University of Maryland School of Music

05/22/2026

Bon voyage to these clarinet terps as they embark on a tour of the UK with the Maryland Clarinet Society! Follow along in our stories for the next week as they explore London, Sheffield and more and perform with the Maryland Clarinet Society Clarinet Choir!

05/20/2026

Between University of Maryland College of Arts and Humanities' commencements and our first graduation celebration concert, we've had so much fun celebrating the achievements of our graduating students this week! Here are some of our favorite moments from yesterday's Music Celebrates: 2026 Graduates. We're looking forward to all the amazing things that these music Terps will accomplish! 🎶🐢

05/19/2026

Music Celebrates: 2026 Graduates is just about to begin! If you're not joining us in person, be sure to help us honor our graduates by tuning into the livestream ⬇️

Mark your calendars—the School of Music will be hosting its first graduate celebration concert in honor of our 2026 graduates! This special event features performances from members of this year’s graduating class, awards and accolades as well as student speakers, showcasing a variety of programs...

05/18/2026

Rounding out our music Terp features is Cassidy Eyres, who is finishing up her Bachelor of Arts degrees in English and vocal performance! 🎓 Cassidy was an active member in our voice and choral department, with some of her favorite memories being the choirs’ performances with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, especially “Carmina Burana”, and the ACDA conference with Chamber Singers. She is excited to begin a Master of Music degree at Shenandoah Conservatory this fall!

“What I love most about the SOM is how such a large school can still feel so close-knit, with meaningful connections between students and faculty across all programs. One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is to put yourself out there. It’s easy to feel like you don’t belong, but so many opportunities begin when you allow yourself to take up space. You’ll often find people welcoming you!”

Be sure to tune in for commencement, and join us at 4 p.m. in Dekelboum TOMORROW as we celebrate all of our grads during Music Celebrates: 2026 Graduates! Can’t make it in person? No problem! This celebration will be livestreamed → https://music.umd.edu/calendar

05/17/2026

Our next School of Music grad is Anna Weiksner, who is finishing up her Bachelor of Arts in violin performance AND her Bachelor of Science in computer science. 🎓 Some of her favorite moments at UMD include post-UMSO rehearsal dinners with her fellow string undergrads, and dressing up as her professors for Halloween. Anna is looking forward to tackling her career as a software engineer and participating in community music ensembles.

“My favorite part about the UMD experience has been getting to fully participate in enriching music experiences while also being able to take computer science classes. One of the coolest things about this school is how many music students are double majors. The community is very unique and special and you never know who you’re going to connect with! I have learned so much from many of my peers and had so much fun.”

Be sure to tune in for commencement, and join us on May 19th at 4 p.m. in Dekelboum for a concert celebrating our 2026 Grads. To learn more → https://music.umd.edu/calendar

05/16/2026

Our next music Terp grad feature is Bailey Bower! 🎓 Bailey will be graduating with a Master of Music in opera performance. As a graduating member of the Maryland Opera Studio, one of her favorite memories was performing the titular role in their New Work Reading, “The Fishwife”. Bailey will continue to perform in the DMV area as an outreach artist with Maryland Opera and as a teaching artist with Encore Stage & Studio!

“The faculty’s mentorship has helped me grow into a more confident artist, which has taught me that I am a more resilient and capable artist and person than I ever dreamed I could be. Because of their support and the training I received here, I feel ready to take that leap of faith into the ‘real world’!”

Be sure to tune in for commencement, and join us on May 19th at 4 p.m. in Dekelboum for a concert celebrating our 2026 Grads. To learn more → https://music.umd.edu/calendar

05/15/2026

Our next music Terp grad feature is Lauren Nelson! 🎓Lauren will be graduating with a Master of Music in oboe performance. As a member of our Fellowship Woodwind Quintet, her favorite musical memory from UMD was the children’s concert they staged with costumes and puppetry. Lauren was recently selected for a Fulbright English teaching assistantship, and is looking forward to living in Spain and getting to know her host community.

“Your time as a student is an opportunity to build a strong foundation for how you will handle adult life. If you can do that, you will be well equipped for whatever comes next.”

Congratulations, Lauren 🥳Celebrate all of our grads with us next Tuesday, April 19th, at 4 p.m. at our Music Celebrates: 2026 Graduates performance! For more information → https://music.umd.edu/calendar

05/14/2026

Our next School of Music grad is Nicholas Mathew, who is finishing up his Bachelor of Music degree in vocal performance! 🎓 He looks forward to taking everything he learned at UMD into his next steps as a fitness trainer.

“UMD has taught me that music requires intention, discipline, and the ability to balance many things at once. My biggest advice to students is to fully embrace the UMD experience and give it your all—when you do, you truly see the results.”

Be sure to tune in for commencement, and join us on May 19th at 4 p.m. in Dekelboum for a concert celebrating our 2026 Grads. To learn more → https://music.umd.edu/calendar

05/13/2026

We’re a week away from the undergraduate University of Maryland College of Arts and Humanities commencement and our Music Celebrates: 2026 Graduates, and we’re celebrating by featuring some of our amazing grads 🎓 Kicking things off is Abijah Zimmerman, who is graduating with a Master of Music in violin performance. While she prepares to take professional auditions, she will continue freelancing in the DMV area, teaching privately and playing with local regional orchestras, as well as the True North Symphony Orchestra.

“My favorite part of my UMD experience has been all the opportunities we’ve had to learn from some incredible musicians like Harumi Rhodes and Holly Jenkins. I loved playing in the BSO side-by-side in fall 2024, the opera in Spring 2025 under Maestro Neely, and the Rite of Spring in Fall 2025. My time here has really taught me to take all the opportunities that come my way so I can grow and be pushed out of my comfort zone.”

Be sure to tune in for commencement, and join us on May 19th at 4 p.m. in Dekelboum for a concert celebrating our 2026 Grads. To learn more → https://music.umd.edu/calendar

05/12/2026

We’re excited to announce our new Assistant Director of Bands, Kevin Niese! As part of this appointment, Niese will serve as the director of the University Band and the Maryland Pep Band, assist with the performance and operations of the Mighty Sound of Maryland and teach the marching band methods course.

Niese recently completed his doctoral work at the University of Iowa, where he actively mentored student teachers, taught coursework in instrumental conducting and assisted with the University of Iowa Bands. His research primarily focuses on disability studies in music education, adjudication practices in secondary music and experiences within marching band culture.

Niese brings with him a wealth of experience leading ensembles at the collegiate and 6–12 levels. He previously served as a graduate assistant conductor for the university bands at Ohio University, and held director positions at public schools throughout Ohio, where his ensembles consistently received exceptional marks in both state and national competitions.

Please join us in welcoming Dr. Niese to the University!