By: Danielle Ulman

In the space of less than a year I have had the privilege of seeing two sensational and exceptionally different performances at the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra.

The first time I got to hobnob with the city’s elite, courtesy of tickets from the office, with a tented gourmet feast, complete with chocolates on lollipop sticks. That night I sat in the Meyerhoff with a crowd of music lovers dressed in tuxedos and gowns and listened to Yo-Yo Ma perform at the BSO’s gala event.

Thursday night’s scene had an even more rarefied tone as dreadlocked guys and girls in tattered jeans, homemade skirts and tie-dye or belly-baring tops mingled with a more buttoned-up crowd for a performance by Trey Anastasio, lead singer of the jam-band Phish, with the BSO.

There were no signs asking for a “miracle” (Phish-fan lingo for needing a ticket to a show), butterfly wings or even dancing in the aisles. I admit to being surprised at the civility of it all, although one guy did try to throw his glow sticks into the balcony at the end of the show.

It was a night that seemed to signal change at the BSO under the leadership of Marin Alsop, the symphony’s “maestra,” as they try to usher in a new generation of music aficionados to their shows. Even the members of the orchestra, who usually show up in tuxedos and gowns, lightened things up with black shirts and slacks.

Trey seemed alternately at ease on stage, rocking out to his own music at times, and then as if he might burst into a fit of nervous laughter as fans in the crowd yelled out requests or randomly whooped with glee. No matter, even if he had gotten on stage and just said “hi,” his adoring fans would have given him an ovation.

I don’t remember how many ovations Yo-Yo Ma received in September, but Trey’s fans jumped to their feet five times on Thursday. Being the music lovers that they are, the audience saved the biggest cheer of the night for the members of the orchestra.

If the goal of the BSO was to attract more young people to the symphony, I think the sold-out show was a success. As my fiance and I walked to our car, he said it was the best birthday present he had ever gotten. Then he said something like, “It’s the best of both worlds. Classical musicians playing Phish songs, what could be better?”

I think the BSO may have phished his wish.