SPARK! Lounge Pre-Concert Conversation

The SPARK! Lounge Pre-Concert Conversation is a free, ticketed-free event that offers an in-depth discussion before the NOI Philharmonic’s closing performance, “Hege Conducts Shostakovich’s Tenth,” on Saturday, June 27, 2026, at 6:30 PM. The conversation takes place in the Grand Pavilion of the Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center and provides context and insight into the evening’s repertoire. This event is part of the National Orchestral Institute + Festival (NOI+F), a month-long intensive that brings together aspiring orchestral musicians from across the country for dynamic music-making and professional exploration. NOI+F’s music director, the internationally recognized conductor Marin Alsop, leads the Conducting Academy and conducts multiple concerts at The Clarice each June. The pre-concert conversation is an opportunity to engage with the music before the performance begins.

When: Saturday, June 27, 2026, at 6:30 PM.

Price: Free, no tickets required.

Venue: Grand Pavilion, The Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center, University of Maryland.

Accessibility: The Clarice is committed to accessibility; services available upon request for all events include wheelchair-accessible seating, size-inclusive seating, large print programs, assisted listening devices, adult and child-friendly sensory packs, and quiet spaces. ASL interpretation, audio description, and captioning are available for select events or by patron request at least six weeks in advance.

Note: This is a pre-concert conversation held ahead of the NOI Philharmonic’s closing performance “Hege Conducts Shostakovich’s Tenth.” The conversation is part of the National Orchestral Institute + Festival (NOI+F), which receives support from the Maryland State Arts Council, The Clark-Winchcole Foundation, and The Marinus and Minna B. Koster Foundation. View the full festival lineup on the Clarice website.