The College of Southern Maryland continues the 2013-14 Ward Virts Concert series with clarinetist Laura Armstrong at 3 p.m., March 9 in the Multipurpose Room, Building B at the Prince Frederick Campus, 115 J. W. Williams Road, Prince Frederick.
Armstrong, a clarinetist and saxophonist residing in Baltimore, received her Master of Music degree from Duquesne University and her Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Clarinet Performance from the University of Maryland. She is a faculty member at Frederick Community College and Shippensburg University, where she teaches clarinet and saxophone. She will be accompanied on piano by John Wickelgren, faculty member of Frederick Community College and Mount St. Marys University, for her Ward Virts performance.
Armstrong has been honored for her skill with invitations to perform as a soloist at the International Clarinet Associations ClarinetFest held in Lincoln, Neb., as well as with the Duquesne University Contemporary Ensemble in a performance of John Adamss Gnarly Buttons for Clarinet and Chamber Ensemble. In addition, she is a founding member of the Fortunata Trio and is a frequent collaborator with the TEMPO Contemporary Ensemble.
In addition to her solo work, Armstrong has performed with such orchestras as the Honolulu Symphony, Ash Lawn Opera Festival, Capital City Symphony and Library of Congress Chorale Orchestra.
“Laura is one of several recent Ward Virts performing artists with local college connections. She brings not only her performing talents to CSM, but also the perspective of a college music educator from a sister community college and a baccalaureate institution with a strong music program,” said CSM Professor and Coordinator of Music Dr. Stephen Johnson. Because of her strong background in chamber and contemporary music, this performance will be especially interesting to CSMs students in attendance as well as clarinet fans throughout the Southern Maryland community.
The Ward Virts Concert series is sponsored by Dr. and Mrs. Henry Virts, Edward and Patricia Mehosky and CSM. The centerpiece of the concert series is a world-class Boesendorfer Grand Piano which was donated to CSM by the Ward Virts Piano Project for the enjoyment of the Southern Maryland community.
The remaining schedule for the Ward Virts series is Bernard Vallandingham (violin), April 6 and Michael K. Santana (baritone), May 4. Admission is free and seating is open but limited. Doors open at 2:30 p.m. For information, contact 443-550-6011, rfleming@csmd.edu or http://www.csmd.edu/Arts/WardVirts/. For more information about Armstrong, visit www.lauraarmstrong.net.
Calendar
CSM Ward Virts Concert Series: Laura Armstrong, Clarinet. 3 p.m., March 9, College of Southern Maryland, Building B, Multipurpose Room, 115 J.W. Williams Road, Prince Frederick. Armstrong is an active recitalist, a founding member of the Fortunata Trio and a frequent collaborator with the TEMPO Contemporary Ensemble. She has performed with the Honolulu Symphony, Ash Lawn Opera Festival, Capital City Symphony and Library of Congress Chorale Orchestra. The Ward Virts Concert Series is presented by Dr. and Mrs. Henry Virts, Edward and Patricia Mehosky and CSM. Doors open at 2:30 p.m. Limited seating. Free. 443-550-6011, rfleming@csmd.edu or www.csmd.edu/Arts.