On June 4, 2026, the Mid-Atlantic Symphony Orchestra presented its annual Legacy Award Dinner at the Talbot Country Club, honoring internationally acclaimed mezzo-soprano Denyce Graves and celebrating the future of the Orchestra through a landmark fundraising effort.

The evening, which began with cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, was followed by a special performance by the
MSO String Quartet which paid tribute to Graves’ extraordinary career, performing selections from the operas “Carmen” and “Porgy and Bess,” two works closely associated with Graves.

During the evening, MSO Board President Jeffrey Parker celebrated Denyce Graves’ career and lasting impact on the arts before presenting her with the Mid-Atlantic Symphony Orchestra’s 2026 Legacy Award plaque and introducing her to the audience. Graves reflected on her remarkable career spanning more than four decades on the world’s leading opera stages. She also spoke about the privilege of carrying forward the great operatic traditions through the iconic roles she has performed and the responsibility artists have to inspire future generations. She discussed the importance of education in her life and career, describing it as one of the most meaningful and rewarding aspects of her professional journey. Graves also shared her commitment to nurturing young artists through The Denyce Graves Foundation and her belief that education remains one of the most powerful tools for expanding access to the arts.

The evening also included a four-course dinner, and a live auction and paddle raise in which the orchestra raised over $250,000 for an upcoming 30th Anniversary Recording Project, “Imagine Utopia.” The recording will feature Grammy-nominated composers David T. Little, Clarice Assad, and Robert Paterson, along with the Grammy-nominated Neave Trio. The project will include three world premiere recordings and serve as a lasting artistic statement celebrating the Orchestra’s 30th anniversary season.