Maryland Symphony Orchestra (MSO)

The purpose is to foster, promote, and increase the music knowledge of the public, exclusively by educational activities, by organizing and presenting performances of music chosen primarily from the literature of Symphony and chamber music, opera, solo recital, and vocal chorus or dance. Since the Maryland Symphony Orchestra (mso) was established in 1982, the Orchestra's annual season has expanded from four concerts to more than 20 including a classical masterworks series, mso pops concerts, home for the holidays performances, the salute to independence, a high school masterworks concert, youth concerts for 4th graders from throughout Washington county and the region, and several performances in neighboring communities. As the only fully professional Orchestra based in western Maryland the Orchestra (see section o) features internationally renowned guest artists and soloists each season, along with principal players from the ranks of the mso's 70 member ensemble. Artists and soloists offer master classes and the music director elizabeth schulze presents preconcert lectures prior to all classical series concerts. The mso presents educational programs involving small ensembles in partnership with Washington county public schools and Washington county free library impacting 10,000 youth annually. Discounted student tickets are offered to students in grades 1 through 12 to the classical concerts held in hagerstown's historic Maryland theatre. The mso awards both need based and merit based bennett rubin music scholarships for regional youth to participate in summer music academies, private lessons, workshops, and programs offered by accomplished instructors, Washington county public schools and other accredited educational institutions.