Baltimore Symphony Associates Host Fundraiser "Symphony Christmas at Cromwell Park," Dec. 9-11

Baltimore, Md. (October 26, 2011) - The Baltimore Symphony Associates will host a holiday fundraiser, Symphony Christmas at Cromwell Park, on December 9-11, 2011 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. featuring our annual Holiday Boutique, make-and-take workshops, fresh-baked Christmas treats, and Santa's Secret Shoppe.  In the past, Baltimore Symphony Associates (BSA) has staged the widely-attended, seasonal tour of home décor "Symphony Homes for the Holiday." New this year, BSA has moved to Cromwell Valley Park on Cromwell Bridge Road in Towson and have organized a range of fun family activities. Another new aspect of the fundraiser is BSA's partnership with TALMAR (Therapeutic Alternatives of Maryland), a local nonprofit that enables those with special needs or disabilities to pursue interests in gardening and horticulture.  Please see below for complete event details.

Among the featured activities, guests can participate in craft workshops and learn to create holiday décor items such as wreaths, centerpieces and miniature trees. TALMAR will be assisting in the workshops and providing some materials.  For those who want to deck the halls without a fuss, ready-made specialty decorations and seasonal gifts will be available for purchase throughout the house as well as at the boutique.  Fresh cookies and other baked goods will be sold at the café. Children are welcome to visit Santa's Secret Shoppe, where they can buy reasonably-priced gifts for loved ones.  Proceeds benefit the educational programs of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra.

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 and serve as ushers at education programs.

About the Baltimore Symphomy Orchestra's Education and Community Engagement 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. 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, Rusty Musicians and BSO Academy-programs which give amateur musicians the opportunity to perform with the BSO. In 2008, the BSO launched OrchKids-a during and after school music education and life enrichment program for Baltimore's at risk youth. It recently expanded and now serves nearly 300 students at Lockerman Bundy Elementary School, New Song Academy and Mary Winterling Elementary school, all three of which are public schools in West Baltimore.

About Therapeutic Alternatives in Maryland (TALMAR)
TALMAR is a nonprofit organization established to provide a therapeutic and recreational environment, offering horticulture and other complementary initiatives to the community. Its mission is to serve all people of all ages with a focus on those with special needs and disabilities. Through projects that include community-supported agriculture, floral design, and horticulture therapy, TALMAR positively contributes to the mind, body and spirit of the individuals served by improving their physical, psychological, recreational, educational and social well being.

COMPLETE EVENT INFORMATION
Symphony Christmas at Cromwell Park
Friday, December 9 through Sunday, December 11 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Eck House at Cromwell Valley Park
 1996 Cromwell Bridge Road
Towson, MD 21234

Workshops are held each day from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

There is no charge for admittance. For additional information, call the BSA office at 410.783.8023