Location: Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall
Transportation on your own.

Purchase your tickets directly through the Baltimore Chamber Orchestra.

About This Concert

The Baltimore Chamber Orchestra (BCO) makes its Meyerhoff Symphony Hall debut during the League of American Orchestras National Conference, presenting The Best of Baltimore! This concert, led by Music Director Robert Moody, highlights some of Baltimore’s newest and most well-known contributors to the orchestral canon, with works by Frank Zappa, Karina Ingram, Mason Bates, and Beethoven. 

Program

Karina Ingram, Animals of the Solstice: Calm of the Equinox
Frank Zappa, G-Spot Tornado
Mason Bates, Cello Concerto
Ludwig van Beethoven, Symphony No. 7

Location: Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall
Transportation on your own.

Artistic personnel at member orchestras are invited to join the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra for a closed rehearsal.

Location: Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall
Transportation will be provided.

Speaker(s): Afa Dworkin, President and Artistic Director, Sphinx Organization; Mark Hanson, President and CEO, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra; Jonathon Heyward, Music Director, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra; Deborah Rutter, Vice Provost for the Arts, Duke University; and Simon Woods, President and CEO, League of American Orchestras

The opening keynote address will be given by arts and culture leader Deborah Rutter. Currently Duke University’s Vice Provost for the Arts, Rutter believes more than ever that arts organizations—and orchestras everywhere—must connect with the hearts and minds of community stakeholders. She will address strategies and approaches that create innovative and genre-expansive programming, develop broader audiences, sustain support, and lead to meaningful and transformational change.

Another highlight of the opening will be the presentation of the League’s Gold Baton award to the Sphinx Organization. The Sphinx Organization is dedicated to transforming lives through the power of the arts. Through Education & Access, Artist Development, Performing Artists, and Arts Leadership, it develops and supports representation and excellence in classical music at every level: creative youth development, artist empowerment, career advancement, administrative leadership, and service to the field.

The opening will also feature three performances by young musicians. The Baltimore Symphony Youth Orchestra led by Principal Conductor Christopher Cicconi will perform Jonathan Leshnoff’s Rush, OrchKids Symphonic Wind Ensemble conducted by Jonathan Villegas will perform Katahj Copley’s Riptides, and OrchKids Brass Band led by Jared Perry will perform Fire, a traditional New Orleans Brass Band Tune infused and expanded with original student compositions.

The Opening Session has been generously co-sponsored by Akustiks, HGA Architects & Engineers, and Schuler Shook.

Location: Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall
Transportation on your own.

Purchase your tickets directly through the Annapolis Symphony Orchestra. Use promo code LEAGUE to save 50% off your tickets, up to 4 tickets per transaction.

About This Concert 

The Annapolis Symphony Academy's Orion Youth Orchestra plays Nancy Galbraith’s Midnight Stirring, performing side-by-side with their ASO musician-mentors—a powerful symbol of music’s ability to inspire across generations, conducted by Claire Lewis. 

Maestro José-Luis Novo, Artistic Director of the ASO, conducts the Annapolis Symphony Orchestra's debut performance at Meyerhoff Symphony Hall. The concert includes Reynaldo Moya’s vibrant Polo Romanesco and Shostakovich’s gripping Symphony No. 5—a journey from darkness to triumph that remains one of the most powerful works of the 20th century. 

Location: Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall
Transportation will be provided and is included in the cost of your concert ticket.

Concert tickets can be added on to your Conference registration until May 6, 2026. After that date, please purchase directly from the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra.

About This Concert

In “Aspects of America,” Music Director Jonathon Heyward curates works with a distinctive American voice. Reflect on America at 250 with a tribute to the American Songbook from Cécile McLorin Salvant and the world premiere of a commission by Billy Childs for flute and clarinet, performed by brothers Demarre and Anthony McGill.

Artists

Jonathon Heyward, conductor
Cécile McLorin Salvant, vocalist
Anthony McGill, clarinet
Demarre McGill, flute 

Speaker(s): Lara Downes, Pianist and NPR Host; David Hyslop, Arts Consultant; Alan Mason, Board Chair, League of American Orchestras; Melissa Ngan, President and CEO, American Composers Orchestra; Arturo O’Farrill, Jazz Musician and Composer; Curtis Stewart, Artistic Director, American Composers Orchestra; Jennifer Teisinger, Executive Director, South Dakota Symphony Orchestra; and Simon Woods, President and CEO, League of American Orchestras

During the Closing Luncheon on Wednesday, June 3, we’ll hold the League’s Annual Meeting and present the Gold Baton award to David Hyslop for nearly seven decades in leadership roles throughout the orchestra field, including his unprecedented service as interim CEO at 14 orchestras around the country of all budget sizes. Hyslop was CEO of the Minnesota Orchestra (1991-2003), the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra (1978-1991), and the Oregon Symphony (1972-1978). During the Annual Meeting, members will also elect the people who represent the orchestra field on the League Board.

Conference concludes with an inspirational sneak peek of “The Declaration Project,” featuring pianist and NPR host Lara Downes and jazz musician and composer Arturo O’Farrill in performance and conversation. This groundbreaking project for piano and orchestra weaves together music and personal narrative in a contemporary declaration of our collective hopes, struggles, and untold histories, and will premiere with the American Composers Orchestra in New York in July 2026.

No additional cost. The Closing Luncheon is included in your Conference registration!

The Closing Session has been generously sponsored by BMI.