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Maryland Symphony Orchestra Announces Contract Extension of Elizabeth Schulze

HAGERSTOWN, Md. – July 29, 2020 – Maryland Symphony Orchestra Board President Melinda Marsden has announced that Music Director Elizabeth Schulze has agreed to renew her contract through 2024.  Schulze has just completed her 20th season as the artistic leader of the organization.  During her tenure, the orchestra has continued to achieve new artistic heights, recently collaborating with Sharon Isbin, the world’s foremost guitar soloist.  The MSO is featured on Sharon’s critically acclaimed CD entitled “Affinity” after the composition by Chris Brubeck (son of Jazz great, Dave Brubeck) that was commissioned by the orchestra and recorded last year.

In making the announcement, Marsden said “Elizabeth's skills and knowledge have been instrumental in developing the MSO into an amazing orchestra. She has used her abilities to extend our educational offerings and has stressed the need for music to represent all people. Her interest in new music displays itself in the number of world and regional premiers of newly composed works and the number of works from living composers. She especially presents offerings from women and minority composers.  She is an amazing woman and we are fortunate to have her here.”

During this pandemic “Intermission” Ms. Schulze has been curating and hosting weekly online concerts drawn from the MSO’s archive of concert recordings to display the MSO to a wider world and to keep our local audience connected during a period of shut-down.  She is also taking a deeper role in the continued development of online educational content for students who will not be able to attend school in person this fall.

“I am deeply grateful to the board of the Maryland Symphony Orchestra for their continued support of my work for the MSO. It is such a privilege to serve this community through music. In partnership with my brilliant colleagues in the orchestra, I look forward to continuing our ongoing mission to educate, entertain and enhance the cultural life of our region, providing music for everyone.

The MSO plans to begin its subscription season in late January, even if some distancing is still required.  Plans are underway to offer a livestream option for remote concert attendance.  More details will be available on their website soon at www.marylandsymphony.org.

ABOUT MARYLAND SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

Founded in 1982, Maryland Symphony Orchestra is celebrating its 38th 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