February 17, 2005
THE MARYLAND SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA FEATURES WORLD PREMIERE BALLET DURING ANNUAL FAMILY CONCERT

HAGERSTOWN, MD - - The Maryland Symphony Orchestra and Music Director Elizabeth Schulze present “Stories in Music,” the annual Family Concert, on Saturday, March 5 at 5:00 p.m. at the Maryland Theatre.

Stories in Music features the premier of a new ballet, Alexandra, Keeper of Dreams, based on the book by Waynesboro author Mary Alice Baumgardner. Narrated by Ms. Baumgardner, this charming tale of a dancing duck that lives at the Hagerstown City Park will be performed by the Potomac Classical Youth Ballet. A book signing will be held in the lobby of the theatre after the concert.

The Potomac Classical Youth Ballet is also featured in the MSO performance of Saint-Saens’ Carnival of the Animals. Bob Heck, best known to Maryland Public Television audiences as “Bob the Vid Tech,” will narrate Carnival, which is set to the poems of Bruce Adolphe.

The MSO will host a special pre-concert event, Alexandra’s Dreamy Duckling Tea Party, from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Marcel’s Restaurant, 43 South Potomac Street, Hagerstown. Ballet members in full costume will provide tea party service and Ms. Baumgardner will share her own story of the creation of Alexandra, including the process of illustrating the book. Tea Party attendance to limited to the first 75 guests and tickets must be purchased by February 26.

Once again this year, the MSO is partnering with Food Resources Inc. to sponsor a food drive on the day of the concert. Non-perishables can be dropped off in front of the Maryland Theatre from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. WLTF radio will broadcast live from the food drive.

Celebration Sponsors for “Stories in Music” are First Data and Hecht’s. The Maryland Symphony Orchestra Guild is Associate Sponsor. Additional sponsorship is provided by JLG and April Dowler and John League. The Family Concert is also made possible in part by grants from the Maryland State Arts Council, the Washington County Arts Council, the Washington Country Board of Commissioners, and the Washington County Gaming Commission.

Tickets for “Stories in Music” are $10 for children 12 and under and $17 for adults, and Special Event tickets for the Tea Party and the concert are $18 children and $25 adults. All tickets are available at the Maryland Symphony Orchestra Box Office at 13 S. Potomac Street in Hagerstown, Maryland, or by calling 301-797-4000.