Classical Music

Sunday, Oct. 9 Picnic The North Laurel Civic Association holds its first "Picnic with a Difference" at 12:30 p.m. at High Ridge Park, 10100 Superior Ave. Event includes food, games, music, dancing and a raffle. Free; donations will be accepted. Information: 240-786-5747 or 301-369-0556. Monday, Oct. 10 Passport services The Passport Acceptance Facility at the Howard County Library's East Columbia branch, 6600 Cradlerock Way, offers passport applications and photos from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays.

Roselyn Elizabeth Hammond, a retired Morgan State University biology professor who often entertained at the piano, died of cancer Sept. 3 at Gilchrist Hospice Care. The Ashburton resident was 72. Born Roselyn Elizabeth Brown in Grambling, La., she was the daughter of Bienville Parish educators. Known as Rose, she excelled in science. She earned a biology degree at Grambling College and won a scholarship to Ohio State University, where she earned a master's degree in science education.

When he was in his early teens, Andrew Grams saw the sci-fi hit "Jurassic Park. " The visual side of the movie wasn't the only thing that left an impression. "The trumpet theme from the score stuck in my head for the entire summer," said Grams, the Maryland-born conductor who, now in his early 30s, will lead the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra this week in music from that film and others scored by John Williams. "Hearing the music today takes me back," he said, "and I hope it will do that for other people, help them remember who they were when they first saw the movie and heard the music.

Johnny Mathis, he of the vocal velvet and distinctive purr, sounds today almost uncannily close to the way he did when he first stirred up the music world in the mid 1950s. The singer has new album out this month, adding to his remarkable 130-plus discography with a laid-back, lushly sung collection of country classics, "Let It Be Me — Mathis in Nashville. " This week, he marks his 75th birthday with a concert in Baltimore. Before heading on the road, he called from his California home for an interview: Question: "County music" and "Johnny Mathis" are not often uttered in the same sentence.

A hotshot quintet called Classical Jam — Jennifer Choi, violin; Cyrus Beroukhim, viola; Wendy Law, cello; Marco Granados, flute; Justin Hines, percussion — was formed recently "to reach out to diverse audiences" and promote classical music "to people who feel that they cannot relate to it, or for one reason or another, are not exposed to it." One way Classical Jam fulfills that mission is through collaborative projects and the creation of new music. The ensemble is heading to Maryland for a residency next week at the Music Center at Strathmore in North Bethesda and a side trip to Baltimore that promises interesting sounds for veteran and novice classical music listeners alike.

W hen it opened in the spring of 2006, the Performing Arts Theater in the University of Baltimore's Student Center boasted an attractive, intimate ambience and good acoustics - not to mention a new, nine-foot Steinway piano chosen for the room, by no less than eminent pianist Yefim Bronfman. Different classical music enterprises have come and gone in that 200-seat space, including a chamber series featuring Baltimore Symphony Orchestra players and a piano recital series. Nothing has taken hold.

The Chang-Cole Duo and Con Brio Trio perform from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday in the ballroom of Historic Oakland Manor, 5430 Vantage Point Road. Admission is free; however, a donation is suggested. Program includes selections from Bach, Vivaldi and Joplin, as well as holiday music. For more information, call 410-730-4744.