Born and raised in Washington, D.C., I couldn't help but develop a keen interest in politics, but music, theater and visual art also proved great attractions. Music became my main focus after high school. I thought about being a cocktail pianist, but I hated taking requests, so I studied music history instead, earning a B.A. in that field from Eisenhower College (Seneca Falls, N.Y.) and an M.A. from Occidental College (Los Angeles). I then landed in journalism. After freelancing for the Washington Post and others, I was classical music critic for the Sun-Sentinel in South Florida, where I also contributed to NPR. I've written for the New York Times, BBC Music Magazine and other publications, and I'm a longtime contributor to Opera News. My book, The NPR Curious Listener's Guide to Classical Music (Perigee, 2002), can be found on the most discerning remainder racks.
I joined the Baltimore Sun as classical music critic in 2000 and, in 2009, also became theater critic, giving me the opportunity to annoy a whole new audience. In 2010, my original Clef Notes blog expanded to encompass a theatrical component -- how could I resist calling it Drama Queens? I hope you'll find both sides of this blog coin worth exploring and reacting to; your own comments are always welcome and valued (well, most of them, at least).
Think of this as your open-all-hours, cyber green room, where there's always a performer or performance to discuss, some news to digest, or maybe just a little good gossip to share.
Note: Tim Smith now writes about the fine arts at
baltimoresun.com/artsmash. This blog will be kept in place as an archive for an indefinite period. Please visit the new location to get the latest Mid-Atlantic arts coverage.
View the Artsmash blog
Comments
Thanks for this. Made my day!
Mine, too. Glad you liked it. TIM
Posted by: Rachel C | May 12, 2010 10:25 AM
TOO FUNNY!!!!
Posted by: RayRay | May 12, 2010 10:46 AM
TOO FUNNY!!!!
Posted by: RayRay | May 12, 2010 10:47 AM
Telephone? Bad Romance? Bassoons? Awesome!
Thanks for sharing!
Happy to be of service. TIM
Posted by: m4rk | May 12, 2010 10:56 AM
Thanks...Stuff like this just breaks my inner music Geek!!
LOVE IT!
Makes me wonder about bassoonists everywhere. TIM
Posted by: Jim G | May 12, 2010 4:24 PM
Hmmm, great sounding clef notes. They must have been lip syncing: all that giggling around and no foul notes. Fun holistic stuff.
Posted by: John Morris | May 12, 2010 7:11 PM
Love it!! Can't wait to share it with my Hubby who is a Lady Gaga fan.
More seriously, I never heard a bassoon quartet before and I must say I really enjoyed the sound!
Thanks
My pleasure. TIM
Posted by: Adell | May 20, 2010 4:10 PM