Since its founding in 1982, the Maryland Symphony Orchestra’s influence and reputation has reached far beyond Western Maryland. It is one of only four professional symphony orchestras in Maryland and audience members from South Central Pennsylvania, West Virginia’s Eastern Panhandle, the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia and the Baltimore-Washington Metropolitan area are drawn to concerts held at the historic Maryland Theatre in downtown Hagerstown. Under the baton of Music Director Elizabeth Schulze—whom the Washington Post calls “a superb conductor”—the MSO has become a first-class orchestra of exceptional artistic quality.
The Maryland Symphony Orchestra provides a dazzling variety of programs, from the grand musical treasures of the Masterworks Series to the joyful offerings of the MSO Pops! and Home for the Holidays; from the glorious sentimentality of the Salute to Independence Concert to the exuberance and wonder of the annual Citi Youth Concerts and Kinder Konzerts Series.
Barry Tuckwell, Music Director for the MSO’s first seventeen seasons, provided a solid foundation for the orchestra, bringing musical masterpieces to life for many who were unfamiliar with the beauty of classical music. Under the artistic leadership of current Music Director Elizabeth Schulze, new concerts and programs have been added and the repertoire has both broadened and deepened. By keeping in mind its mission – “to provide musical performances and programs that educate and entertain while enhancing the cultural environment of Western Maryland and the surrounding region” – the Maryland Symphony Orchestra remains one of the area’s greatest treasures.
Originating from central Pennsylvania, The Wild Hymns weave a multifaceted soundscape of dreamy folk-pop, Americana, and mellow rock & roll.
Initially a solo endeavor by singer-songwriter, Megan Woodland Donley Hewitt, the magic of the project quickly expanded into a more collaborative affair with her husband, guitarist Jeff Hewitt, and full band, adding the final touches to this gorgeous atmosphere of sound.
Following their 2014 self-titled debut album, The Wild Hymns toured regionally and nationally, building a solid following. They released two subsequent albums in 2016 and 2018, ever-evolving in sound and style. 2022 proved to be a big year for The Wild Hymns, releasing their boldest collection of dreamy indie rock, a full length album titled – Eternal Return.
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