Baltimore Symphony Orchestra presents “Patriotic Pops”, July 9th at FSUThe Baltimore Symphony Orchestra’s Music for Maryland Tour is back for 2025, offering three pay-what-you-wish concerts throughout Maryland this summer. Their first concert, “Patriotic Pops”, sponsored by Frostburg State University’s Department of Music, Theatre and Dance, is Wednesday, July 9, 7 pm, in the Pealer Recital Hall of FSU’s Pealer Performing Arts Center. Under the direction of Chad Goodman, and featuring fiddler Ellen Pendleton, BSO’s concert “Patriotic Pops” will be a rousing Independence Day celebration featuring patriotic classics, selections from “Wicked” and “Star Wars”, and Tchaikovsky’s “1812 Overture”.“As the only Orchestra to have shared the power of live music with residents in every local jurisdiction in a concentrated period, visiting every Maryland county over the past three years fills us with great pride, said Mark Hanson, BSO President and CEO. “As we kick off the next era of statewide touring, we are lucky to partner with the state, our dedicated friends, and local host venues to continue bringing the transformative experience of music to communities across Maryland.”Tickets for this year’s Music for Maryland concerts are once again available at pay-what-you-wish pricing, with advance reservations highly encouraged; reserve online at my.bsomusic.org/overview/20037. During the performances, audiences will experience a vibrant mix of beloved classics and contemporary pieces, showcasing the BSO’s dynamic artistry and musical diversity.Since its launch in 2022, the Music for Maryland Tour has become a cornerstone of the BSO’s statewide outreach, bringing live full orchestra and chamber music performances to audiences far beyond the Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall and the Music Center at Strathmore. This year’s Music for Maryland Tour received renewed leadership support from the Maryland Legislature in the form of a FY2026 State Operating grant of $250,000. Special thanks go to the Maryland Legislature including Senator Guy Guzzone and Delegate Benhamin Barnes, leadership including Senate President William “Bill” Ferguson and Speaker Adrienne Jones, and the Moore-Miller administration, for their continued support of this important initiative fostering musical engagement, inclusivity, and economic impact throughout Maryland. In honor of the leadership gifts of Robert E. Meyerhoff and Rheda Becker, all Music for Maryland concerts will once again be recognized as Robert E. Meyerhoff & Rheda Becker Community Performances.The 2nd performance on BSO’s Music for Maryland Tour, titled “Sunset Seranades”, is in St. Mary’s County on Friday, August 1, 7 pm, at St. Mary’s College, Nancy R. and Norton T. Dodge Performing Arts Center, 4785 College Drive, St Mary’s City. The concert, under the direction of Nicholas Hersh, and featuring harpist Bridget Kibbey, presents a beautiful evening of works by Shostakovich, Tailleferre, Dvořák, and Strauss.The 3rd performance on the Music for Maryland Tour, titled “Simply Charming Mozart”, is in Kent County on Thursday, August 7, 7 pm, at Washington College, Daniel Z. Gibson Center for the Arts, 300 Washington Avenue, Building #GCAC3, Chestertown. Under the direction of Nicolas Ellis, and featuring violinist Geneva Lewis, the concert features “Eine kleine Nachtmusik,” “Violin Concerto No. 3,” and “Symphony No. 38, the "Prague"”.The 2025 Music for Maryland Tour will also include a special ensemble performance featuring members of the BSO Brass and Percussion sections at Perry Hall Baptist Church (3919 Schroeder Ave, Perry Hall, MD 21128) on Thursday, July 10, in celebration of Perry Hall’s 250th Birthday. This community event is presented in partnership with the Perry Hall Improvement Association, the Woman’s Club of Perry Hall, and the Perry Hall/White Marsh Business Association. Please note: free tickets for this performance are sold out.About the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra: For over a century, the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra (BSO) has been recognized as one of America’s leading orchestras and one of Maryland’s most significant cultural institutions. The orchestra is internationally renowned and locally admired for its innovation, performances, recordings, and educational outreach initiatives, including OrchKids.The BSO performs annually for more than 275,000 people throughout the State of Maryland. Since 1982, the BSO has performed at the Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall in Baltimore, and since 2005, with the opening of The Music Center at Strathmore in North Bethesda, MD, the BSO became the nation’s first orchestra performing its full season of classical and pops concerts in two metropolitan areas.In July 2022, the BSO made history with the announcement that Jonathon Heyward would succeed Music Director Laureate and OrchKids Founder Marin Alsop as the Orchestra’s next Music Director. Maestro Heyward began his inaugural season in September 2023.The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra is a proud member of the League of American Orchestras. More information about the BSO can be found at BSOmusic.org.