Hagerstown, MD – February 29, 2024 – The Maryland Symphony Orchestra (MSO) is thrilled to announce its upcoming concert series, “Drum Roll, Please!” at The Maryland Theatre on Saturday, March 9, 2024, at 7:30 PM, and Sunday, March 10, 2024, at 3:00 PM. The concert, led by Maestra Elizabeth Schulze, will feature MSO Concertmaster Robert Martin.
The program includes a captivating repertoire featuring works by notable composers such as Juan Crisóstomo Arriaga, Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges, Christoph Willibald Gluck, and Franz Joseph Haydn. The concert will showcase Arriaga’s dynamic “Overture in D major, Op. 20,” the dramatic intensity of Gluck’s “Overture to Orpheus and Eurydice,” and the thrilling percussion of Haydn’s iconic “Symphony No. 103 in E-flat ‘Drumroll.'” Audiences will also be treated to the lyrical beauty of Chevalier de Saint-Georges’ “Violin Concerto in A, Op. 7 No. 1,” featuring the virtuosic talents of MSO Concertmaster Robert Martin.
Robert Martin currently serves as Concertmaster of the MSO and is a member of the U.S. Army Strings, an ensemble of the United States Army Band, also known as “Pershing’s Own” in Washington, DC. His extensive and diverse musical background includes performances with the Philadelphia, Richmond, Delaware, Lancaster, and Princeton Symphony Orchestras, Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia, and Symphony in C. He has collaborated with touring artists such as Julie Andrews, Frank Sinatra, Jr., Bernadette Peters, Barry Manilow, Elvis Costello, Patti LaBelle, Luciano Pavarotti, Josh Groban, and K.D. Lang.
A native of the Philadelphia area, Robert Martin began his violin studies at age three with Rochelle Walton, a former teaching assistant to famed pedagogue Ivan Galamian. He later studied with Julian Meyer and Sylvia Ahramjian at Temple University’s Center for Gifted Young Musicians. At age 13, Martin made his solo debut with the Philadelphia Orchestra as the winner of the Albert M. Greenfield competition. He continued his studies with Zvi Zeitlin at the University of Rochester’s Eastman School of Music, where he served as Concertmaster of the Eastman Philharmonia and regularly performed with the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra.
Martin’s extensive and diverse experience includes performances with the Opera Company of Philadelphia, the Pennsylvania Ballet, Peter Nero and the Philly Pops, Orchestra 2001, and the Baltimore and Richmond Symphony Orchestras. He has been a resident artist at the Music Academy of the West in Santa Barbara, California, and at the Bravo! Vail Valley, Skaneateles, and Vermont Mozart festivals. A member of The U.S. Army Strings since 2011, Martin has performed at numerous high-level diplomatic, political, and military events in Washington, D.C. He served as Concertmaster of the U.S. Army Orchestra from 2015 to 2021. Previously, he served as Principal Second Violin of the Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia.
The Maryland Symphony Orchestra expresses deep gratitude to concert sponsor Deborah Bockrath, whose dedication helps make these performances possible.
Don’t miss this opportunity to experience the Maryland Symphony Orchestra’s “Drum Roll, Please!” concert. Tickets are available now and can be purchased online at www.marylandsymphony.org or by calling the box office at (301) 797-4000.
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About Maryland Symphony Orchestra: Founded in 1982, the Maryland Symphony Orchestra is celebrating its 42nd season as the area’s premier professional orchestra. Under the musical direction of Maestra Elizabeth Schulze, the Maryland Symphony Orchestra is dedicated to providing musical performances that educate and entertain, while enhancing the cultural environment of Western Maryland and the surrounding region. Learn more: www.marylandsymphony.org.
