Soulful Symphony Celebrates 15 Years In Baltimore

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- The soul of the symphony comes alive this weekend with Soulful Symphony. The predominantly African-American orchestra celebrates 15 wildly successful seasons in Baltimore.

Gigi Barnett has more.

Rehearsal is a time to get all of the kinks out of a performance. No show butterflies there but, for Darin Atwater---founder and artistic director of Soulful Symphony---it's the most nerve=wracking.

"For me, rehearsal is kind of chaotic but when I walk out on stage at 8 o'clock, it's like I'm born for this moment here," he said.

The moment is years in the making. This weekend, Atwater will celebrate his symphony's 15th anniversary. Soulful Symphony is where high art orchestra music meets pop culture that includes gospel, jazz and R&B. Atwater wanted the combination to bring a diverse audience of music-lovers together.

"It's just my way of trying to bridge that gap and getting people to understand we have common ground," he said.

At least 85 members of the Soulful Symphony will fill the stage this weekend. Their performance kicks off the BSO's holiday concert season.

The Soulful Symphony's 15th anniversary performances are Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. at the Meyerhoff. Tickets are still available.