HCPSS Announces Howard County Youth Orchestra Rebrand and Inaugural Performance with Guster at Merriweather, May 21, 2023

March 13th, 2023

The Howard County Public School System (HCPSS) is pleased to announce the rebranding of the High School Gifted and Talented Orchestra as the Howard County Youth Orchestra (HCYO), and the scheduling of its inaugural performance with Guster at Merriweather Post Pavilion on Sunday, May 21, 2023, at 7:30 p.m. This concert represents a unique opportunity for HCPSS students to play in a phenomenal concert venue alongside the highly talented alternative-rock band Guster.

“I am excited to collaborate with the Downtown Columbia Arts and Culture Commission to provide students with opportunities for musical performances such as this,” said HCPSS Superintendent Dr. Michael J. Martirano. “I am pleased that we have been able to leverage our community partners to provide students access to world class musical performance experiences. These types of robust arts programming are a terrific way to inspire students and at the same time strengthen our community.”

The HCYO is the premier high school performing ensemble that represents the highest musical accomplishment in the school system. The orchestra has previously performed side-by-side concerts with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, as well as in stand-alone performances at the Kennedy Center, Carnegie Hall, Dekelboum Concert Hall, Strathmore Music Center, and The Midwest Clinic in Chicago.

As the ensemble begins to champion new, exciting performing opportunities with other professional organizations outside of Howard County, its new name will support branding the ensemble as the flagship youth orchestra in Howard County.

“It is an exciting time for our Howard County Arts ecosystem,” said Terry Eberhardt, HCPSS Coordinator of Music. “Our students, parents, teachers, business partners and greater community coming together for the betterment of humanity is inspirational and powerful. We are proud of our students and look forward to this groundbreaking opportunity to collaborate with Guster at the legendary Merriweather Post Pavilion. This show promises to be EPIC!”

The performance with Guster is made possible in part by the generous support of Howard County Government, the Howard County Arts Council, the Maryland State Arts Council, and Downtown Columbia Arts and Culture Commission’s donors and sponsors.

Tickets for the general public go on sale on Friday, March 17, 2023, and may be purchased at www.ticketmaster.com.