Glen Mar To Present Two More Outstanding Events in its 2023 Summer Concert Series
After the tremendously successful Bayside Big Band concert on May 19, Glen Mar will offer two more free stellar performances in 2023 – the Baltimore Symphony Youth Orchestra and Footworks Percussive Dance Ensemble. Mark your calendars for the following free one-hour performances.
Baltimore Symphony Youth Orchestra – Sunday, June 18, 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Enjoy the music of the Mid-Atlantic region’s most talented middle and high school musicians in Glen Mar’s Spirit Center.
Seventy-seven BSYO students will perform at this concert. This orchestra will be 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 premiere of “Far and Away,” a musical composition by Baltimore Symphony Orchestra Interim Director of Education and Community Engagement Brian Prechtl.
Jonathan Rush conducts 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.
Concert flyers are available to download:
Footworks Percussive Dance Ensemble – Friday, August 4, 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Footworks will celebrate American music, percussive dance, and their roots in Glen Mar’s Spirit Center. With world-class musicians and dancers, 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 more information about Footworks, visit their website.
Our First 2023 Performance
Bayside Big Band performed the first concert in our 2023 series. While 350 people watched on chairs and blankets on May 19, the band’s 17-piece orchestra and singer, Monica Gillam, performed well-known classics such as “Come Dance with Me,” “Big Spender,” and “Over the Rainbow.”
The band was not the only attraction that the Summer Concert Series featured that evening. Three food trucks – Greek on the Street, Kona Ice, and Breaking the Borders – also drew folks to the area.
“It was fun to have somewhere to go for a good time,” commented Katie Elledge, who spent much of the hour-long concert dancing with her husband, Shawn. Katie was also pleased that the event was a safe place to take their two children, ages 7 and 5.
“The band packed a lot of good music into an hour,” praised Lauri Mendenhall who drove to the event from her home in Stevensville, MD. Lauri particularly liked the singer.
Our 2023 Supporters
Thanks so much to our 2023 supporters. The Howard County Arts Council awarded Glen Mar’s Summer Concert Series a $5,500 grant. Other major benefactors are Harry H. Witzke’s Family Funeral Home for its sponsorship, and two generous contributors, “Friends of the Music Program at Glen Mar Church” and a donation made 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 primarily 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 Connie Ballenger (director of publicity), 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 Glen Mar Summer Concert Series, email su************@gl********.org.
