MSO begins new season with a star performance and pre-concert 'Inspirations' for patrons

The Herald-Mail, USA TODAY NETWORK
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The Maryland Symphony Orchestra's new season opens Oct. 14 at the Maryland Theatre with a performance of Berlioz’s “Symphonie Fantastique” featuring Tim Fain, an internationally acclaimed violinist.

The performance Symphonie Fantastique is Saturday, Oct. 14, at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, Oct. 15 , at 3 p.m. at The Maryland Theatre, 21 S. Potomac St., Hagerstown, with Conductor Elizabeth Schulze and Violinist Tim Fain. The cost of admission is from $29 to $79. For tickets, go to marylandsymphony.my.salesforce-sites.com/ticket#/ or call 301-797-4000. Also, for those with a valid Symphonie Fantastique concert ticket to MSO Inspirations: Symphonie Fantastique, a pre-concert experience will be held Saturday, Oct. 14, at 6 p.m. at Bulls and Bears Pub and Eatery, 38 S. Potomac St., Hagerstown. Light refreshments will be served. For more information, go to marylandsymphony.my.salesforce-sites.com/ticket#/.

Fain wrote the musical score and performed on the Grammy-nominated soundtrack to the film “Black Swan” and has performed as the featured violinist on the soundtracks to the Oscar-winning films “12 Years a Slave” and “Moonlight.”

The new season also marks the launch of "MSO Inspirations," a new pre-concert experience that is being held at Bulls & Bears restaurant across South Potomac Street from the theater.

"Inspirations" is free to all ticket holders, and will feature light refreshments, complimentary wines and entertainment by local and regional artists, according to a news release from MSO.

Three Inspirations events have been scheduled for the season, and the first is set to begin before the Oct. 14 concert, at 6 p.m. at the restaurant. More events are planned for Nov. 11 and Feb. 10.

Inspirations is being sponsored by the James & Mary Schurz Foundation.

"This innovative initiative aligns perfectly with our mission to advance the arts and enrich our community," Schurz Foundation President Mary Schurz said in the release. "'Inspirations' promises to break down barriers and make classical music more accessible, and we are excited to be a part of this journey. The power of music to inspire and connect is undeniable, and we believe that this program will bring the joy of symphonic marvels to a broader audience. We look forward to witnessing the positive impact 'Inspirations' will have on our community and the Maryland Symphony Orchestra."

Other initiatives by MSO have resulted in increased attendance at symphony performances, according to Michael Harp, MOS director of marketing and public relations.

"We are currently seeing a 30% to 45% increase in attendance across each of our concerts for the entire orchestra season compared to last year," Harp said in an email to The Herald-Mail. "These numbers are quite strong and something that most orchestras around the country are not experiencing in a post-pandemic world. This … is a testament to the importance of the Maryland Symphony Orchestra to the residents of our region."

For more information on MSO concerts, outreach programs, donation and sponsorship opportunities, visit the website at www.marylandsymphony.org.

Background: Bowen appointed new executive director of Maryland Symphony Orchestra

This article originally appeared on The Herald-Mail: MSO season begins Oct. 14 with violinist Tim Fain, pre-concert event