The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra at Strathmore Presents Tour of Historic Garrett Park Homes, October 19 and 20

Historic Homes Tour to benefit BSO's education and outreach programs in Montgomery County

N. Bethesda, Md. (September 23, 2007) - On Friday, October 19 and Saturday, October 20, 2007, the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra at Strathmore will present "The Homes of Garrett Park," a tour of historic homes in the small community of Garrett Park, just outside Bethesda, Md. The six-home tour features four stunning Queen Anne Victorian homes, as well as the Garrett Park home of contemporary art gallery owner Boots Harris and the Mansion at Strathmore, itself an historic home. Chaired by Ellen Herscowitz, the event is sponsored by the BSO at Strathmore's Women of the Symphony Society and proceeds will benefit the BSO's educational and outreach programs in Montgomery County. Tours begin at the Music Center at Strathmore, before proceeding by mini-bus to Garrett Park for 90-minute, docent-led tours of the homes. See below for complete event and ticketing information.

The American Queen Anne Victorian homes featured on the tour have been meticulously maintained in the spirit of the turn-of-the-century style in which they were built. Distinctive architectural features include wrap-around porches, gingerbread trim and turreted gables. Inside the homes, features such as grand staircases, bay windows and distinctive fireplaces hearken back to the era, more than a century ago, when Garrett Park was a leisurely summer retreat for Washington, D.C.'s artists and professionals.

Sponsored by the Women of the Symphony Society, the two-day event will benefit the BSO at Strathmore's music education and community outreach programs which, during the 2007-2008 season, will reach nearly 10,000 children in Montgomery County. The BSO at Strathmore is actively involved in giving back to Montgomery County and the Greater Washington, D.C. area, continuing the Orchestra's 81-year history of high-quality education programs for music-lovers of all ages.

About the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra
The Grammy Award-winning Baltimore Symphony Orchestra is internationally recognized as having achieved a preeminent place among the world's most important orchestras. Acclaimed for its uncompromising pursuit of artistic excellence, the Baltimore Symphony has attracted a devoted national and international following while maintaining deep bonds throughout the Maryland community through innovative education and community outreach initiatives.

The BSO made musical history in September 2007, when Maestra Marin Alsop led her inaugural concerts at the Orchestra's 12th music director, making her the first woman to head a major American orchestra. Maestra Alsop's concerts marked the dawn of a new era for the BSO, as she brought her highly praised artistic vision, her dynamic musicianship and her commitment to accessibility in classical music to BSO audiences.

COMPLETE EVENT INFORMATION
The BSO at Strathmore's Historic Homes Tour: The Homes of Garrett Park

Friday, October 19, 2007
Saturday, October 20, 2007

Tours last approximately 90 minutes and will run continuously from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Tours begin at the traffic circle behind the Music Center at Strathmore, 5301 Tuckerman Lane, N. Bethesda, and proceed by mini-bus to Garrett Park.

Patrons may park on Level 4 of the Grosvenor-Strathmore Metro garage

Tickets are $20 in advance, $25 "day-of," and may be purchased by calling the BSO at Strathmore Ticket Office, 1.877.BSO.1444; online at BSOmusic.org; or in person at the Music Center at Strathmore Ticket Office.

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