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MSO Symphony Ball Raises Over $110,000

HAGERSTOWN, Md. – November 5, 2017 – On Saturday, November 4, 2017, the Maryland Symphony Orchestra held its annual Symphony Ball gala at Fountain Head Country Club in Hagerstown. The elegant evening brought to life a “Venetian Masquerade” theme and featured musical performances, live and silent auctions, a wall of wine, a raffle, and other opportunities for attendees to showcase their support of the MSO’s performance, education, and community engagement programs. Approximately 190 donors and supporters were in attendance and the evening raised over $110,000, an all-time high gala fundraising record in the 36 year history of the organization.

“All of us at the Maryland Symphony are absolutely thrilled and honored by this incredible show of community support” says Stephen Marc Beaudoin, Executive Director of the MSO. “The MSO has been helping to build a stronger and more vibrant community through music performance, education, and community engagement for over 35 years, and this record-setting Symphony Ball gala proves that the best is yet to come for the MSO.”

Guests enjoyed performances from the Maryland Symphony Orchestra string quartet, Frostburg State University singers Marse Romero and David Cook, emerging singers Morgen Zwicharowski and Daniela Cardenas from the Barbara Ingram School for the Arts; pianist Brenda Slick; and the Hagerstown-based old-school funk band East Coast Stroke. Pieter Bickford served as Master of Ceremonies for the evening.

“Hundreds of generous supporters came together to help us achieve this record-setting result, and on behalf of the board and staff of the Maryland Symphony, I want to express our tremendous gratitude and appreciation for the generous show of support at this event” said Beaudoin. “We’ll be harnessing the power of this support to build even stronger, more strategic programs in the days and months ahead, so that every family in our community can access and be engaged with the power of live music.”

The annual Symphony Ball gala is the single largest fundraising event the Maryland Symphony Orchestra holds. This year, the MSO raised over $110,000 to support its programming and initiatives. Special focus was given to the impact of educational outreach provided by the organization. Every year the MSO touches the lives of more than 10,000 children within the region through Kinder Konzerts, youth concerts, Symphony Saturdays, ensembles in the schools, and free tickets for children to many of the concerts performed at the Maryland Theatre. The money raised assures the continuation of these educational programs and the many other live musical performances at the Maryland Theatre and elsewhere.

According to Beaudoin, “Our work doesn’t end with this successful fundraiser. It simply begins again. Every day, we’re working to make the case for why music matters, and helping to create a stronger Washington County and western Maryland through our performance, education, and community programs. We look forward to seeing everyone at one of our MSO concerts or education programs this season, and for many years to come.”

The Maryland Symphony Orchestra’s 2018 Symphony Ball gala will be held on Saturday, November 3, 2018.

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.