Baltimore Symphony Orchestra Announces Summer Series

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Summer Nights 2009 features Star-Spangled Spectacular, Psycho, Beethoven’s Ninth and a Pink Floyd tribute

The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra announced today its Summer Nights 2009 concert season including a celebration of the silver screen, a tribute to Pink Floyd, the great classic Beethoven’s Ninth and an opportunity for younger singers to share the stage with the BSO. Beginning Friday, July 3 with the annual Star-Spangled Spectacular at Oregon Ridge Park, the BSO’s summer will season sizzle at five venues: its two year-round homes, the Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall (Baltimore) and The Music Center at Strathmore (North Bethesda); the Orchestra’s outdoor summer venue, Oregon Ridge Park (Cockeysville); Pier Six Pavilion (Baltimore’s Inner Harbor); and Merriweather Post Pavilion (Columbia). In addition to its Summer Nights programs, the BSO will offer a free one-hour concert on Saturday, July 18 as part of Artscape, Baltimore’s annual free celebration of the arts.

Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall and The Music Center at Strathmore:
Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho, The Magical Music of Disney and Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony

The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra’s summer at the Meyerhoff and Strathmore begins with a scream! On Thursday, July 9 at 8:00 p.m. at The Music Center at Strathmore and Friday, July 10 at 7:30 p.m. at the Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall, audiences will watch Alfred Hitchcock’s terrifying film noir classic Psycho, shown with the original voice track, while Constantine Kitsopoulos leads the BSO in a live performance of Bernard Herrmann’s score, famous for its screeching, piercing violins.

On Thursday, July 16 at 8:00 p.m. at The Music Center at Strathmore and Friday, July 17 at 7:30 p.m. at the Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall, the BSO welcomes the entire family for The Magical Music of Disney. Patrons of all ages will enjoy images from Disney classics such as The Lion King, Aladdin, The Little Mermaid, Mary Poppins and Beauty and the Beast projected above the stage and brought to life with live symphonic music performed by the BSO, under the direction of Steven Reineke. Disney fans, both young and young-at-heart, are encouraged to dress up as their favorite Disney characters.

The Baltimore Choral Arts Society joins the BSO to conclude the summer season with Beethoven’s majestic Symphony No. 9 on Thursday, July 23 at 8:00 p.m. at The Music Center at Strathmore and Friday, July 24 at 7:30 p.m. at the Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall, conducted by Günther Herbig. Composed when Beethoven was completely deaf, this monumental work for choir and symphony is one of the great classics.

A flavorful addition to the summertime fun, all summer concerts at the Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall will offer concessions including grilled food favorites. The Music Center at Strathmore offers three different hot entrees and American-style tapas on the patio (available most nights).

Concerts at Oregon Ridge Park: Fireworks and Fun

For more than 20 years, the BSO at Oregon Ridge Park has been a Baltimore-area summer tradition, drawing tens of thousands for family fun, music and fireworks in the wooded enclaves of Cockeysville. Gates will open at 5:00 p.m. and local vendors will be onsite with food and beverages available for purchase. Concertgoers are invited to bring lawn chairs, blankets and picnics for a full evening of entertainment with the BSO. Each concert begins at 8:00 p.m. and concludes with a brilliant fireworks display.

The festivities kick off July 3 and 4 with the Star-Spangled Spectacular, an all-American salute to our nation’s founding. Guest conductor Damon Gupton leads this celebration, which includes patriotic favorites such as Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture and Sousa’s Stars and Stripes Forever. Each concert will begin with the National Anthem, led by the winner(s) of the BSO’s second annual “Oh, Say Can You Sing?” singing competition.

The BSO will perform Academy Award winner John Williams’ songs from the silver screen performed under the stars. On Saturday, July 25 the BSO will perform The Music of John Williams, conducted by Steven Reineke and featuring memorable movie themes from films such as Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Superman, E.T., Jurassic Park and more.

BSO Rocks with the Music of Pink Floyd at Pier Six Pavilion

Located in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor, Pier Six Pavilion’s covered outdoor venue hosts dozens of famous acts each summer and is a popular destination for tourists and Baltimore locals alike. Under the baton of Brent Havens, the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra will rock the pavilion with Pink Floyd hits on Saturday, July 18 at 8:00 p.m. at Pier Six Pavilion in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor. Fans will enjoy classics including “Uncomfortably Numb,” “Money” and “Learning to Fly” with a live rock band backed by the orchestral power of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra. Guest vocalist Randy Jackson will bring these audience favorites to life.

BSO Performs Bugs Bunny at Merriweather Post Pavilion

Warner Bros. Studio presents Bugs Bunny on Broadway, performed by the Baltimore Symphony and created and conducted by George Daugherty on Saturday, July 11 at 8:30 p.m. Classic Bugs Bunny cartoons will play onscreen while the Baltimore Symphony plays the music in perfect synchronization.

BSO Offers Free Public Concert and Activities at Artscape

As part of Artscape, Baltimore City’s celebration of the arts and the largest arts festival of its kind in the nation, the BSO continues its annual tradition of performing a free one-hour concert on Saturday, July 18 at 3:00 p.m., conducted by BSO assistant principal viola Christian Colberg. The Meyerhoff lobby will open at noon for free tours and an instrument petting zoo. Full details on the BSO performance and other Artscape events will be available at Artscape.org in early June.

“Oh, Say Can You Sing” contest details: “Oh, Say Can You Sing” the National Anthem with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra? Capitalizing on American Idol’s appeal among local tweens and teens for the second year, the BSO will host the singing competition, “Oh Say Can You Sing.” Auditions will take place on Monday, June 15 from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall. Contestants will vie for the chance to sing the national anthem alongside the BSO in front of thousands at the BSO’s annual Star-Spangled Spectacular concerts held at Oregon Ridge Park, July 3-4. The competition is open to singers ages 8 to 18.

Contestants must be able to sing the “Star-Spangled Banner” in the key of B-flat or A-flat major along with an accompanist provided by the BSO. All entrants must be available for both performances. Reagan Warfield from the 106.5 FM Mix Morning Show with Jo-Jo and Reagan will serve as celebrity judge alongside BSO staff members and local vocal experts. Contestants will be judged on singing ability and stage presence.

Auditions will be by appointment only and parental permission will be required of all contestants under the age of 18. Contestants (or contestant’s parent/guardian) must email singingcontest@bsomusic.org by 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, June 11, 2009 to register for an audition time. Registration must include the contestant’s name, email address, home and cell phone numbers, audition time preference and a brief paragraph explaining why the contestant would like to sing the national anthem with the BSO. Audition times will be distributed on a “first come, first served” basis. Visit BSOmusic.org to download an information/waiver form which is required to audition.

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