April 29, 2009

Maryland Symphony Orchestra Presents 24th Annual Youth Concerts

Hagerstown, MD—The Maryland Symphony Orchestra will present its annual Youth Concerts on Wednesday, May 6 at 11:00 a.m. and Thursday, May 7 at 9:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.  All concerts will take place at the historic Maryland Theatre in downtown Hagerstown.  

Since 1985, nearly 80,000 students have attended these concerts that are specially programmed for fourth grade students.  Students receive instruction about the instruments of the orchestra, composers and the works to be performed prior to the concerts through classroom materials and student guides provided by the MSO.  Over 3,500 students from public, private and home schools throughout Washington County and the four-state region will have the opportunity to attend this year’s concerts.  These concerts are not open to the public. 

Music Director Elizabeth Schulze will preside over the concerts entitled “Cowboys & Instruments.”  Musical selections will include John Williams’ Cowboys Overture (from the movie The Cowboys), Gioachino Rossini’s William Tell Overture and various cowboy-themed selections written by Aaron Copland. 

The MSO is supported by a grant from the Maryland State Arts Council (MSAC), an agency dedicated to cultivating a vibrant cultural community where the arts thrive.  An agency of the Department of Business and Economic Development, the MSAC provides financial support and technical assistance to non-profit organizations, units of government, colleges and universities for arts activities.