Overture Magazine: 2017-2018 Season FINAL_BSO_Overture_May_June | Page 7

OAKLAND BSA presents 41 st Show House “Oakland” I t’s that time of year —the Baltimore Symphony Associates (BSA) presents the 2018 Symphony Designers’ Show House this May and June. Every spring, interior designers take over a Baltimore-area home and give it a makeover full of unique décor. In a nod to local history, this year’s home, “Oakland,” is the former residence of Edgar Allen Poe III, the great, great, great grandnephew of the Baltimore poet. “The Show House is our largest event of the year, and this spring, we have some especially exciting plans in the works,” says the BSA’s Marge Penhallegon. “We will have BSYO and BSO musician performances, opportunities to meet the designers, a ‘Sip ‘n Shop’ in the boutique and an opening-day omelet breakfast with a performance by students from OrchKids. In honor of OrchKids’ 10 th anniversary, and of their long association with the youth concerts, Rheda Becker and Bob Meyerhoff are serving as Honorary Chairs for Show House this year.” Guests may visit the boutique, Encore! Shop and enjoy refreshments in the café, featuring The Classic Catering People. “Oakland” is open to the public May 20 –June 10. Tickets are $25 in advance or $30 at the door and may be purchased online, by phone or at local ticket outlets — please visit BSOmusic.org for further details. All ticket proceeds support the educational programs of the BSO, including mid-week concerts, open rehearsals and OrchKids. THANK YOU, ELIOT PFANSTIEHL! T he Strathmore Hall Foundation recently announced that CEO and founder Eliot Pfanstiehl plans to retire this August. Pfanstiehl became the organization’s first executive director in 1983 and oversaw its expansion from the 1899 colonial-style Mansion at Strathmore to becoming the leading arts institution in Montgomery County. The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra is grateful to Eliot for envisioning the building of the Orchestra’s second home on the beautiful expanse of land next to the mansion. His s upport in partnering with Baltimore Symphony leadership led to the 2005 opening of The Music Center at Strathmore. A founding partner at Strathmore, the BSO performs a full season of classical concerts, pops concerts and special events. The board, musicians and staff of the Baltimore Symphony thank Eliot for his vision and support, as well as his years of dedication to promoting and supporting the arts in Montgomery County and the State of Maryland! WATER MUSIC BSO performs pop-up concert at National Aquarium O n Saturday, February 10, Associate Conductor Nicholas Hersh led the BSO in a special pop-up concert at the National Aquarium in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor. Hersh conducted the musicians through “Hornpipe” from Handel’s Water Music at the Blacktip Reef exhibit before turning the baton over to Aquarium visitors. Each guest conductor had his or her chance to experience the thrill of leading a live symphony orchestra, to the enjoyment of visitors and sea creatures alike. Nicholas Hersh kicks off the concert. 5