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Theatre Arts students in performance of Hair, the Musical.

Arts and Culture

McDaniel is home to the WMC Alumni Hall theatre and Esther Prangley Rice Gallery, which host dozens of productions and exhibitions each year, right on campus. Plus, a vibrant arts scene in local Westminster means activities are always happening year-round with live theatre, musical performances, festivals, and art shows. 

Music Concerts and Theatre in Westminster, Maryland

The arts are an integral part of campus life at McDaniel, celebrated across campus as an opportunity to connect with one another, express creativity, and explore new perspectives. With a full calendar of public events, plus partnerships with the Westminster community, there's always something worth attending.

Students are also regularly inspired to venture across disciplines, creating a unique culture at McDaniel. It's common to meet Computer Science majors who spend time learning theatre lighting; watch Sociology majors perform in musicals; or hear about Chemistry majors interning in art restoration.

McLive - What's happening at McDaniel College

Find out what's happening at McDaniel College in McLive, the annual public events calendar.

Annual Campus Events

  • Theatre Productions
  • Spring Cinema Showcase
  • Musical Performances
  • Rice Gallery Exhibitions
  • Visiting Artist and Writer Lectures
  • Academic Symposium

By The Numbers

50+

arts events per semester

15+

Student-run clubs and organizations dedicated to a creative pursuit

Asset 12
100+

Classes each semester in the arts

Music and Art

McDaniel's College Band performing.

Upcoming Concerts Information: 410-857-2552

Concerts are free unless otherwise indicated with *

Chamber Music on the Hill* | September 22 at 3 p.m.

Scott Center, Carroll Community College, 1601 Washington Rd., Westminster | Ticket information: 443-974-6374 or facebook.com/CMOTH

Monday Night Music | October 7 at 7 p.m. | Coley Rice Lounge, McDaniel Hall

Music presented by McDaniel Music Department. Encore Winds Trio (Robert Sirois, Bassoon; Mindy Niles, Oboe and David Duree, Clarinet).  Rachel Andrews is performing on piano. 

Monday Night Music | November 4 at 7 p.m. | Coley Rice Lounge, McDaniel Hall

Music presented by McDaniel Music Department.  Director of the McDaniel College Gospel Choir and Senior Adjunct, Shelley Ensor, performs folk, blues, jazz, gospel, rock, and R&B selections.

Student Solo Recital | November 8 at 7 p.m. | Coley Rice Lounge, McDaniel Hall

Vocal and instrumental soloists perform a variety of music.

McDaniel for the Holidays | November 10 at 7 p.m. | Baker Memorial Chapel

Special seasonal concert featuring Music faculty members and McDaniel students along with community guests. 

Chamber Music on the Hill* | November 17 at 3 p.m. | Naganna Forum, ROJ Student Center

Student African Drum Ensembles | November 21 at 7 p.m. | Naganna Forum, ROJ Student Center

Performance by McDaniel’s Student African Drum Ensembles under the direction of Senior Adjunct Lecturer Pape Demba “Paco” Samb.

College Choir Concert | November 24 at 7 p.m. | Baker Memorial Chapel

Fall concert featuring music from diverse locales and historical eras, directed by Senior Lecturer Kyle Engler with accompanist Peggy Brengle.

Jazz Night | December 5 at 7 p.m. | WMC Alumni Hall Mainstage

Classic big band swing, bebop, Latin, funk, jazz-rock, and classic blues. Directed by Senior Adjunct Lecturer Tim Jenkins.

College Band Concert | December 6 at 7 p.m. | WMC Alumni Hall Mainstage

Musical selections by contemporary composers, including several holiday selections, directed by Senior Lecturer Linda Kirkpatrick.

Westminster Symphony Orchestra Concert | December 7 at 3 p.m. | WMC Alumni Hall Mainstage

Senior Lecturer Linda Kirkpatrick directs the orchestra, composed of McDaniel and Carroll Community College students, as well as Music faculty and community musicians. Selections include Beethoven's Symphony No. 3 "Eroica" and the premiere of cellist Collin David's "Hours:24."

Gospel Choir Concert | December 8 at 3 p.m. | Mainstage Theatre, WMC Alumni Hall

Traditional and contemporary gospel music with surprise selections, directed by Senior Adjunct Lecturer Shelley Ensor.

Image of artwork in Rice Gallery beneath a stained glass skylight.

Upcoming Art Exhibitions Rice Gallery Hours: 410-857-2595

"Questioning the Photograph: Works by Sarah Hood Salomon" Exhibition | August 29 - October 11 | Rice Gallery, Peterson Hall

Solo exhibition of sculptural photography by award-winning photographer Sarah Hood Salomon.

August 29 Opening Reception from 7 - 8:30 p.m.

Art Talk: Matt Klos | September 12 at 7 p.m. | Peterson Hall, Room 104

Guest artist lecture by painter Matt Klos, professor of visual arts at Anne Arundel Community College and co-director of Exeter Gallery in Baltimore 

"in the time of not yet" Exhibition | October 17 - December 13 | Rice Gallery, Peterson Hall

Chris Mona: Solo Projects and Collaborations with Helen Frederick, featuring works by Anne Arundel Community College professor Chris Mona, including printmaking projects done in collaboration with Helen Frederick, founder of Pyramid Atlantic Art Center.

October 17 Opening Reception from 7 - 8:30 p.m.

See a Show

The WMC Alumni Hall theatre and Esther Prangley Rice Gallery offer a variety of shows and exhibitions every year.

 

The full cast of Heathers The Musical. They are in vivid colored clothing with sad expressions.

Spring 2023 production of “Heathers The Musical."

Spoken word poet Adan Bean speaks on a stage.

Spoken word poet Adán Bean performed on campus before the inauguration of President Julia Jasken, hosted by the Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Committee of the McDaniel College Alumni Council.

Three women singing in the McDaniel College Gospel Choir.

McDaniel Gospel Choir.

Students holding sheet music sing outdoors.

McDaniel College Choir and the Green TerrorTones perform at the college's annual winter event Out of Darkness: A Celebration of Light.

students perform in The Importance of Being Earnest

Fall 2021 production of “The Importance of Being Earnest.”

Students look at art exhibits

Esther Prangley Rice Gallery hosted student exhibitions during the Second Annual Academic Symposium. 

Get Involved!

A male and female student work at a table with a block of clay on it.

Student Organizations

From Clay Club to Contrast Literary Magazine, there's a student-based organization at McDaniel that will spark your interest. 

Students stand in a circle with their arms raised. The room has a panel of stained glass windows behind them.

Diverse Courses

McDaniel is a liberal arts college, which means most students explore the arts even when it's not related to their major. Explore courses in Theatre, Literature, Studio Art, Cinema, Writing, Music, and more.

An audience sits in front of President Jasken at a podium.

Attend Campus Lectures

Annual lecture series at McDaniel include the Ira G. Zepp Memorial Lecture, Bothe Poetry Reading, Wenner-Wingate Memorial Lecture, and Rembert Lecture in Enterprise Economics. Visiting speakers are also hosted by departments each semester.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Explore cultural and spiritual events and programs through the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. 

  • ODEI Cultural Speaker Series
  • Green Table Talk
  • ODEI Book club
  • Workshops and Trainings

Learn more about ODEI events.

Rev. Nontombi Naomi Tutu speaking at a podium at McDaniel's Black History Month Convocation.

Rev. Nontombi Naomi Tutu at the 2022 Black History Month Convocation.

Art in Action

The sky is the limit for McDaniel Green Terrors, who discover their callings in the classroom, during internships and clubs, at conferences, and anywhere else they want to go. Innovation and exploration are all part of the McDaniel Commitment, leading to unique student experiences — which you can read more about below.

Students work on fitting the inserts and filling in the gaps with canvas fluff to even out the surface before relining.

Hands-On History

Student Kim Parson climbing a ladder with a stage light.

Spotlight on Lighting Design

Sarah Mendez at an easel wearing an apron. Behind her is a market stand with flowers.

120 Minutes of Plein-Air Painting

Drum instructor Paco Samb using a djembe while a student plays the dundun.

Drumming to the Beat

Common Ground on the Hill

Traditions Week at Common Ground

McDaniel College student Amanda Halcott portrayed Caroline in “The Grass is Greenest at the Houston Astrodome,” directed by McDaniel College student Patsy Zetkulic. Halcott is with Marshall, played by McDaniel student Corey Van Huff.

National Recognition

Local Arts Scene

Common Ground on the Hill

Common Ground on the Hill

The regional folklife center of the Maryland State Arts Council's Maryland Traditions program. ‍Located on McDaniel's campus, the center hosts a variety of concerts, festivals, and workshops year-round.

Carroll Arts Center

Located within walking distance of campus, the Carroll Arts Center provides exhibitions, classes, film screenings, and more. For 2023-24, McDaniel faculty, staff, and students receive $5 tickets for Carroll Arts Center Events, plus free popcorn.

Plus more to do in Westminster, Maryland!

Common Ground Deer Creek Fiddlers

Common Ground on the Hill receives Maryland State Arts Council award

Common Ground on the Hill, in residence at McDaniel College, received the Maryland State Arts Council's Heritage Award in the Tradition category for the Deer Creek Fiddlers' Convention. Common Ground on the Hill was founded in 1994 by Walt Michael '68 who assumed directorship of the Deer Creek Fiddlers' Convention in 2011.

Read "Common Ground on the Hill receives Maryland State Arts Council award"

Recent Arts & Culture News

All News

Annual Campus Events

  • Theatre Productions
  • Spring Cinema Showcase
  • Musical Performances
  • Rice Gallery Exhibitions
  • Visiting Artist and Writer Lectures
  • Academic Symposium
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Westminster, MD, 21157
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