The Baltimore String Orchestra Camp was founded in 1974 by violin/violist teacher Anne Lane Vosough at the Bryn Mawr School in Baltimore, Maryland. Her vision was to establish a summer camp opportunity for young string students to perform together. From a modest beginning, Baltimore String Orchestra Camp has grown to now offer four orchestra programs, viola/cello/bass ensemble, and Suzuki Violin.
Baltimore String Orchestra Camp and the Maryland Children’s Chorus performed at the Meyerhoff Symphony Hall in 1988 as a fundraiser for MECA, Missing and Exploited Children’s Association, featuring Daniel Heifitz, violin. It was a huge success.
In 2020, Balto String Orchestra Camp, Inc. was formed as a non-profit organization. We are recognized by the IRS as a public charity. This is the successor company to Baltimore String Orchestra Camp.
Through the years, BSOC has had many future musicians and music educators attend as young players. Some distinguished former students include William Terwilliger. Professor of Violin, University of South Carolina, Columbia, David Hardy, principal cellist, National Symphony Orchestra, Molly Baer, member of Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra, and Hilary Hahn, Grammy award winning violinist.
String students from age 5 to 18 are eligible to attend. Classes are from two hours to all day (9:00 – 5:00) depending upon program. Daily instruction in viola/cello/bass ensemble, Suzuki violin, orchestra, sectionals and enrichment classes are coached by qualified musicians and music educators. Suzuki violin students are divided by ability level for group instruction. String students are placed in orchestras after the audition except for Beginning Orchestra which does not require an audition.