CSM Arts Season Kicks Off

The first arts program at the College of Southern Maryland has begun, and the community is invited to enjoy shows, see recitals, peruse artwork and sometimes participate in this excellent lineup that makes up the college’s arts season.

Added to the schedule this season is the Benny C. Morgan Recital Series at the Leonardtown Campus beginning in October and the CSM Pops Concert! in April featuring the college’s Barbershop Chorus, Latin Ensemble, and Chorale and Chamber Choirs. Also new this year is the option to purchase tickets online. Visit the Box Office website.

Visual Arts

The community is invited to immerse themselves in captivating art created by students, and local and national artists.

Gregory T. Davis’ “Impermanence of Knowledge” will be shown Nov. 14- Dec. 8, 2016. Jim Arendt’s “Selvage” will be from Feb. 6-March 9, 2017 followed by the Annual Juried Student Exhibition from April 10-May 5. Submissions for the student exhibition will be accepted from March 28 to April 1, 2017. The jury will select exhibition works April 5.

These shows will be at the Tony Hungerford Memorial Art Gallery at the La Plata Campus, Fine Arts Center. The gallery is open 9 am to 9 pm Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday. Artist lectures are usually held Tuesday afternoons and are free and open to the public.

Music

New this year is the Benny C. Morgan Recital Series at the Leonardtown Campus. Morgan, who passed away in February 2016, donated a Steinway piano to the college. This new music series was created to honor the memory of this local music teacher and his generous donation.

Artists performing include mezzo-soprano Hannah Baslee at 8 pm Nov. 19, Southern Maryland Chamber Ensemble at 8 pm March 4 and Southern Maryland Chamber Players at 8 pm April 15.

The Southern Maryland Concert Band will perform at the La Plata Campus at 8 pmMay 6. Jazz Ensemble concerts will be held at 8 pm Dec. 3 at the La Plata Campus and at 7:30 pm Dec. 5 at the Leonardtown Campus.

A chorale and chamber choir concert will be at 8 pm Dec. 9 at the La Plata Campus and 7:30 pm May 4 at the Leonardtown Campus.

Literature

Connections Literary Series includes readings each semester with established and emerging writers as well as fall and spring publications representing submissions in poetry, short story, photography and art from students and the Southern Maryland community.

Poet Rick Benjamin will give a reading of his work at 7:30 pm Nov. 4 on the Leonardtown Campus.

In addition to the Connections readings, the Connections Magazine is a regional literary journal published twice a year that features poems, stories, artwork and photography of Southern Maryland residents. A reading by contributors to the magazine will take place at 7:30 pm Dec. 2 on the La Plata Campus Center for Business and Industry (BI) Building, Dr. John M. Sine Conference Room 103/104 at 8730 Mitchell Road, La Plata. The event is free. Another reading will be held May 5. To be considered for fall 2016’s issue, the deadline for submissions is Oct. 31.

Connections readings are also set at 7:30 pm March 3 with novelist Sunil Yapa and at 7:30 .. April 7 with poet Frank X. Walker.

Audio files of previous readings are available on the CSMDTube YouTube site.

The college’s rich blend of offerings can satisfy any appetite for art. All three CSM campuses present a variety of artistic expressions. For information, visit the CSM website.

The central box office for all three campuses is in the Fine Arts Center on the La Plata Campus. To reach the box office, call 301-934-7828 or email [email protected]. Tickets are available online.

St. Mary’s

CSM Benny C. Morgan Recital Series. The Chamber Players. 8 pm Oct. 15. College of Southern Maryland, Leonardtown Campus, Building A., Room 206, 22950 Hollywood Road, Leonardtown. Free.

CSM Connections Literary Series: Rick Benjamin. 7:30 pm Nov. 4. College of Southern Maryland, Leonardtown Campus Auditorium, 22950 Hollywood Road. Rick Benjamin, state poet of Rhode Island. $3 in advance, $5 at the event, $3 with CSM Student ID. [email protected], 301-934-7864, http://www.csmd.edu/connections.

CSM Benny C. Morgan Recital Series. Hannah Baslee, mezzo-soprano. 8 pm Nov. 19. College of Southern Maryland, Leonardtown Campus, Building A., Room 206, 22950 Hollywood Road, Leonardtown. Free.

CSM Jazz Ensemble Concert. 7:30 pm Dec. 5. College of Southern Maryland, Leonardtown Campus, Building A., Room 206, 22950 Hollywood Road, Leonardtown. CSM’s Jazz Ensemble Solid Brass, directed by Randy Runyon, will perform an assortment of holiday classics in the big band swing style. $5 in advance, $7 day of event.

CSM Benny C. Morgan Recital Series. Southern Maryland Chamber Ensemble. 8 p.m. March 4. College of Southern Maryland, Leonardtown Campus, Building A., Room 206, 22950 Hollywood Road, Leonardtown.

CSM Benny C. Morgan Recital Series. Southern Maryland Chamber Players. 8 p.m. April 15. College of Southern Maryland, Leonardtown Campus, Building A., Room 206, 22950 Hollywood Road, Leonardtown. Free.

CSM Chorale and Chamber Choir Concert. 7:30 pm May 4. College of Southern Maryland, Leonardtown Campus, Building A., Room 206, 22950 Hollywood Road, Leonardtown. CSM’s Chorale will be joined by the Chamber Choir in performing an assortment of classics. $5 in advance, $7 day of concert.

For more about the College of Southern Maryland, visit their Leader member page.