The future of the arts rests in the hands of the next generation of artists. The University of Maryland is home to many of those innovative students, and The Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center showcases much of their talent. In May, the space is packed with performances from individual students and groups.

 

Check out one, two, or more of these powerful student performances:

 

  • Catch the a Capella performances of Voix de Chanson and FreundeMusik for an array of familiar tunes and compelling new arrangements. The show on May 1 highlights the UMD choral activities of these two student-led groups.

 

  • Bring a picnic and a blanket to this lawn show put on by the UMD School of Music’s jazz ensembles. The concert on May 3, which serves as the school’s end-of-year finale, will showcase family-friendly music in The Clarice Courtyard.

 

  • RUBBERBAND, a one-of-a-kind dance troupe from Canada, will perform on May 4 as part of The Clarice’s Visiting Artist Series. Victor Quijada’s Ever So Slightly brings 10 dancers to the stage to explore the behavioral mechanisms and reflexes we develop against our daily irritants.

 

  • Watch first-year Maryland Opera Studio students highlight their talents on May 5 through a wide operatic repertory. The beautiful, pure sounds of this performance will be accompanied only by piano and minimal props.

 

  • As part of The Clarice’s Visiting Artist Series, the Tesla Quartet will perform a show on May 7 focused on the waters of the Chesapeake Bay and the impacts of climate change. These commissioned works can be experienced by audiences both live and in augmented reality.

 

  • The UMD Balinese Gamelan Saraswati Ensemble will present an evening of traditional Balinese music on May 8. The gong kebyar percussive instruments used in the group were built by I Wayan Beratha, a leading instrument maker, composer, and performer in Bali.

 

  • The University of Maryland Orchestra takes the stage on May 9 for its last performance of the school year, showcasing songs from orchestral masterpieces, operas, and movie scores. Check out the music from La bohéme and My Neighborhood Totoro.

 

  • On May 12, the Terrapin Brass will perform its final collegiate recital at The Clarice, ending its two-year fellowship with the School of Music. Listen for original brass compositions and exciting transcriptions.

 

Find more events in the arts and culture space in Prince George’s.