Baltimore Symphony Orchestra Announces New Concert Series PULSE

The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra (BSO) is partnering with WTMD 89.7 to present a new concert series, PULSE, pairing members of the orchestra with prominent indie bands to explore musical connections that cross genres. The bands and concert dates are:Dawes (Thursday, September 24, 2015); Wye Oak (Thursday, November 12, 2015); Dr. Dog (Thursday, March 24, 2016); and The Lone Bellow (Thursday, April 28, 2016). Each show opens with a performance by members of the orchestra conducted by BSO Assistant Conductor Nicholas Hersh followed by a set featuring the headliner band, and will culminate with the two groups performing on stage together.

PULSE is made possible by a generous grant from The Wallace Foundation.

"Everyone in the arts is trying to reach the next generation," said BSO President & CEO Paul Meecham. "Today's audiences consume culture and experiences music in a different way than their parents, so the BSO knew it was important to create a concert experience to meet their expectations. We're thrilled to be partnering with WTMD 89.7, and grateful to the Wallace Foundation, who recognize the importance of building tomorrow's audiences and the BSO's efforts in this area, and who have been so generous in their support of this series."

"We're thrilled to be presenting these orchestral collaborations with our hometown friends at the Meyerhoff," said Andy Stack, drummer, keyboardist and vocalist for Wye Oak. "We've been working on this material for over a year in conjunction with New York based composers/arrangers William Brittelle and Michi Wiancko. The show includes some very adventurous orchestral deconstructions of material from our album Shriek as well as the premier of new orchestral compositions, which will feature performances by Jenn (Wasner) and myself."

Local restaurants, craftspeople, and area breweries will be stationed throughout the Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall lobby when doors open at 5:00 p.m. and until after each show, creating a festival atmosphere, and local. Local indie bands and classical ensembles will provide pre-concert entertainment.

Each concert will be broadcast live on WTMD 89.7 and rebroadcast throughout the season.

"Pulse is going to knock the socks off our listeners," said Stephen Yasko, Executive Director of WTMD 89.7. "The creative mash-up up of indie rock and classical music demonstrates that artistry, no matter what its genre, holds certain common threads that everyone can relate to and find great joy in. WTMD is incredibly proud to partner with the BSO on such a revolutionary project."

Tickets: Show tickets are $35 flat General Admission, inclusive of all fees (there will be no service charges). Food and beverages will be sold separately throughout the night, and there will be happy hour specials when doors open. Tickets are available beginning Friday, July 10 at BSOPulse.org or by calling (410) 783-8000.