Summer Fun for Everyone
Summer is officially here! And though the 2023-24 Howard County Concert Odyssey season has concluded, that doesn’t mean your enjoyment of live music has to end for the season. The summer months bring an assortment of free concerts to our area for you and your family to enjoy as you await the beginning of the […]
A Meowsical Interlude
Have you ever seen medieval paintings of cats? Some highly entertaining examples are making the rounds on social media. As comical as they might be, they underscore a truth: for centuries, cats’ lives have been deeply interwoven with our own. And naturally, they’ve appeared in our music! In honor of the quirky holiday called National […]
All About That Jazz
It was new and different. Catchy yet soulful. A uniquely American contribution to the world of music. It was jazz. During the roaring twenties―also called the Jazz Age―American society was shifting, and the musical landscape followed right along. How much do you know about jazz? Here are a few interesting facts about this very special genre. […]
Still Famous After All These Years
Did you “beware the Ides of March” this year? Well, if you’re reading this, you certainly have better luck avoiding disaster than Julius Caesar, the Roman dictator who was stabbed to death by a group of nobles on March 7, making the date infamous. With such a dramatic end to a notable rule, it’s natural […]
A Sneak Peek at Our Next Program
Did you know that the U.S. has more than 400 youth orchestras involving more than 80,000 young musicians? Among them is the Oakland Mills High School Chamber Orchestra, which will perform for us on March 3. Directed by Sarah Castrillon, they’ll showcase their youthful talent by performing a variety of compositions representing several different styles […]
Happy Birthday, John Knowles Paine!
Who is John Knowles Paine, you ask? Only a 19th century man who has been credited as the first American to be widely recognized as a composer, as well as a major influencer of music education in the U.S. This month, let’s take a peek into the life and music of this lesser-known but talented […]
Five Great Films to Enjoy (again)
Perhaps you’ve heard about Maestro, the new movie about composer Leonard Bernstein. Given that the world of classical music is full of drama and passion, the compelling stories of composers, musicians and even instruments have naturally made it to the big screen. Here are five great classical music flicks to dust off and watch during […]
Thanks for the Music
As you’re preparing for Thanksgiving visitors and looking ahead to the December holidays, don’t forget your Turkey Day playlist! In the spirit of the holiday, we invite you to explore these works that were inspired by gratitude. Aaron Copland’s opera, The Tender Land, includes a piece called “The Promise of Living” that’s tailor-made for Thanksgiving. […]
Remembering Two Women of Note
The Atlantic Reed Consort came to Ellicott City in November 2023, and two of the works performed were written by remarkable women composers of the late 19th/early 20th century. Let’s learn more about these two trailblazers! Born in 1893, Lili Boulanger came from a very musical family. Her father and sister were also composers, her […]
U.S. Army Brass Quintet Performs for Appreciative Audience
The Howard County Concert Odyssey was delighted to host the U.S. Army Brass Quintet on Sunday, September 17, at St. John’s Episcopal Church, Ellicott City, Maryland, in a free concert. The Quintet delighted the large crowd with their wonderful performance. The U.S. Army Brass Quintet has gained a reputation as one of the most highly […]