Our Mission

“The BSO performs the highest quality symphonic music of all eras that nurtures the human spirit. The BSO is committed to engaging, inspiring, educating, and serving diverse audiences and to enhancing Baltimore and the State of Maryland as a cultural center of vitality and importance.”

BSO Creed: Our Shared Values

CREATIVITY

• We believe the BSO is first and foremost an artistic institution that is dedicated to the finest creative musical expression.
• We seek to facilitate opportunities for creative approaches that allow musicians, staff, board, and partners to collaborate to serve our mission.
• We strive to inform all decisions with our commitment to innovation and continuous improvement.

RESPECT

• We believe the BSO should value, appreciate, and treat all individuals - patrons, staff, musicians, guest artists, and volunteers with compassion, respect, and dignity.
• We seek to create a welcoming, safe, and enjoyable environment for all.
• We strive to embrace all human differences and commit to caring and civility towards all with whom we work and serve.

EXCELLENCE

• We believe it is an honor to present great music to stir and nurture the soul.
• We seek to attract, develop, and retain the best talent in all musicians, staff, board, and volunteers.
• Everyone who works at the BSO has an important role to play in our success.
• We strive to act with uncompromising integrity and transparency.

ENGAGEMENT / EDUCATION

• We believe deep connections to the diverse communities we serve are essential to our mission.
• We seek to inspire and educate with powerful and meaningful musical experiences for audiences of all ages.
• We strive to nurture the talents of musicians of all ages with accessible educational initiatives and programs.
• We strive to create a culture where musicians, staff, board, and volunteers communicate, collaborate, understand, and appreciate each other’s work.

DIVERSITY

• We believe diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging – with respect to race, gender, and personal identity – are cultural and strategic imperatives.
• We seek to create a culture of excellence that ensures access and inclusion of diverse voices in all that we do.
• We strive to use the universal language of music to bring people together and embrace our multicultural society.