The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra is an American symphony orchestra based in Baltimore, Maryland. The Baltimore SO has its principal residence at the Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall, where it performs more than 130 concerts a year. In 2005, it began regular performances at the Music Center at Strathmore in Bethesda. 　　Marin Alsop is the Baltimore SO's current music director since 2007, the first female conductor in the post. 　　Founded in 1916, the Baltimore SO is the only major American orchestra originally established as a branch of the municipal government. Reorganized as a private institution in 1942, it maintains close relationships with the governments and communities of the city and surrounding counties, as well as with the State of Maryland. 　　The Baltimore SO's modern history dates from 1965, when Baltimore arts patron Joseph Meyerhoff became president of the Orchestra, a position he held for 18 years. Meyerhoff appointed Romanian-born conductor Sergiu Comissiona as music director. Beginning February 2017, Peter T. Kjome serves as the President and CEO. The Baltimore SO's Principal Pops Conductor is Jack Everly. Yuri Temirkanov, Music Director from 2000-2006, now has the title of Music Director Emeritus. The orchestra's current BSO-Peabody Conducting Fellow is Michael Repper. In 2016, the BSO appointed Tonya McBride Robles as Vice President and General Manager.