Marin Alsop
Photo: Grant Leighton
The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra (BSO) announces that Music Director Marin Alsop will continue her commitment to the Orchestra with the signing of a six-year contract that extends from September 2015 to August 2021, her second contract renewal with the Orchestra. Alsop began her tenure as the Orchestra’s 12th music director in September 2007; in 2009 she renewed her contract through 2015.
Heralded for revitalizing the Orchestra in her early tenure, Marin Alsop continues to enhance the overall strength of the organization by upholding the highest of artistic standards, creating new access points for community members of all backgrounds and building audiences by transforming the concert experience. Her bold programming and artistic leadership have garnered repeat invitations to Carnegie Hall, secured recordings on major labels and earned critical acclaim.
She has launched several progressive initiatives that have attracted national attention for the BSO as a leader in how a symphony orchestra in the 21st century can increase its relevance in the community. She has overseen the development of programs like OrchKids, the El Sistema-inspired music program for youth in Baltimore that provides music lessons, tutoring and life enrichment opportunities for now more than 600 children. She has capitalized on BSO audiences’ interest in direct, hands-on participation in the arts by developing side-by-side programs like the BSO Academy and Rusty Musicians, which allow adult amateur musicians the chance to share the stage with the professional musicians of the BSO.
Notable, too, is how these efforts have positively affected the BSO’s ticket sales and contributed income. The season prior to Ms. Alsop’s arrival, capacity averaged 58% at the Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall and 77% at Strathmore Arts Center. In the most recent season (2012-2013), capacity is up to 70% at the Meyerhoff and 80% at Strathmore.
