By Connie Ballenger

Since its inception in 2017, Glen Mar’s Summer Concert Series has enhanced countless folks’ lives with a variety of stellar performances at no charge. This summer will be no different, but you can add nostalgic melodies, the opportunity to buy food, and (weather permitting) dancing to the list of reasons to enjoy this summer’s tuneful fare.

There’s another difference between 2023 and past years – this year the series will increase its offerings to three concerts. This expansion was made possible by the awarding of a $5,500 grant to the series from the Howard County Arts Council. Funding also comes from sponsors and donations. Concerts will remain free and last one hour.

The Bayside Big Band will hit the stage on Fri-day, May 19 at 7:00 p.m. With Greek on the Street and Kona Ice food trucks on site between 5:00 and 7:30 p.m folks can skip dinner preparations and enjoy a pleasant evening outside. If there is a weather issue, the concert will be moved inside to Glen Mar’s Spirit Center. Bring chairs and/or blankets.

For those who want a dose of nostalgia, Bayside performs the music of famous big bands from the 1930s to the present day, including the early traditional swing sounds and modern sounds. Seventeen instrumentalists and one singer will jazz up the stage. Bayside is a band that caters to dancers. If the event is held outdoors, attendees are welcome to cut a rug.

At the next series concert on Sunday, June 18 at 7:00 p.m. the Baltimore Symphony Youth Orchestra will prove that it has the most musically talented middle and high school students in the Mid-Atlantic region. Seventy-seven BSYO students will perform. This orchestra is composed of the violin, viola, cello, bass, flute, clarinet, oboe, bassoon, trumpet, horn, trombone, tuba, and percussion.

This concert will kick off the BSYO’s European tour and will feature the premier of “Far and Away,” a musical composition by Baltimore Symphony Orchestra Interim Director of Education and Community Engagement Brian Prechtl. Jonathan Rush will conduct the BSYO. These students receive additional coaching from BSYO musicians as well as occasional guest conductors.

The BSYO provides student musicians in Baltimore and its surrounding counties the opportunity to perform symphonic masterworks as well as exciting new repertoires by living composers.

The Footworks Percussive Dance Ensemble will celebrate American music, percussive dance, and their roots on Friday, Aug. 4 at 7:00 p.m. With world-class musicians and danc-ers, this performance will showcase the intricate footwork and lively rhythms of Irish step dance, South African gumboot dance, Appalachian clogging, tap dance and more. Don’t be surprised if you dance in your seat.

For the latest on these concerts, visit our Summer Concerts web page.