Baltimore Symphony Orchestra to Collect 2,500 Pounds of Food as Part of “Orchestras Feeding America,” March 19-28

The League of American Orchestras, Feeding America and Participant Media team up for National Food Drive inspired by the upcoming film, The Soloist

Baltimore, Md. (March 10, 2009)- Inspired by the upcoming film The Soloist, the League of American Orchestras (“the League”), Feeding America—the nation’s largest hunger relief organization—and Participant Media have joined forces for Orchestras Feeding America, a large-scale national food drive that will take place from March 19-28, 2009. The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra is pleased to participate in this cause, along with more than 215 orchestras (numbers increasing daily) from all 50 states, for this unprecedented coordinated effort. Donations of unopened, non-perishable goods can be delivered to the BSO lobby before, during or after concerts occurring on March 19-28 or during Ticket Office hours.* The BSO has set a goal of collecting 2,500 pounds of food and thanks The Maryland Food Bank for partnering with us to distribute the food. For more information about Orchestras Feeding America, including a list of participating orchestras, please visit the League’s website americanorchestras.org.

League President and CEO Jesse Rosen commented, “The story of The Soloist reminds us that classical music has the power to sustain spirits and change lives, even under the most difficult circumstances. Our team effort with Feeding America and The Soloist gives America’s orchestras a way to use that power to make an even greater difference in our communities—to feed both body and soul.”

Vicki Escarra, Feeding America President and CEO, said, “Feeding America is thrilled that America’s orchestras are joining us in our fight against hunger in America. This partnership will help the hungry in nearly every community nationwide and the 36 million people who are at risk of hunger.”

The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra’s President and CEO, Paul Meecham, adds, “The Baltimore Symphony is an integral part of the community. In these difficult times, more citizens than ever in our region lack basic essentials like food. As a result, we want to do our part by offering this opportunity up to our patrons and musicians with the goal of creating positive change. Our patrons are most supportive and generous. I have no doubt that their concern for their community will be manifest in an outpouring of food donations at our concerts in the coming weeks.”

The Soloist, starring Jamie Foxx and Robert Downey, Jr., directed by Joe Wright, will be released by Paramount Pictures to theaters nationwide on April 24.. A DreamWorks Pictures/Universal Pictures presentation in association with Studio Canal and Participant Media, the film is based on the true story of the relationship between Los Angeles Times columnist Steve Lopez and Nathaniel Anthony Ayers, a gifted Juilliard-trained string player whose mental illness and unfortunate circumstances landed him among the homeless on the streets of Los Angeles. Featuring the Los Angeles Philharmonic, The Soloist is a testament to the redemptive power of music and a reminder of our connections to the most vulnerable among us.

A list of recommended non-perishable food items and guidelines is available at BSOmusic.org/fooddrive.

About Feeding America (Formerly America’s Second Harvest – The Nation’s Food Bank Network)
Feeding America provides individuals and families facing hunger with the fuel to survive and even thrive. As the nation’s largest domestic hunger-relief charity, our network members supply food to more than 25 million Americans each year, including 9 million children and 3 million seniors. Serving the entire United States, more than 200 member food banks operate 63,000 agencies that address hunger through emergency food assistance and programs. For more information, see feedingamerica.org.

About the League of American Orchestras
The League of American Orchestras leads, encourages, supports and serves orchestras as they assure the vitality of the musical experience, strengthen their organizations and deepen their connections with their public and their communities. Founded in 1942, the League serves member symphony, chamber, youth and university orchestras of all sizes, and supports a network of thousands of administrators, board members, musicians, conductors, volunteers and business partners. Visit americanorchestras.org to learn more.

About Participant Media
Participant Media is a Los Angeles-based entertainment company that focuses on socially relevant, commercially viable feature films, documentaries and television, as well as publishing and digital media. Participant Media is headed by CEO Jim Berk and was founded in 2004 by philanthropist Jeff Skoll, who serves as Chairman. Ricky Strauss is President. Participant exists to tell compelling, entertaining stories that bring to the forefront real issues that shape our lives. For each of its projects, Participant creates extensive social action and advocacy programs that provide ideas and tools to transform the impact of the media experience into individual and community action. Participant’s films include The Kite Runner, Charlie Wilson’s War, Darfur Now, An Inconvenient Truth, Good Night and Good Luck, Syriana, Standard Operating Procedure and The Visitor. For more information, visit participantmedia.com.

About 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 July 2005 when it announced the appointment of Marin Alsop as its next music director, making her the first woman to lead a major American orchestra. Maestra Alsop’s inaugural concerts in September 2007 marked the dawn of a new era for the BSO, as she brings her highly praised artistic vision, her dynamic musicianship and her commitment to accessibility in classical music.

*Concerts at which non-perishable food items will be accepted:

Classical Concert Series: Dvorák’s Symphony No. 7
Thursday, March 19, 2009 at 8:00 p.m. —Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall (JMSH)
Friday, March 20, 2009 at 8:00 p.m. —JMSH
Sunday, March 22, 2009 at 3:00 p.m. – JMSH 

Special Presentation: Canadian Brass
Saturday, March 21, 2009 at 7:30 p.m. – JMSH 

Classical Concert Series: Yan Pascal Tortelier and Vadim Repin
Friday, March 27 at 8:00 p.m. – JMSH
Saturday, March 28 at 8:00 p.m. – JMSH

The public can drop off non-perishable items at the BSO Ticket Office during office hours:
Monday – Friday, 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Saturday & Sunday, 12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

On concert evenings, the ticket office will open one hour prior to the concert start through intermission.

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