.

WYPR News

Maryland gives $500k to BSO summer touring program

Emily Hofstaedter

“This investment will not just spread sounds, it will spread hope.”

Wordsmith, aka Anthony Parker, is an award-winning, Baltimore-based hip hop recording artist, performer, educator and global music ambassador. (photo credit: Wordsmith)

Programs

Wordsmith: Sharing the power of his music with local students

Tom Hall

The celebrated hip hop and spoken word composer, recording artist and educator discusses his local youth training projects and his non-profit educational venture, Rise With a Purpose.

Jonathon Heyward is an internationally renowned young conductor who was tapped last year as the Music Director-Designate of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra. Heyward begins his five-year contract with the BSO this May. (photo credit: Jeremy Ayres Fischer)

Programs

Jonathon Heyward: A conversation with the BSO's new music director

Tom Hall

The internationally acclaimed young conductor joins us to discuss his new role as maestro with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, and his ambitious plans for the 2023-24 season.

The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra (BSO) has been recognized for more than a century as one of America’s premier orchestras and one of Maryland’s most important cultural institutions. The orchestra is internationally renowned and locally admired for its performances and recordings and its community and youth-oriented educational programs. (photo courtesy BSO)

Programs

CEO Mark Hanson: The new era for the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra

Tom Hall

The new president and CEO of the BSO discusses what's ahead for the orchestra's 2023-24 season and beyond, under the baton of its dynamic new maestro, Jonathon Heyward.

The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra has found its next music director in 30-year-old conductor Jonathon Heyward. Credit: Laura Thiesbrummel

Programs

Baltimore Symphony's next conductor, Jonathon Heyward, on finding musical chemistry

Sheilah Kast

Conductor Jonathon Heyward has been named the next head of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra. The 30-year-old will be the groups’ youngest and first Black music director. We hear about his rapid rise to acclaim.

Wordsmith is a Baltimore-based rapper and spoken-word artist and owner of NU Revolution Entertainment, an independent recording label. (photo courtesy ShoreFire Media)

Programs

Wordsmith, on his musical craft and upcoming local performances

Tom Hall

The local spoken word artist talks about his upcoming performances with Kory Caudill at the Concert for the Human Family, and with the Baltimore Symphony.

WYPR News

Back Together: BSO Musicians And Management Agree On One Year Contract

Mary Rose Madden

It’s been months of uncertainty for the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra and all those who worry about the future of the city's cultural icon. But after a…

WYPR News

BSO Likely to Cancel Upcoming Concerts After Musicians Reject Contract Offer

Emily Sullivan

Baltimore Symphony Orchestra musicians have voted overwhelmingly to reject what a union spokesman called an “unacceptable” contract. As a result, the…

WYPR News

BSO, Other Cultural Organizations Getting Less Money From Baltimore County This Year

John Lee

Despite the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra’s financial straits, Baltimore County is reducing the amount of money it usually gives to the orchestra.…

WYPR News

Locked-Out Baltimore Symphony Musicians Continue Picketing Meyerhoff

Emily Sullivan

When violent unrest spread through Baltimore’s streets after the 2015 death in police custody of Freddie Gray, the Orioles did something unprecedented.…