Baltimore Chamber Orchestra Announces New Executive Director

November 14, 2022 (Baltimore, MD) – Following a rigorous national search, the Baltimore Chamber Orchestra (BCO) today announced the appointment of Ben Newman as the organization’s next Executive Director.

“I am thrilled to be joining the BCO in the role of Executive Director.” Newman shared. “BCO’s place in Baltimore’s storied musical history is a testament to the city and the community’s passion for music and the performing arts. It’s an honor to carry the mission of Baltimore’s intimate chamber orchestra forward into its next chapter.”

A seasoned arts professional, Ben Newman brings a wide range of experience in concert and opera production, artist management and consulting to the BCO, which is currently celebrating its 40th concert season and 18th under the baton of Music Director, Markand Thakar.

“The creativity and energy that Ben brings to this work is exactly what the BCO needs and I look forward to working with him in the coming months and years. His passion for Baltimore, commitment to artistic excellence, and approach to sustainable innovation makes him a great fit for the orchestra and I am confident that our collaboration will generate new audiences for the BCO across Baltimore and the entire Mid-Atlantic region.” Thakar said.

Raised in a musical family with strong ties to the Armenian, Deaf and Jewish communities of metro Detroit, Newman has collaborated with many notable artists including Teddy Abrams, Refik Anadol, Matthew Aucoin, Mark Campbell, George Condo, Anthony Roth Costanzo, Helga Davis, Jennifer Koh, Missy Mazzoli, K Allado-McDowell, Justin Peck, Patricia Racette, Wayne Shorter, Carlos Simon, Esperanza Spalding, and Davóne Tines at some of the world’s most renown performance venues including The Barbican, Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, The Kennedy Center, the Kimmel Center in Philadelphia and Walt Disney Concert Hall’s REDCAT Theater in Los Angeles.

More about the Baltimore Chamber Orchestra: 

The Baltimore Chamber Orchestra has been delighting audiences since its first performance, led by Maestra Anne Harrigan on January 29, 1984. Since introducing audiences to a classical orchestra offering virtuoso performances, the group has grown to occupy an essential niche in the thriving arts scene of greater Baltimore. Today, the orchestra continues to meet the same standard established at its inception to provide accessible, high-quality music in an intimate setting performed by extraordinary professional musicians from across the region.

During the 2022-23 season the BCO Celebrates Rising Stars! On Sunday, November 20th, the BCO’s former concertmaster Madeline Adkins returns in Barber’s Violin Concerto, on Sunday, January 22nd, virtuoso violinist Daniel Rafimayeri shines in Bruch’s Violin Concerto No.1, pianist Xiaohui Yang performs Mozart’s final Piano Concerto No. 27 on Sunday, March 19th and the season concludes with Keila Wakao performing Prokofiev’s Violin Concerto No.2 on Sunday, May 14th. Tickets for all performances are available at www.thebco.org/tickets. All students attend concerts for free with a valid Student ID. Performances take place in Kraushaar Auditorium at Goucher College. Free parking is available. More information about the BCO can be found at www.thebco.org.