UPDATE: This event has been cancelled, click here for more information.
After a year of deconstructing their craft and sculpting it from the ground up, Maryland Opera Studio (MOS) first-year students are paired in operatic scenes from a wide variety of repertory. Accompanied only by piano and minimal props, these performances give our young artists a chance to shine in the purest of forms.
From the Icelandic rockstar Björk’s Overture to Dancer in the Dark to Florent Schmitt’s joyful Dionysiaques, enjoy a dynamic evening of modern masterworks for wind orchestra.
Two of the School of Music’s world music ensembles share the stage in this combined concert. The UMD Gamelan Saraswati Ensemble presents traditional Balinese gamelan music played in the kebyar style, which means “to flare up” or “burst open.” This percussion music from the Indonesian island of Bali showcases complex interlocking rhythms often performed in tandem with the delicate motions and multifaceted expressions of Balinese dance. The UMD Japanese Koto Ensemble features music played on the koto, a traditional Japanese 13-string instrument.
UPDATE: This event has been cancelled, click here for more information.
J.S. Bach, known as the great master, wrote more than 200 cantatas, and UMD Choral Activities aims to sing them all in this series of short performances by students, faculty, staff and community friends led by conductors in the graduate program. Conducted by Matthew Goinz, this performance will feature Alles nur nach Gottes Willen (Everything According to God's Will Alone), BWV 72.
The School of Music’s finest bands come together for a crowd-pleasing extravaganza. Featuring University Band, Community Band and the grand finale — the Mighty Sound of Maryland (MSOM) Marching Band! It’s an upbeat, lively show you don’t want to miss. The program will include the holiday favorite Sleigh Ride by Leroy Anderson, “Troika” from Lieutenant Kijé Suite by Serge Prokofief and the biggest hits from the MSOM's performances at this season's football games.
Five choirs, brass quintet and organ bring the joy of the holiday season to life with carols, hymns and spoken word that epitomize hope and goodwill. Program highlights include Benjamin Britten's Chorale After an Old French Carol, Levente Gyöngyösi's Gloria Kajoniesis with guest violinists James Stern and Myles Mocarski and an arrangement by S. Hatfield of Un flambeau, Jeannette, Isabelle, which originated from the Provence region of France in the 17th century. Then sing along to the beloved David Willcocks carols.
Mary Halvorson: Code Girl
The Visiting Artist Series at The Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center is postponing Porte Parole’s “The Assembly” until the 2020-21 season. This is a work of documentary theatre that speaks to contemporary issues and will provide a valuable perspective for important conversations when presented next season.
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Porte Parole (Canada): The Assembly
Interim Director of Jazz Studies Tim Powell brings together the UMD Jazz Ensemble, UMD Jazz Lab Band and the University Jazz Band in innovative interpretations of classic and contemporary jazz works including Windows by Chick Corea, Bloom by Radiohead and State Line Strut by Ellen Rowe.
Throughout the history of classical music, women have struggled to find their voice as performers, conductors and particularly composers. Many women composers are best known for their associations with their husbands or brothers such as Clara Schumann, Fanny Mendelssohn and Alma Mahler. Today, we are far closer to reaching gender equity with prolific composers like Jennifer Higdon, Joan Tower, Missy Mazzoli, Libby Larsen, Julia Wolfe, Unsuk Chin and so many more. Still, major American orchestras feature music by women in at most 10% of their seasons and as little as literally none.
