Below is a list of people from our department who were nominated as semi-finalists and finalists:

Samuel Winnie (Music Composition '16) - Semi-Finalist for the Ernst Bacon Memorial Award in Composition for his piece Nightfall in Lothlorien, performed by the UMBC Wind Ensemble conducted by faculty member Brian Kaufman and recorded by director of recording Alan Wonneberger.     

Dr. Joshua Fishbein (Adjunct Faculty) - Semi-Finalist in the Composers of Choral Music Division for his work Psalms; Songs and Blues.

UMBC Symphony Orchestra - Semi-Finalist in the Ernst Bacon Memorial Award in the Performance of American Music for their recording of William Grant Still's Afro-American Symphony conducted by faculty member Dr. Michael Richards and recorded by director of recording Alan Wonneberger.

Willie Santiago (Staff) - Finalist in the Professional Chamber Ensemble Division with his flute quartet Stranded Silver.  

Congrats to everyone from our department on this fantastic achievement and best of luck in the coming rounds! 

The complete list of results can be found on The American Prize's website.

UMBC is delighted to announce world-renowned soprano soloist Janice Chandler-Eteme as the guest artist for the Second Annual David W. Smith Memorial Gala to benefit vocal arts at UMBC.

David Smith was passionate about teaching at UMBC and touched so many lives in his short time here. The Gala celebrates David’s life as an artist and his commitment to the vocal students at UMBC, and proceeds will support an annual scholarship for a young vocalist pursuing their education at UMBC in his name. Information about the scholarship can be found at davidwsmithscholarship.com. This year’s Gala features our first recipients of the David W. Smith Scholarship for Vocal Arts, Dana Pirzchalski and Norman Crone!

The first half of the program will feature alumni artists Helen Huse Ralston ’82, Ray Aparentado (Camerata Alum), and Ric Ryder ’84. The audience will be introduced to the winner of the first David W. Smith Scholarship for Vocal Arts and enjoy a spectacular performance by the current Camerata joined by alumni from 1976 to the present under the direction of Dr. Samuel Gordon, who directed the Camerata from 1976 to 1995.

Ms. Chandler-Eteme will perform the second half of the program – her biography follows event ticketing information below.

A reception will follow the concert.

$100 Gold ticket: Join us for a pre-concert wine tasting at 4:15 pm presented by Black Ankle Winery with a special performance of the scholarship winner and a brief appearance by Janice Chandler-Eteme, concert, and post concert reception. (FMV $32)
$50 Silver ticket: This includes the concert and a post-concert reception (FMV $22)

Tickets are available here through UMBC’s alumni portal here, and sales will close at midnight on September 22. (Some tickets might still be available after September 22 through the music office or at the door. Please contact the Music Office after September 22 at 410-455-2942.)  All tickets purchased after September 17 will be held at will call for pick up the day of the event.

Funds raised will be administered by the UMBC Foundation for the benefit of UMBC Music. Proceeds from the event will benefit the David W. Smith Scholarship for Vocal Arts. Your contribution above the Fair Market Value (FMV) may be tax deductible.

Congratulations to Dr. Lisa Cella and Willie Santiago on their performances at the convention!     

There are currently seven jazz groups at UMBC: the Jazz Ensemble, four small groups, and the Jazz Guitar Ensemble. The audition is the same for all groups. Non-traditional instruments are welcome.

Congratulations to Mischa Salkind-Pearl on the CD feature and review!