Baltimore Symphony Associates Host 33rd Annual Decorators’ Show House, April 26–May 1

The elegant Arden House in Catonsville features Maryland’s leading designers

Baltimore, Md. (February 25, 2009)— The Baltimore Symphony Associates (BSA) will host its 33rd annual Decorators’ Show House at the historic Arden House in Catonsville, Maryland from April 26–May 17, 2009. Featuring Maryland’s leading interior designers, the Show House is an annual fundraiser to benefit the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra’s education programs. See below for hours and ticket information.

Baltimore architect William F. Stone, Jr. designed the “Arden House” in 1927 in the Tudor Revival style. The home for Frederick May Gittings and Helen Railton Gittings was built in 1929. Stucco and stone exteriors with half-timbering, numerous Tudor arches and leaded glass elements combine to make Arden House a fine example of Tudor Revival design. It appears that Mr. Gittings spent a large portion of his inheritance to build Arden House. A 1930 census valued the home at $75,000—approximately ten times the cost of an average home in that year in the United States. 

To enhance the Arden House’s beauty, the Associates are pleased to welcome a host of award-winning designers from around the State of Maryland whose work has earned them recognition in national home and garden publications. Gina Fitzsimmons joins the design team from Annapolis, Maryland. Trained at the Maryland Institute College of Art, Ms. Fitzsimmons is the founder of Fitzsimmons Design Associates and has been recognized in Chesapeake Homes, Baltimore Homes and Annapolis Quarterly. Laura C. Kimball from Perry Hall, Maryland is the owner/operator of LCK Interiors, whose experience includes projects ranging from patient wings at Johns Hopkins Hospital to multi-million dollar homes. Sherry Sansing is the owner of the popular California Closets in Baltimore. Always an advocate for more closet space, Ms. Sansing knows how to create home storage areas that are both functional and beautiful.

Proceeds from the Decorators’ Show House benefit the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra’s education programs. For more than 80 years, the BSO has maintained a vibrant educational presence throughout the state of Maryland, supporting the local community not only through concerts, recordings and nationally acclaimed radio programs, but also through its commitment to actively "giving back" with its education outreach and mentorship programs.

About the Baltimore Symphony Associates
The Baltimore Symphony Associates (BSA) continues its long tradition of volunteers in service to the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra reaching back to 1942 when it began as the Women's Committee. More than 200 current members use their time, energy and financial support to benefit the education programs of the BSO. The BSA manages the Symphony Store at the Meyerhoff, hosts several fundraising events, serve as ushers at education programs and sponsors several pre-concert lectures each season. 

About the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra’s Education and Community Engagement
For more than 80 years, the BSO has maintained a vibrant educational presence throughout the state of Maryland, supporting the local community not only through concerts, recordings and nationally acclaimed radio programs, but also through its commitment to actively "giving back" with its education, outreach and mentorship programs.

The BSO performs approximately 30 education concerts and open rehearsals each year for more than 60,000 area students in pre-school through 12th grade. Cornerstone initiatives include BSO on the Go, a program that brings BSO musicians into schools for free and interactive music education workshops, and "Side by Side" concerts, which allow student musicians to rehearse and perform a full-length concert alongside BSO musicians. In addition to its comprehensive youth education programs, the BSO serves adult music lovers through audience education programs such as pre-concert lectures and post-concert discussions.

In 2004, the BSO forged an historic joint venture with the highly praised Soulful Symphony, one of the nation's only African-American orchestras. Founded in 2000 by composer and artistic director Darin Atwater, Soulful Symphony is a repository for the exploration of diverse musical expressions: classical, jazz, gospel and popular forms capturing a universal language that gives all cultures common ground.

About OrchKids
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. 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.

COMPLETE EVENT INFORMATION
Baltimore Symphony Associates’ Decorators' Show House

1121 S. Rolling Rd.
Catonsville, MD 21228

April 26-May 17, 2009
Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays: 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Thursdays: 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. 
Sundays: 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Tickets are $20 in advance and are available through the BSO Box office 410.783.8000, BSOmusic.org or Graul’s Market. Tickets are $25 at the door.

ADDITIONAL MEDIA OPPORTUNITIES INCLUDE:
February 21, “Bare Bones Tour”: Arden House is open to the public from 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. for the public to view the house before the designers begin decorating. Admission is $5 at the door.

April 15, Media Day: Members of the media are invited to preview the completed house. (By appointment only. Call Laura Farmer at 410-783-8024 to schedule.)

April 26: Ribbon cutting ceremony at Arden House at 11:30 a.m.

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