The Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center on the University of Maryland, College Park, campus may be one of the area’s area finest destinations for enjoying inexpensive, professionally presented music, dance and theater in a state-of-the-art performance venue.
If you go
Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center
Where: University of Maryland, College Park
Info: 301-405-2787; for a full schedule of performances, visit claricesmithcenter.umd.edu
In the Elsie & Marvin Dekelboum Concert Hall (one of six major halls and theaters in the complex), the School of Music, under the direction of Robert Gibson, has vigorously jumped into spring with a diverse student and faculty concert calendar. “There’s energy from the young people that is really like no other experience because … they are playing this great literature and also new works for the first time,” Gibson said. “The level of [orchestral] excitement is palpable.”
Gibson also noted this energy is infectious among the community it serves.
From March’s end into early May, concerts range from full orchestra presenting the classics to chamber music by the university’s Wind Orchestra to the pops.
The Hero’s Life on March 26 features the music of Richard Strauss, while the Wind Orchestra explores the worlds of Beethoven, Mozart and Alban Berg on March 27. For its final concert of the 2009-10 season on April 30, the orchestra presents Titans, taking on the works of Beethoven and Berlioz.
In Evening Prayer … Bedtime Stories presented April 18, the 50-voice University Chorale performs Solemn Vespers.
“I think the theme we are trying to convey through the music — Evening Prayer … Bedtime Stories makes for an interesting and entertaining program,” said Nicole Aldrich, director of the University Chorale. “The Mozart is exquisite, the Rutter is youthful and fun, and the Vaughan Williams is hauntingly beautiful.”
At the Annual Pops Concert on May 1, faculty artists Carmen Balthrop (soprano) and Rita Sloan (piano) join the university’s Wind Ensemble to pay tribute to the great American songwriting team of George and Ira Gershwin.
The Wind Orchestra on May 6 showcases the talents of Stephen Dumaine on electric tuba in a program titled Post-Modern/Romantic-ism.
A complete listing of concerts, some of which are free, can be found on the Clarice Smith Web site.
“We’re here for the community who are going to hear music making in an environment of learning,” Gibson said. “The energy and enthusiasm the students bring to [audiences] and the beauty of this particular venue make a very winning combination.”
