The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra‘s will mark the return of its free three-concert community series, Symphony in the City, starting with the first performance later this month at Morgan State University.
The first of three concerts will take place on Sept. 18 at 7:30 p.m. at Gilliam Concert Hall in the Murphy Fine Arts Center. Led by BSO Music Director Jonathon Heyward, the concert will feature selections from Beethoven’s Symphony No. 6, “Pastoral.” The performance will also showcase compositions by James Lee III, BSO’s new Composer in Residence.
“Beginning our season with a community concert at Morgan State University is deeply meaningful,” Heyward said. “This performance not only begins our musical journey for the year but also continues the BSO’s tradition of bringing music directly to the heart of Baltimore, honoring the Symphony’s roots as an orchestra founded by the city for its people.”
The Symphony in the City series intentionally aligns concerts and venues with community celebrations. Holding the first concert at Morgan State University marks the start of the new academic year, and honors the school’s connection to Lee, who is a faculty member at the university — Maryland’s largest historically Black university. Lee’s BSO residency will feature two world premieres during the 2024-25 concert season. It will also encompass an educational element with students from BSO OrchKids and the Baltimore School of the Arts, including compositions, mentorship, and workshop performances.
“The fact that the Morgan community, and the surrounding community at large, will have an opportunity to experience the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, led by their new Music Director Jonathon Heyward, live on our campus, is simply amazing,” said Eric Conway, chair of the Fine and Performing Arts Department and director of the choir at Morgan State University. “This moment is further elevated by having the work of a respected Morgan faculty member, Dr. James Lee III, on display for all to enjoy. We are fortunate and thankful to the BSO for selecting Morgan as the location for the season’s first Symphony in the City concert.”
The Symphony in the City series will have performances across Baltimore, including a tribute to veterans on Nov. 20 at War Memorial, and a celebration of Black History Month on Feb. 7 at the Reginald F. Lewis Museum.
The first concert of the series program that Jonathon Heyward is conducting is below:
- BEETHOVEN Symphony No. 6, “Pastoral,” I. Awakening of cheerful feelings on arrival in the countryside
- LEE III Amer’ican
- BEETHOVEN Symphony No. 6, “Pastoral,” II. Scene by the brook
LEE III Captivating Personas, III. Bored Comfort - BEETHOVEN Symphony No. 6, “Pastoral,” IV. Thunderstorm
- BEETHOVEN Symphony No. 6, “Pastoral,” V. Shepherd’s song: Cheerful and thankful feelings after the storm
The concert will take place on Wednesday, Sept. 18 at 7:30 p.m., at Gilliam Concert Hall, Murphy Fine Arts Center, Morgan State University, located at 2201 Argonne Drive, Baltimore, MD.
Symphony in the City remains free to all. Reservations are appreciated, but not required. To make reservations and learn more about the series, click this link.
