Young Musicians of Baltimore

History of YMOB

How it all began…

In the fall of 2019, Doug Jameson was appointed Conductor of the FAME Youth Orchestra. As a result of the COVID shutdown in March 2020, the FAME orchestra was unable to hold its spring performance. Sadly, after 35 years, Collette and Tom Wichert, who, together with Anne Lane Vousough, founded the FAME Orchestra in 1985, decided it was time to retire.

As Conductor of FAME, Director of Strings at the Park School of Baltimore since 2003, and FAME cello coach for over 20 years, Doug Jameson recognized that now, more than ever, talented middle and high school musicians need a supportive and non-competitive place to push their orchestral and chamber music skills to new heights. Many school string programs have ended or been cut from the school day in the past 15 years, leaving young musicians with fewer opportunities to experience the joy of being part of a musical community. Melissa Hullman also had many students perform with FAME over the years and had served as a guest coach for the violin section, and offered her support for creating what came to be Young Musicians of Baltimore.

The founders of FAME created something vital and unique to the music scene in Baltimore, and YMOB has much gratitude for their vision, work ethic, and ability to inspire young people. Heartfelt thanks go to the Wicherts, Anne Lane, and conductor emerita Lucy Rouse for their dedication to enhancing the lives of student musicians by providing them with dynamic musical experiences and community in the pursuit of artistic excellence.