Music Program

In one of those rare moments when audiences get the opportunity to experience the blended talents of two accomplished artists, actress Claire Bloom and flutist Eugenia Zukerman will perform a program of poetry and music for the seventh annual Columbia Festival of the Arts."

NEW YORK -- Carnegie Hall put out the purple Monday night to welcome the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra for the opening of Spring For Music, a week-long festival showcasing American orchestras playing adventurous programs. Ravens-colored cloths adorned the seat backs of the musicians' chairs and the conductor's podium; more cloths were handed out to audience members to wave on cue in a salute to Baltimore. That cue came before the music started when an announcer from local radio station  WQXR interviewed the BSO's high-profile booster, Gov. Martin O'Malley, onstage.

Instead of picket signs, they cradled violins. Instead of chanting, they played "Song of the Wind." Dressed in ties and patent leather shoes, 15 children sat in the rotunda of City Hall yesterday - as officials and businessfolk bustled about - and staged a gentle protest, showing off their talents on behalf of the Baltimore Talent Education Center, an after-school music training program that serves 180 children from 30 schools across the city. "The BTEC is closing because we're running out of money," said 6-year-old Lamont Dozier III, a first-grader at Federal Hill Preparatory School.

Charles C. Freitag, the longtime director of the music program at Calvert Hall College High School where he was also a founder of its marching, concert and dance bands, died Monday of heart failure at Stella Maris Hospice. The Mays Chapel resident was 92. "Charlie was responsible for building the music program to an outstanding level during his time. He expanded the musical options and started the yearly spring concerts," said Calvert Hall Principal Louis E. Heidrick, who was a friend of Mr. Freitag's for more than 40 years.

Howard Community College wants to see more student instrumentalists leaving their individual practice rooms and making music together this fall. The school is working to start trumpet, percussion, guitar and jazz ensembles, among others, using instrumentalists from the college's music program and its community music center, which opened last year. "We are expanding our entire program," said Deborah Kent, HCC's director of music. "We are starting to formulate a program that is a little more inclusive than traditional college-level music instruction."

Principal Carol Mohsberg knew Patapsco Middle School's music program needed help the first time she walked into the school orchestra's practice space. "At that time, the orchestra teacher was practicing in a storage room off of the cafeteria." Mohsberg recalled. It was so small that as she stepped inside a musician accidentally poked the new principal with her bow as she drew it across her cello. Since that incident four years ago, Mohsberg has worked to upgrade Patapsco's music programs by implementing schedules that aid music instruction and by pushing to expand music facilities with the school's new adddition and renovation.

Charles C. Freitag, the longtime director of the music program at Calvert Hall College High School where he was also a founder of its marching, concert and dance bands, died Monday of heart failure at Stella Maris Hospice. The Mays Chapel resident was 92. "Charlie was responsible for building the music program to an outstanding level during his time. He expanded the musical options and started the yearly spring concerts," said Calvert Hall Principal Louis E. Heidrick, who was a friend of Mr. Freitag's for more than 40 years.

Peter Marvit, a 51-year-old scientist who sang with the Baltimore Choral Arts Society and sought to widen music education opportunities for city students, died at Johns Hopkins Hospital after he was shot near his Northeast Baltimore home last Monday night. He had been returning home from a choral rehearsal. "If there was anyone who really had a great love of the city, he was it," said Susie Brandt, his companion, who also said he had diverse interests. "He never wanted to be boring.

St. James group to celebrate Epiphany season with party The new Seniors Group of St. James Parish in Lothian will celebrate the Epiphany season with a party at noon Monday in the parish hall. The group was formed to provide fellowship, entertainment and information for those 55 and older. The Episcopal church and hall are at Routes 2 and 258. Information or reservations: 410-867-2838. St. Martin's church to hold music program Jan. 21 "Winter Reflections," a music program featuring flutist Carolyn Sonnet, pianist Cynthia Slate and guitarist Linda Stein-Patterson, will be presented at 3 p.m. Jan. 21 at St. Martin's Evangelical Lutheran Church, 1120 Spa Road, Annapolis.

The sad irony is that the No Child Left Behind Act is intended to better prepare our children for the real world, yet it's leaving music behind despite its proven benefits."

Holiday concert The Alleluias, an interdenominational Christian choral group, presents the Christmas cantata "Agnus Dei," featuring the music of Michael Smith , at 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 9, at the Conference and Retreat Center of Bon Secours, 1525 Marriottsville Road in Marriottsville. The event is free, but a love offering will be taken. Information: 443-812-1037. 'Holiday Hop' The Kangaroo Kids Precision Jump Rope Team hosts this annual event Sunday, Dec. 9, at the Gary J. Arthur Community Center in Glenwood.

Brian Drake, an instrumental music teacher and band director at Westminster High School, has been selected as the inaugural recipient of the Carroll County Music Educator Award, sponsored by the Music Advocates of Carroll County. The award was scheduled to be presented during the Westminster High School Marching Band Show on Saturday, Oct. 13. Drake has been an instrumental music director at Westminster High School for more than 10 years. During this tenure, the school has been recognized for exceptional ensembles, both outside on the marching field and inside on the concert stage.

There's a new face at Arnolia United Methodist Church - but a familiar face to the area. Keith Derrickson recently became the church's director of music, and brought with him years of experience and creativity. A Baltimore County Public Schools music teacher from 1978 until 2008 - at Overlea, Hereford and Parkville high schools, as well as Pleasant Plains Elementary - he most recently served as an interim professor at Towson University teaching music education classes and serving as a student intern supervisor.

Peter Marvit, a 51-year-old scientist who sang with the Baltimore Choral Arts Society and sought to widen music education opportunities for city students, died at Johns Hopkins Hospital after he was shot near his Northeast Baltimore home last Monday night. He had been returning home from a choral rehearsal. "If there was anyone who really had a great love of the city, he was it," said Susie Brandt, his companion, who also said he had diverse interests. "He never wanted to be boring.

Taymeko Matthews' eyes lit up when she saw the collection of music instruments on the Georgetown East Elementary School stage. Someone placed a violin in the fourth-grader's hands, and it was as if holiday season had descended earlier than usual. "It was like a brand-new toy that I really wanted," said Taymeko, a member of the Georgetown East band and orchestra, which on Wednesday received a surprise donation of 32 instruments, cases and accessories — valued at more than $25,000 — from the area's new local branch of the financial services firm Fidelity Investments.

Marriotts Ridge High School senior Zoe Hamberger gathers with friends in her basement every Tuesday night for what she says is the highlight of her week: watching "Glee," the music-comedy- drama television series featuring a teen show choir similar to the school programs that Hamberger performs in. "They pick a wide variety of music and show how fun music can be," said Hamberger, who, along with her classmates in Howard County, is wowed by its...

As a public school student in Oklahoma City, Chris Merritt fell serendipitously into an outstanding music program. Among his gifted instructors, Merritt, a world-acclaimed tenor who lives in Pikesville, will never forget a high-school teacher named Al Ossenkopp, known to all as "Ozzie."Ozzie "took me to the point of no return," Merritt says. When he graduated, a singing career was a given.At Pikesville High School, where his two children attend school, Merritt says, he has seen history repeat itself in the form of someone known to all as "Doc."

Proud as a parent, Jill Warzer beamed from the front row yesterday as a band of Baltimore students performed in the first concert many had played in, thanks in large part to a donation of instruments. The fact that the schools have toned down their music curriculum faded into the background as the 65 pupils played selections from Beethoven's "Ode to Joy" and "When the Saints Go Marching In" before about 75 pupils and parents in the auditorium of the Dr. Roland Patterson Academy in North Baltimore.

Judging by Pascal Center for Performing Arts' increasing audience, the secret must be out about Anne Arundel Community College's many entertainment bargains. A range of professional-caliber entertainment was presented at bargain prices in recent weeks. 'Total Recall' On Dec. 4 and 5, the AACC Dance Company offered "Total Recall," which showcased the choreography of company members and director Lynda Fitzgerald - who established the company 20 years ago and serves as its coordinator and director.