The Baltimore Chamber Orchestra (BCO) will make its debut at Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall on Sunday, May 31, 2026, at 7:30 PM with “The Best of Baltimore,” a bold musical showcase that bridges the orchestra’s captivating concert experiences with the city’s rich cultural legacy. Led by Music Director Robert Moody, the concert marks a historical milestone for the 42-year-old ensemble as the orchestra performs before a national audience of music industry leaders during the League of American Orchestras 2026 National Conference.
“This debut is both a statement for the BCO and a celebration of Baltimore’s global cultural impact,” said Moody. “Baltimore is a city of striking contrasts, deep history and fearless creativity and ‘The Best of Baltimore’ honors that remarkable legacy in front of a national audience by showcasing composers with Baltimore roots alongside celebrated masterworks performed by the BCO’s world-class musicians.”
The evening opens with Baltimore-born Frank Zappa’s G-Spot Tornado followed by UMBC graduate and Baltimore native Karena Ingram’s Animals of the Solstice: Calm of the Equinox. Internationally acclaimed cellist Bryan Cheng joins the orchestra to perform Grammy Award-winning composer Mason Bates’ Cello Concerto before Maestro Moody concludes the concert with his signature interpretation of Ludwig van Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7.
“I am thrilled that our musicians have the opportunity to share their talents with their peers from orchestras around the country during ‘The Best of Baltimore,’” Richard D. Miles, the BCO’s President of the Board of Trustees shared. “Baltimore is one of only 15 American cities with both a top-tier Symphony Orchestra and a Chamber Orchestra thanks to the hundreds of professional musicians who call Baltimore home and the incredible community of music lovers who support the city’s vast network of performing arts organizations year after year. I look forward to welcoming the League of American Orchestras’ constituents to Baltimore during their National Conference and demonstrating why our city has become an international cultural destination.”
Tickets are available through the Meyerhoff’s box office and online at my.bsomusic.org/overview/20311. A limited number of free student tickets are also available. Email info@thebco.org to learn more.
The Baltimore Chamber Orchestra (BCO) is a distinguished, vibrant ensemble with a 40+ year history of presenting high-quality performances that have significantly enhanced the cultural vibrancy of Baltimore and its surrounding communities. Characterized by its reputation for artistic excellence, community programs, and a commitment to nurturing both established and emerging talent, the BCO attracts world-class soloists, composers, and conductors, performing a wide range of classical and contemporary works. BCO has commissioned numerous works from contemporary composers, recorded and released professional albums, and embarked on successful national and international tours, further establishing its reputation on the global stage.
The BCO has recorded three CDs released by Naxos Records, toured in China, and presented a New York debut praised by The New York Times. Building on the legacies of past Music Directors Anne Harrigan and Markand Thakar, Maestro Robert Moody was named BCO’s Music Director in the summer of 2024. The orchestra’s roster features thirty-five of the area’s best professional musicians who perform in Goucher College’s Kraushaar Auditorium and Notre Dame Maryland University’s LeClerc Hall. A committed and enthusiastic Board of Trustees composed of 17 community leaders grounded in their dedication to artistic innovation, education, and community engagement oversee the organization’s operations, generate numerous partnerships to grow the orchestra’s visibility, and expand BCO’s legacy as a cherished and enduring presence in the nation’s classical music scene.
