County Executive Olszewski Announces Free Concert Featuring Baltimore Symphony Musicians
Baltimore County Presents An Independence Day Extravaganza on July 3 at Oregon Ridge Park
Through a joint effort between the Baltimore Symphony Musicians, the Baltimore County Office of the County Executive and the Baltimore County Department of Recreation and Parks, Baltimore County will host an Independence Day Extravaganza, featuring symphonic music and fireworks at 8 p.m. on Wednesday, July 3 at Oregon Ridge Park.
Despite the previously announced cancellation of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra’s (BSO) summer season, the concert will proceed as scheduled, but will be offered as a free event to attendees.
“This event is important to Baltimore County and my administration was committed to making sure residents still have the opportunity to celebrate July 4 at Oregon Ridge,” said Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski, Jr. “I’m excited and thankful to the Baltimore Symphony Musicians for their willingness to participate in this year’s event despite the current challenges.”
About the Program
A portion of the event will be funded using money that had been allocated as grant funds for the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra. The full symphonic program will be led by Jacomo Bairos, music director of the Amarillo Symphony and recent guest conductor of such orchestras as the San Francisco Symphony, Boston Pops and the National Symphony Orchestra. Bairos will lead a program of patriotic-themed orchestral works, featuring music by Leonard Bernstein, Aaron Copland and John Williams, in addition to traditional marches. As in past presentations, the program with conclude with Tchaikovsky’s stirring "1812 Overture" along with a thrilling fireworks display.
“The BSO has performed outdoor concerts at Oregon Ridge since 1977 and the Baltimore Symphony Musicians are honored to work with County officials to maintain a presence for 2019,” says Baltimore Symphony Musicians’ community outreach coordinator and oboist Michael Lisicky. “The Baltimore Symphony Musicians are committed to being the hometown band for our city, state and Baltimore County, and this year is no different,” states Baltimore Symphony Musicians’ Committee co-chair and percussionist Brian Prechtl.
Ticket and Parking Information
The event will also feature food trucks and music from the Lutherville Music School. Admission is free but tickets are required for entry. Children three and under do not need a ticket. Get your tickets or learn more about the Independence Day Extravaganza.
Parking will be available onsite at Oregon Ridge and at the Agriculture Center on Shawan Road. Accessibility parking will be available at Oregon Ridge. There will be no parking at the Timonium Fairgrounds this year. There will be no rain date.
The 2019 Independence Day Extravaganza is made possible by Baltimore County and the Baltimore Symphony Musicians. Additional logistical support for this event is provided by the Musicians’ Association of Metropolitan Baltimore, Local 40-543. Further support for this concert comes from the Music Performance Trust Fund (MPTF), enriching lives through music by sponsoring free live performances in all 50 states and Canada. For more information, visit MPTF’s website at www.MusicPF.org.