The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra Announces New Protocols in Preparation for Return to Full Capacity Concerts

The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra Announces New Protocols in Preparation for Return to Full Capacity Concerts

Family and Education Concerts Cancelled, Rescheduled, or Shifted to Virtual Format for Fall

August 24, 2021 (Baltimore, MD) – To ensure the health and security of patrons, musicians, staff, volunteers, and the community at large, the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra announced today a series of new COVID related protocols as it prepares to welcome audiences back to the Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall and The Music Center at Strathmore in September for the start of the 2021-22 Season.

Effective September 1, proof of full vaccination against COVID-19 is required to attend all indoor BSO performances and events. Patrons may display proof of vaccination on a smartphone; or show a physical copy of the vaccination card or official vaccination record, along with a matching photo ID. Additional options for verification are being explored and will be shared when available. Proof of a negative COVID- 19 test is not acceptable for entry; and in keeping with current vaccination eligibility guidelines, children under the age of 12 will not be admitted to BSO indoor events until further notice. With all venue capacity restrictions currently lifted in Baltimore City and Montgomery County, there are no plans for socially distanced seating; however, facemasks will be required indoors, at all times, for BSO events at both venues until further notice. The consumption of food and beverage will not be permitted indoors, nor will public concessions be available at BSO concerts at either venue for the month of September.

For patrons who are unvaccinated, not comfortable returning to the concert halls, or wish to share the experience with children under the age of 12 at home, the BSO will be live streaming most Classical and Pops concerts, available for pay-per-view or subscription access for a limited time, via the new and improved BSO OffStage. Season 2 of BSO Sessions will also be available for purchase via BSO OffStage beginning in October. Live stream access is also a complimentary benefit for all subscribers, regardless of subscription package. For more information, visit BSOmusic.org/OffStage.

More information about the BSO’s responsible return including a complete list of protocols and answers to frequently asked questions is available at BSOmusic.org/ResponsibleReturn.

Related Cancellations and Concert Modifications

The following cancellations and concert modifications are in effect as of August 24, 2021:

• The Season Opening Concert with Itzhak Perlman on September 11 will continue as planned; however, and in keeping with a limited concessions policy for the month of September, the full VIP Opening Night experience will be delayed until June 10, 2022, for the Anne-Sophie Mutter Performs Beethoven concert, featuring conductor Sir Andrew Davis. VIP ticket holders will be contact For more information, please contact Patron Support.

As vaccine eligibility expands to those under 12, we will welcome the return of children to our audiences. Until this time, and to provide greater opportunities for young audiences to participate, the following cancellations and modifications for family and education programs will be in effect for the fall:

• The September 17 and 18 performances of Toy Story in Concert will be rescheduled for later dates in Summer 2022. Current tickets will automatically be transferred to the new performance If you are unable to attend on your new date, you may request a ticket exchange or refund by contacting Patron Support at 410.783.8000 or 877.276.1444, or, by email.
• Eligibility for Kids Listen Free (formerly Young and Free) will be limited to children aged 12-17 who can also demonstrate proof of vaccination until further notice. For more information on Kids Listen Free, click here.
• In-person Family and Midweek Education performances of Thrills and Chills! in October are Ticketholders for the October 30th Family performance will be automatically refunded. In lieu of in-person performances, which would have been free to all Maryland school children thanks to a generous gift from the Baltimore Symphony Associates (BSA), the Midweek Education performance of Thrills and Chills! will be available for free on demand via BSOOffStage. In honoring the intention of the BSA’s gift, all 2021-22 Midweek Concerts that are not presented in-person will be available virtually on-demand for free. More information will be shared when available.

Tickets for the 2021-22 season for the Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall and the BSO at Strathmore are available through BSO Patron Support, 410.783.8000, 877.BSO.1444, or BSOmusic.org. For press comps, additional artist bios, or media materials, please contact the Communications Department at tkopasek@BSOmusic.org.

VENUE INFORMATION

Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall (Meyerhoff)

1212 Cathedral Street, Baltimore, MD 21201

The Music Center at Strathmore (Strathmore)

5301 Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda, MD, 20852

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About the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra

For over a century, the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra (BSO) has been recognized as one of America’s leading orchestras and one of Maryland’s most significant cultural institutions. Under the direction of Music Director Marin Alsop, the orchestra is internationally renowned and locally admired for its innovation, performances, recordings, and educational outreach initiatives including OrchKids.

The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra performs annually for more than 275,000 people throughout the State of Maryland. Since 1982, the BSO has performed at the Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall in Baltimore, and since 2005, with the opening of The Music Center at Strathmore in North Bethesda, MD, the BSO became the nation’s first orchestra performing its full season of classical and pops concerts in two metropolitan areas. More recently, 2020 marked the beginning of a new era of artistry, innovation, stability, and digital accessibility, including the launch of the virtual platform BSO OffStage and a groundbreaking docuseries BSO Sessions. More information about the BSO can be found at BSOmusic.org.

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