We’ll Be Back in 2026

Check back here in the spring to learn about Glen Mar’s 2026 Summer Concert Series

August 8, 2025 Event – Concert Audiences Showed Up in Force for the Military

You can always count on military members to draw a big crowd when they perform at Glen Mar’s Summer Concert Series. With more than 600 people attending, The U.S. Army Field Band’s “Broadway Through the Ages” show on August 8 was no exception. In fact, it was a blockbuster hit.

The only event in the Summer Concert Series, which started in 2017, that approximated 600 in attendance was held June 25, 2021, outside at Glen Mar when folks flocked here after Covid had kept them from gatherings for more than a year.  The performing group that evening was related to The U.S. Army Field Band – it was The U.S. Army Field Band’s Federal Brass.

At the “Broadway Through the Ages’ show, attendees amassed in the Spirit Center with overflow audiences watching on screens in the chapel and Gathering Place.

Wearing dress Army uniforms, the Soldiers’ Chorus, sang 13 songs, which were a mix of solos, duets, and a large ensemble. The Soldiers’ Chorus was accompanied by members of its Concert Band and Jazz Ambassadors on the piano, bass, and drums.

Master Sgt. Sarah Schram-Borg and Sgt. First Class Sarah Polinski produced the show.

Some tunes, like “As We Stumble Along” from The Drowsy Chaperone and “Tear Jerk” from I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change tickled our funny bones. While others like “The Music of the Night” from The Phantom of the Opera and “Tonight” from West Side Story were packed with drama.

While most audience members had not been born when Judy Garland performed “The Trolley Song” in 1944’s Meet Me in St. Louis, The U.S. Army Field Band’s rendition of it rang lots of bells for movie and Broadway lovers.

“(The show) was fantastic,” stated Thomas Schwartzenburg of Laurel. “Every one of the performers was gifted.”

“There was lots of variety, and their range of singing was incredible,” commented Karol Hess.

July 18, 2025 Event – Family Spread Guatemalan Culture

The 250 people who attended Glen Mar’s Marimba Linda Xelaju concert on July 18 in the Spirit Center, heard Guatemalan music and culture come alive vibrantly.

During its one-hour performance, the band played 13 songs on the marimba, Guatemala’s national instrument. The group’s songs included the lively, carnival-like “La Calle Doce“ and, to represent indigenous Guatemalans, “El Rey Quiche.” Only one of those melodies (“New York, New York”) strayed from Guatemalan culture. 

Marimba Linda Xelaju was founded by Robert Giron Sr., who hails from Guatemala but came to this country to live in 1983. He formed this band, which is mostly composed of family members, after he taught his three children (Jennifer Flores, Beverly Bonilla and Robert Giron, Jr.) to play the marimba. The band expanded as the family grew. Beverly’s husband (Jeffrey Bonilla) now plays guiro and maracas while two of Mr. Giron’s grandchildren (Isabella Flores and Sophie Flores) perform on the marimba.   

The only non-family band members performing at this concert were Jorge Matinez on the electric bass and Walter Sanchez on drums. 

During the concert, Mr. Giron’s three children provided information about Guatemala and the marimba, a pitched percussion instrument played with mallets. Owners customize the front of this instrument. Mr. Giron elected to display Mayans, pyramids, and ruins on two types of wood on his marimba. 

“(The concert) represented Guatemala well,” commented Van Beall. 

“I enjoyed the interplay of the family, the joy of the grandfather watching his family play,” remarked Joni Hartman. 

Lillian Lehnert said this concert was “fantastic. It makes me want to go to Guatemala.”

June 27, 2025 Event – High Praise for Ensemble132’s Concert 

Sitting close to each other in the center front of a darkened Spirit Center on the evening of June 27, five ensemble132 chamber musicians, dressed in black, poured their hearts, souls, and musical expertise into executing a unique version of Igor Stravinsky’s Petrouchka and of Johannes Brahms’ Piano Quintet.  During their 90-minute performance, the music ran the gamut from slow to energetic and from light-hearted to intense and climatic.

The result: audience members’ reviews could not have been more glowing.

“It’s the only concert I’ve ever been to that made my heart flutter,” raved Jean Maase.

Adrienne Taylor couldn’t get over the way the musicians “didn’t just sit still, they were part of the music.” She said her two-year-old grandson was “mesmerized” during a large portion of the concert.

“It was one of the best if not the best performances I’ve ever heard,” gushed Chuck Hilterbrick.

At least one professional musician also put his stamp of high approval on the concert.  “They were first rate in every way. They had unanimity of spirit and understanding of each piece,” praised Dr. John Walker, who has played the organ throughout the United States, Europe, and Asia. He just retired from Johns Hopkins Peabody Institute after 20 years of teaching there.

The cherry on top of this exceptional concert was its uniqueness.  Petrouchka was originally written in 1911 as a ballet score about a puppet who is suddenly animated with human feelings. Ensemble132’s Dr. Sahun Sam Hong rearranged Petrouchka into an intimate chamber setting. It was a “fantastic arrangement” of Stravinsky’s work, according to Kaitlin Dan, who also is a musician.

Dr. Hong also played the piano. Other performers were Maria Ioudenitch (violin), Emilie-Anne Gendron (violin), Luther Warren (viola), and Zachary Mowitz (cello).

After completing Petrouchka, the performers walked out of the Spirit Center briefly and returned to perform the Piano Quintet. That piece, originally completed in 1865, demonstrated a highly nuanced dialogue between piano and strings.

At the end of the entire masterful performance, the 150 audience members gave the musicians a standing ovation. Rebecca Litton summed up her concert experience: “It was an outstanding performance – a special treat.”

Our 2025 Supporters

These concerts are free thanks to community support. The Howard County Arts Council awarded Glen Mar’s Summer Concert Series a $5,500 grant for the 2025 season. We are grateful to our sponsor, Harry H. Witzke’s Family Funeral Home. It is located at 4112 Old Columbia Pike, Ellicott City. We are also grateful for generous donations from “Friends of the Music Program at Glen Mar Church”  and in memory of Karen Angle.

 

 

About the Summer Concert Series

Glen Mar Music Director Dr. Sophie Hong started the Summer Concert Series in 2017. Funding for these free concerts comes from sponsors, donations, and grants.

This series has offered a wide variety of quality musical experiences featuring nationally and internationally known artists.

Volunteer committee members meet a few times a year to offer advice on prospective performers and other aspects of the concerts. Committee members acquire sponsors and donors, submit grants, and publicize the events. Members of this committee are Ellen Dan, Lois Hildebrand, Patty Hutton, Fred Sadler (executive director), and Susan Straumanis.

Additional volunteers help with ushering, greeting, and technology.

Sponsor or Donate

If you are interested in sponsoring or donating to the 2026 series, email su************@********mc.org.