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Students to Experience the Masterworks of Bach and Beethoven at the Maryland Theatre

HAGERSTOWN, Md. – October 12, 2017 – The Maryland Symphony Orchestra, Elizabeth Schulze conducting, will perform for nearly 1,100 Washington County middle and high school students at the Maryland Theatre on Friday October 13 at 10:00 a.m. for a student masterworks performance. Musical selections include highlights from the “Bach to Beethoven…and Beyond!” concert scheduled to be performed at the theatre this weekend.

“The Maryland Symphony is thrilled to continue to expand our education and community programs as we launch our 2017-18 season of concerts” said Stephen Beaudoin, Executive Director of the Maryland Symphony Orchestra. “The sold-out attendance from twelve schools from Washington County for Friday’s Masterworks youth concert represents almost 1,100 students: this is one of our best-attended season-opening youth concerts in recent history.”

Schools in attendance will include the Barbara Ingram School for the Arts, Boonsboro High School, Clear Spring High School, North Hagerstown High School, Smithsburg High School, South Hagerstown High School, Williamsport High School, E. Russell Hicks Middle School, Northern Middle School, Springfield Middle School, Western Heights Middle School, and Hancock Elementary.

The longstanding partnership and collaboration between the Washington County Public Schools and the MSO make this event possible for area students year after year. “We extend our deep appreciation to all our partnering schools, school administrators, and of course the hard-working, dedicated teachers that are so deeply committed to ensuring academic excellence through robust access to and participation in music and all the arts” says Beaudoin.

This concert is one of many performed throughout the year by the MSO for school age children. The concert will feature musical selections taken directly from the classical repertoire to be performed as part of the regularly scheduled MSO concert this weekend. Selections include JS Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto No. 3, Heitor Villa Lobos’ Bachianas Brasileiras 9, JC Bach’s Artaserse Overture, and the third and fourth movements of Beethoven’s Symphony No. 1.

Music Director Elizabeth Schulze will provide students with both background information on the music and insight to the role of classical music and its importance in our culture and society. The target audience is students in middle and upper grade levels, but participation was open to all schools.

Area residents may be most familiar with the MSO’s youth concerts, sponsored by Citibank, that take place each spring. In   partnership with Carnegie Hall’s Weill Music Institute, the MSO delivers the “Link Up” program in our community. Designed for younger children, more than 4,000 regional 3rd and 4th graders are given the opportunity to join the orchestra in this highly participatory program, in which they learn to sing and play an instrument in the classroom and perform with the Maryland Symphony Orchestra from their seats at a culminating concert at the Maryland Theatre. All classroom materials and resources for these concerts are provided at no charge to the school, teacher, or students. 

Music education has been a core mission of the Maryland Symphony Orchestra since its founding in 1982. In that time, the musicians, staff, and Music Director Elizabeth Schulze, have worked tirelessly, along with community partners, to develop programs for area students that complement and enhance the music curriculum currently available in their schools. Each year, more than 10,000 children’s lives are touched by the MSO.

For more information about upcoming educational programs and offerings or to purchase tickets for an upcoming concert, call 301-797-4000 or go online at www.marylandsymphony.org.  Tickets may also be purchased at the MSO Box Office at 30 W. Washington Street, Hagerstown. The Maryland Theatre is located at 21 S. Potomac Street, Hagerstown.

ABOUT MARYLAND SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

Founded in 1982, Maryland Symphony Orchestra is celebrating its 36th season as the area’s premier professional orchestra.  Under the musical direction of Maestra Elizabeth Schulze, the Maryland Symphony Orchestra is dedicated to providing musical performances that educate and entertain, while enhancing the cultural environment of Western Maryland and the surrounding region. Learn more: www.marylandsymphony.org

VENUE INFORMATION

Built in 1915, designed by renowned architect Thomas Lamb, the Maryland Theatre is the anchor to the Arts & Entertainment district in downtown Hagerstown. The Theatre provides comfortable seating for 1,300 at performances of country artists, comedians, children's shows, recitals, stage shows, and more. Since 1982, the Theatre has been the official home of the Maryland Symphony Orchestra. The Maryland Theatre welcomes approximately 120,000 people through her doors annually. The Maryland Theatre is located at 21 S. Potomac Street, Hagerstown, MD 21740.

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MEDIA CONTACTS

Michael Harp
Maryland Symphony Orchestra
Director of Marketing & Public Relations
301-797-4000 x101
mharp@marylandsymphony.org

Katherine Woolsey
Maryland Symphony Orchestra
Operations Manager and Education Coordinator
301-797-4000 x103
kwoolsey@marylandsymphony.org