Annapolis Symphony Orchestra

?? Lifting each other and the world up, one note at a time. Today, on International Women's Day, we celebrate our women musicians, staff members & board members. #Annapolis #AnnapolisArts #AnnapolisSymphony #aso #asoawesome

?? We were honored this morning to welcome Noah Bendix-Balgley to Music @ MidMorning, held at Eastport Yacht Club. Did you know? Maestro Novo brought on Noah as concertmaster at Cincinnati Youth Orchestra, and helped Noah with recommendation letters for college ?? . Most interesting were Noah's insights into Leonard Bernstein's "Serenade", a technically difficult piece with remarkable violin solos that he is excited to perform this weekend at Maryland Hall and Strathmore. If you don't have your tickets yet, get them now on our website! https://lnkd.in/eCpeNVVE Federal workers: don't forget about our offer to welcome you to our performance at Strathmore this Sunday at 3PM - up to 2 FREE tickets per transaction. Please call our office for a special code you can use to get your tickets - 410-263-0907. #annapolis #AnnapolisMusic #AnnapolisEvents #AnnapolisSymphony #Annapolisorchestra #Maryland #Marylandclassical #marylandsymphony #Symphony #orchestra #Bernstein #beethoven #ginastera #JLN #novo #joseluisnovo

Exciting news. The Annapolis Symphony Orchestra is thrilled to announce the appointment of Erica Bondarev Rapach as Executive Director. A seasoned leader in arts management, Erica has built a career centered on fostering connections, cultivating authentic collaborations, and engaging internal and external stakeholders in new ways. She has held key arts marketing and executive management positions at The Washington Ballet, Theater Alliance of DC, The Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center at the University of Maryland, the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, and the .ART domain registry. An adjunct faculty member in American University’s Graduate Arts Management program - where she is also an alum - Erica is a recognized advocate for the transformative power of the arts. A classically trained violinist, Erica’s journey in arts leadership began during her service as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Russia, where she performed with the Volgograd Symphony Orchestra and organized its first-ever U.S. tour. That experience ignited a passion for arts advocacy and cross-cultural exchange, shaping her 20-year career in arts management. The search for interim and permanent Executive Director was managed by the Arts Consulting Group. Please join us to welcome Erica! Learn more about the appointment on our website at https://lnkd.in/ez_kdHgU.

This month we've been celebrating all the love ?? We love music, we love Beethoven, Bernstein and Noah Bendix-Balgley, and we especially love our DMV federal workers! ?? If you're a federal worker, we welcome you to attend our concert this weekend at Strathmore for FREE. Please call our Box Office at 410-263-0907 to receive a code that entitles you to 4 free tickets to our 3 PM performance of Serenade at the Music Center at Strathmore. Visit our website to learn more about this incredible opportunity to hear the ASO perform music rooted in love, starring the incredible Noah Bendix-Balgley, current First Concertmaster of the Berlin Philharmonic ?? The code cannot be applied to any other offer. Please call our Box Office at 410-263-0907 to redeem the code. Please leave a voicemail message or email [email protected] with any questions.

#ASOInLove with Bernstein ?? Leonard Bernstein’s 1954 composition "Serenade" was inspired by the philosophy of Plato. Bernstein imagined 5 ancient Greek philosophers at a dinner party, talking about love. You can fall head-over-heels in love with the ASO when you join us for "Serenade" next weekend, at Maryland Hall and Strathmore!?? ?? Maestro José-Luis Novo says "Serenade is a violin concerto with strings and percussion, very particular to Bernstein, who liked to do unusual things. It is a masterwork of the solo violin repertoire. The title of "Serenade" downplays the virtuosity of the piece." ?? Get your tickets now to experience an incredible concert, with Noah Bendix-Balgley performing as guest soloist. You don't want to miss Bendix-Balgley, First Concertmaster for the Berlin Philharmonic, live at Maryland Hall and Strathmore. Other pieces in the repertoire include Beethoven's Overture to "The Creatures of Prometheus" and Symphony No. 8 , and Ginastera "Estancia Dances". Tickets are available on our website, AnnapolisSymphony.org. #ASO #Annapolis #symphony #classical #ClassicalMusic #AnnapolisEvents #AnnapolisMusic #Strathmore #Strathmoreclassical #Strathmoreconcerts

He said it best. "It is always a tremendous pleasure for me to share the stage with Noah Bendix-Balgley. Not only is he a consummate artist, an exciting performer, and a masterful violinist, but he is also a wonderful human being. I have known Noah since his days as concertmaster of the Cincinnati Symphony Youth Orchestra, where I had the privilege of serving as music director in the early 2000s. I have followed his stellar career with great admiration and pride, and I am thrilled to once again perform alongside him for our audiences in Annapolis and at Strathmore." - ASO Artistic Director and Conductor José-Luis Novo. Get your tickets now. Link in bio and at AnnapolisSymphony.org The Season 63 Masterworks Series at Maryland Hall is made possible with the support of the Brian and Patricia Giese Foundation.

Reminder to spread some love ?? today. To show our affection for YOU, we're offering a special discount for our next concert, Serenade, with violinist Noah Bendix-Balgley at Maryland Hall Feb. 28 - Mar. 1, and at Strathmore Mar. 2. ?? Use code SHOWMANCE for 30% off performances at Maryland Hall. ?? Use code ASOBOGO to purchase Buy One, Get One FREE tickets for Strathmore. *Rules apply. Discounts cannot be combined with any other offer. Up to 4 tickets per transaction. Does not include Parterre or Orchestra AA seats at Maryland Hall. These offers expire TODAY 2/14/2025. Visit our website to purchase tickets, annapolissymphony.org.

?? Advocacy Today members of our staff visited Maryland State Senators Dawn Gile, Clarence Lam, Shaneka Henson, and Pam Beidle at the state capitol in Annapolis in support of Maryland State Arts Day. Joining with dozens of artists and arts organizations from across the state, we urge our representatives and Governor Wes Moore to recognize the vital role that the arts play in revenue generation, job growth, quality of life, and vital, sometimes even lifesaving outreach to our state's most vulnerable people by: ?? Rejecting elimination of the funding formula for the Maryland State Arts Council, as recommended in the 2025 Budget Reconciliation and Financing Act ? Supporting funding at the levels mandated by current legislation ? Supporting funding the Arts and Culture Capital Grant Program ?? The ASO is the oldest and largest performing arts organization in Anne Arundel County. Our 70 professional musicians spend decades earning their Masters and PhDs in their area of expertise, provide services to the ASO according to a mutually beneficial contract negotiated with the musician's union, and are offered tenure while being paid a living wage to support their livelihoods as artists. Our staff of nine is likewise educated and talented, driven by a passion for the arts and a commitment to make our nonprofit business model successful, sustainable and impactful. ? Arts organizations like the ASO contribute revenue to the city of Annapolis, Anne Arundel County and the state of Maryland, while making our communities a better place to live, work, and play. ?? We spoke with the Senators and their staff about fun ways to partner with private, non profit, and corporate entities in their districts and look forward to working with their offices to develop meaningful opportunities for more artistic fun! Thank you! Maryland State Arts Council The Arts Council of Anne Arundel County Annapolis Arts District Annapolis Arts Alliance Maryland Hall. Photo: ASO Executive Director Erica Bondarev Rapach and Senator Clarence Lam. Courtesy Annapolis Symphony Orchestra.

?? Here's another #ASOLoveStory The ASO horn section is a close knit group, many of whom have known and supported each other for years. Ho Hin Kwong and Kevin Grasel auditioned for their positions last March, and have truly impressed us with their work this season. Please be sure to show these talented musicians your love when you see them at one of our performances. ?? From left to right - Kevin Grasel, Principal Alex Kovling, Ho Hin Kwong, Associate Principal Shane Iler, Anthony Valerio. Experience the magic of our ASO musicians in person at our next concert, Serenade, with Noah Bendix-Balgley, Concertmaster of the Berlin Philharmonic, February 28-March 1 at Maryland Hall, and March 2 at Music Center at Strathmore. Tickets at AnnapolisSymphony.org. Photo courtesy Alex Kovling #aso #Annapolis #AnnapolisSymphony #asoawesome #JLN20 #ASOLove #MusicLove #ClassicalMusic #Classical #Symphony

?? Last night, FASO held a fundraising dinner at Carrolls Creek restaurant in Eastport. Funds support artistic endeavors and the Annapolis Symphony Academy. ??? A wonderful evening was had by all! We love to see the smiles and genuine, decades-long friendships in these photos. We're #ASOinLOVE with FASO, and we're not shy about just how deep in love we are. ?? Thank you to Carrolls Creek owners and staff for your support of the ASO! Photo credit: Ann Tran