Our residency for 2012-2013 will be at Carver Center for Arts and Technology, 938 York Road, Towson, MD 21204.

Conveniently located just off I-695, Carver Center is putting the finishing touches on the brand-new performing arts wing they have created, which will include a beautiful, 1000-seat, state of the art auditorium. This auditorium will not only host three of our concerts (the fourth being at Meyerhoff), but it will also be the rehearsal space for the YO on a weekly basis. Rehearsal spaces for CO and SO include a theater and the school's music room, and we have also been provided with large storage space for percussion and our music library. And, there is plenty of parking! We are very grateful to the BSO and staff of Carver Center for assisting in making this possible.

The Baltimore Symphony Youth Orchestras (BSYO) will carry on the thirty five year legacy of the Greater Baltimore Youth Orchestras when it begins operations on September 1, 2012.

Artistic staff Ken Lam, MaryAnn Poling, and Michael Gamon will continue similar roles in the new BSYO. Ken Lam will serve as Artistic Director and Conductor for the Youth Orchestra (YO). MaryAnn Poling will conduct the Concert Orchestra (CO), and Michael Gamon will conduct the String Orchestra (SO.) Nana Gaskins Vaughn, Executive Director, will become the new general manager for the BSYO. One change as a result of the new arrangement is that GBYO's two early level string orchestras, Sinfonia and Sinfonietta, will combine to form the String Orchestra. All orchestras require an audition for acceptance.

Being in the BSO family will mean students will receive more interaction with BSO musicians, participate in BSO events, and will perform once per season at the Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall, the BSO's home.

Auditions for the 2012-2013 season will take place in May and June 2012. Please read our audition page for more information.

The Bridges program is thrilled to announce that it raised $8,348 through its 45-day fundraising drive on Kickstarter .com ( http://kck.st/t0mZYh ) .  A website that allows "backers" to pledge money to help fund creative projects, Kickstarter uses an all-or-nothing funding method by which projects must reach their set goal or receive no money at all.  Setting a benchmark of $7,500, the Bridges program surpassed its goal by over $800!

The money raised from this fundraiser has helped to support the spring semester of the Bridges Sunday orchestra program, during students from seven schools get together and play in two large orchestras.  The Sunday program will culminate in a Final Spring Concert on April 29, 2012.  An exciting event, the concert will feature both the Prelude and Encore orchestras, the Violin and Lower Strings Choirs, and the Harp Ensemble. 

Words cannot express how grateful the Bridges program is for all 128 backers of its project!   One can find a list of the project's generous supporters here:  www.gbyomusic.org/bridges/supporters.