March 3, 2021

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CAMP SPRINGS, MD – Approaching it’s celebratory 50th Anniversary Season, the Davies Concert Series Board today announced that Dr. Natalie Groom will lead the Series into the future, drawing on a shared commitment to classical music and a vision for new and diverse audiences.

 

Dr. Groom commented, “It's a unique moment to pause and honor the legacy of the series and how it's served our community so deeply. At the same time, we can look ahead and compose a renovated musical blueprint for programming that will increase access to the arts and represent our community through diverse programming. I'm excited to lead us into the anniversary year and navigate the evolving hybrid music scene to keep everyone safe and artistically fulfilled through the 2021-2022 season.”

 

The Davies Concert Series has performed in the intimate, acoustically superb sanctuary of the Davies Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Camp Springs, MD, for 49 years. Committed to bringing world class musicians to a community setting, the Series has had a profound impact on the arts in Prince George’s County. Under the leadership of outgoing Music Director Osman Kivrak, the Series developed a reputation for eclectic programming that features leading musicians from the Washington area and beyond. Included in each event are informal conversations with the artists and a festive reception to follow.

 

Longtime Board Member Hiram Larew commented, “As the Davies Concert Series peers into the future, we see all kinds of exciting possibilities.  The Board looks forward to working with Dr. Groom – to offer music lovers near and far an array of won’t-want-to-miss concerts.”

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Dr. Natalie Groom comes to the Davies Concert Series with a commitment to building multicultural and multigenerational audiences through outreach and programming. In response to the challenges of COVID-19, she brought an innovative approach to her work as manager at Arts Laureate, where she helmed recording projects with LA Opera, the President’s Own Marine Band, and LA Master Chorale. As Artist-in-Residence at Collington Retirement Community, she responded to the pandemic with a virtual concert series that brought essential programming to isolated seniors.

 

In 2018, Dr. Groom joined soprano Jennifer Piazza-Pick to found Whistling Hens, a chamber music ensemble that performs and commissions music by women composers. A renowned clarinetist, Dr. Groom was a featured soloist with the White Mountain Symphony Orchestra and has performed at The Kennedy Center, New World Center, The Anthem, Phillips Collection, and Goethe-Institut. She appeared with the Berlin Philharmonic Wind Quintet and collaborated with Yo-Yo Ma, Esperanza Spalding, the National Symphony, and the Baltimore Symphony Youth Ensemble. She served as clarinetist and composer for Classically Dope, a Wammie nominated hip-hop/rap and classical music collaboration with D.C. rapper Konshens the MC. Dr. Groom earned her D.M.A. at the University of Maryland, M.B.A. and M.M. at the University of Arizona, and B.M. at Kent State University.

 

Davies Concert Series, a tax-exempt 501(c) (3) charitable trust, is committed to presenting classical music concerts, offering educational opportunities for young audiences and performers, and providing a venue for new American music. The Series is supported in part by grants from the Prince George’s Arts and Humanities Council (PGAHC) and the Cynipid Fund.