Sympiphany is where the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra gets a little curious. Hosted by voices from the BSO family, this podcast invites musicians, creators, and listeners into honest, joyful conversations about the moments when music truly clicks. From unexpected musical epiphanies to pairing Beethoven with a bold red, we celebrate the stories, quirks, and questions that bring our community closer to music and to each other.
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Sympiphany is where the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra gets a little curious. Hosted by voices from the BSO family, this podcast invites musicians, creators, and listeners into honest, joyful conversations about the moments when music truly clicks. From unexpected musical epiphanies to pairing Beethoven with a bold red, we celebrate the stories, quirks, and questions that bring our community closer to music and to each other.
What actually goes into planning a symphony season?
In this episode, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra Music Director Jonathon Heyward walks through how it all comes together, from curating the themes of the season to making last-minute decisions based on what audiences are responding to. With more than 40 programs in a season, there is a lot more strategy and intuition involved than you might think.
We get into how familiar works like Beethoven’s symphonies are programmed in ways that still feel fresh, why supporting composers like Jonathan Leshnoff, the BSO’s newest artist in residence, matters locally, and how collaborations, whether it is commissioning new music or partnering with NASA, bring new energy into the mix.
Jonathon also shares some behind the scenes thinking, including why staging something like Verdi’s Requiem is so unique in the current musical landscape and how even the opening piece of a concert can shape the entire audience experience.
If you have ever been curious about how orchestras balance tradition with exploring new ground, this episode offers a closer look at the decisions, risks, and ideas that go into building a season, and what keeps it all feeling alive for audiences.
We want to hear from you!
Send us your answer to our upcoming episode questions to enrich the conversation. Your insight adds so much to our discussion.
About the Host
Jennifer Barton has spent her career at the intersection of music, strategy, and community, helping orchestras build deeper connections with the people they serve. A lifelong pianist who found her spark in collaboration and ensemble work, she now leads the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra’s efforts to connect audiences and music in ways that feel personal, joyful, and lasting. Through the BSO’s podcast Sympiphany, she explores the moments when music transforms how we feel, think, and connect—and reminds us that every shared note can spark something bigger.
Made possible in part by the Knott Broadcast Fund.
