Music

Seniors sitting together in a circle, clapping hands while listening to a saxophone player

The Senior Class

/ 10 minutes of reading

Retrievers for life, that’s UMBC’s promise, and a  group of residents at Charlestown’s senior living community are keeping their end of the bargain. Located two miles away from UMBC’s Catonsville campus, 60 or so retired and current faculty, staff, alumni, and friends at Charlestown are enjoying the ongoing cultural and educational perks of the two institutions. Several of these “Friends of UMBC” are laying the groundwork for continued exchange and connection—jazz concerts, classes about gender and sexuality, high-profile speakers—leaving a legacy for future generations to follow. Continue Reading The Senior Class

Live Music Strikes a Chord for Retrievers

/ 3 minutes of reading

It may be coincidental that UMBC was founded in the midst of rock n’ roll’s most revolutionary years, but early Retrievers certainly made sure to create spaces to bring live music to the campus, in intimate settings and on much bigger stages. Since then, iconic bands and artists such as Frank Zappa, the Goo Goo Dolls, Alanis Morissette, All-American Rejects, the Strokes, Brand New, Foo Fighters, Yellowcard, All Time Low, My Chemical Romance, and more, have all played shows for UMBC’s students. But while UMBC has a rich history of hosting renowned artists, they have always had a soft spot… Continue Reading Live Music Strikes a Chord for Retrievers

In a laboratory, a woman in a white lab coat and glasses smiles at the camera

Pam Voulalas ’24—From molecular neuropharmacologist to classical music composer

/ 10 minutes of reading

As a high school student, Pam Voulalas ’24 was an aspiring clarinetist, determined to major in music and secure a position in a major symphony orchestra. But, on learning how infrequently symphony positions become available, she put down her clarinet. For 37 years. Instead, she embarked on a career in the sciences, earning a Ph.D. and joining the faculty at the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy. Now, decades later, she returned to school, and graduates this week with a B.A. in music from UMBC. Q: What was your career path in the sciences? A: My Ph.D. studies were focused… Continue Reading Pam Voulalas ’24—From molecular neuropharmacologist to classical music composer

Man sitting behind a drum kit playing under purple lighting.

Sharing the beat of his own drum—Connor LeFevre ’23 finds success through UMBC’s music tech program

/ 7 minutes of reading

On a chilly February night, some of the most dedicated local music fans pile in for a floor show at a small grunge venue, Baltimore’s Ottobar. When the first band, Lean Tee, takes the floor and begins playing, the mood of the room shifts from anticipation to excitement. Connor LeFevre ’23, music technology, sits behind the drum kit in the center. This show represents a pretty typical night for LeFevre, as he has centered his life around music—a career move, he said, made possible by his major at UMBC, which gave him full-time access to recording spaces and instructors who remain active in their musical fields. Continue Reading Sharing the beat of his own drum—Connor LeFevre ’23 finds success through UMBC’s music tech program

Green trees line brick academic buildings as students walk on campus

7 ways to spring into the arts at UMBC

/ 5 minutes of reading

As flowers start popping up on campus and we get some warmer (if rainy) days, it’s the perfect time to go out and catch some of the arts events happening at UMBC. Whether you need a break from studying, work, or are just looking for some fun, you can be sure to find many entertaining and thought provoking arts and culture events happening on campus! 1. Enjoy an Artful Conversation All About Dance No dance skills are required to enjoy an evening all about dance with Artful Conversations: An Evening with Misty Copeland. On the night of March 6, from… Continue Reading 7 ways to spring into the arts at UMBC

In a sepia-toned photos, a group of seven musicians with instruments

Livewire Explores the Transformative Power of Music

/ 2 minutes of reading

From October 18 through 21, Livewire, UMBC’s annual festival exploring the music of our times, takes center stage in Linehan Concert Hall. This year, Livewire investigates the power of music to transform. A recital by pianist Idith Meshulam Korman and her collaborator Reese Todd Basile opens the festival with an intimate view of how music has delivered hope and possibilities in a correctional facility; on Saturday, the Decoda ensemble will perform songs and music written by incarcerated musicians. “We’re asking some challenging questions,” says Airi Yoshioka, professor of music and violinist, who serves as director of this year’s Livewire festival.… Continue Reading Livewire Explores the Transformative Power of Music

pep band director Corbett-Wilson leads the band outside of the Event Center

Alum Bentley Corbett-Wilson trumpets the pep band and school spirit

/ 4 minutes of reading

Bentley Corbett-Wilson ’17, music education, M.A. ’20, teaching, is UMBC’s director of athletic bands, leading the school pep ensemble, the Down and Dirty Dawg Band. He is a musician (trumpet is his main instrument), band director at Lake Elkhorn Middle School, and faculty member at the International School of Music. But he introduces himself as UMBC’s pep band director first. Q: How long have you been involved in music and performance? A: I think I officially became a “musician” in middle school band in sixth grade. I joined the Las Vegas Youth Orchestra Philharmonic and traveled to China, then I… Continue Reading Alum Bentley Corbett-Wilson trumpets the pep band and school spirit

A group of people are seated around a dining table. They smile at the camera.

UMBC’s vibrant learning community helps students discover careers to fit their passions

/ 5 minutes of reading

Performers of the music piece “Corporel,” by the French-Slovenian composer Vinko Globokar, must use their own body as a percussion instrument. To Brandon Gouin ’23, music performance, learning the work was a highlight of his time at UMBC. Gouin credits his teachers and mentors with helping him reach that moment on stage—as well as with helping him find his career path as an artist. Other Class of 2023 graduates say they encountered similar opportunities for growth and expression at UMBC. Continue Reading UMBC’s vibrant learning community helps students discover careers to fit their passions

Student on UMBC campus smiling for photo

Learning and leading through equity-focused music education

/ 2 minutes of reading

Tim Edwards is a student leader who serves his community through music, making an impact one note at a time. In addition to performing in UMBC’s Jazz Ensemble, Musical Theatre Club pit orchestra, and Wind Ensemble—including leading the arrangement, rehearsal, and conducting of an original composition last fall—he has focused his energy on music education. Continue Reading Learning and leading through equity-focused music education

10 people in professional clothing pose, smiling at camera in front of GRIT-X 2022 backdrop.

GRIT-X 2022 brings to life the “essence” of UMBC research and creative achievement

/ 5 minutes of reading

Amid a bustling day filled with Homecoming excitement, GRIT-X returned to UMBC this month for its sixth year, delivering a wide-ranging lineup of Retriever excellence in action. Held in the Fine Arts Recital Hall, this year’s GRIT-X was the first for new UMBC President Valerie Sheares Ashby. Enjoying one engaging talk after another, she deemed the event “the essence of UMBC.” Continue Reading GRIT-X 2022 brings to life the “essence” of UMBC research and creative achievement

a man in a peach colored shirt and a hat plays a cabasa

Music Man

/ 4 minutes of reading

Devin Walker ’89, political science, is a man with a plan. And a cause and a vision and a passion. Oh, and a Grammy nomination. “Uncle Devin, the Children’s Drumcussionist,” as he’s known professionally, was nominated for a Grammy for Best Children’s Music Album in 2022 as a member of the 1 Tribe Collective, one of his many top-level endeavors that center around education, music, and young people. He’s the musical muscle and co-owner of The Uncle Devin Show, an interactive musical experience for children that uses percussion instruments to inspire both fun and critical thinking. Walker also runs a… Continue Reading Music Man

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