OrchKids is an after-school program designed to effect social change and nurture promising futures for youth in Baltimore City's low-income neighborhoods. In collaboration with a broad array of community partners, the BSO's OrchKids program will provide music education, instruments and mentorship to Baltimore's neediest youngsters.

Under Music Director Marin Alsop's artistic leadership and direction, OrchKids is a cornerstone of the BSO's vision to expand the Orchestra's relevance within the city's broad and diverse community. To effectively implement OrchKids and to create a network of community support, the BSO is undertaking the program in partnership with several key local organizations, including the Baltimore City Public School System, The Peabody Institute, Arts Everyday, Baltimore School for the Arts and The Family League. Each partner organization will contribute its own expertise and unique resources to the program.

Funding for the planning phase and first year of OrchKids is made possible through the generous support of Robert E. Meyerhoff and Rheda Becker. Music Director Marin Alsop has committed $100,000, structured as a four-to-one matching gift, intended to motivate and inspire others in the community to provide additional support to sustain the OrchKids program through the critical first few years of implementation and growth.