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.

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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

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Baltimore Symphony Orchestra

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Marin Alsop

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PHOTO GALLERY
Famous faces in classical music

BALTIMORE AREA RESOURCES
• Marin Alsop's official site
• An die Musik
• Bach Concert Series
• Baltimore Chamber Orchestra
• Baltimore Choral Arts Society
• Baltimore Classical Guitar Society
• Baltimore Concert Opera
• Baltimore Opera Co. Inc.
• Baltimore Opera Theatre
• Baltimore Symphony Orchestra
• Chesapeake Chamber Opera
• Community Concerts at Second/Chamber Music by Candlelight
• Concert Artists of Baltimore
• Greater Baltimore Youth Orchestra
• Handel Choir of Baltimore
• Lyric Opera House
• Maryland State Boychoir
• Mobtown Modern
• Music in the Great Hall
• Opera Vivente
• Peabody Institute
• Pro Musica Rara
• Soulful Symphony
• Shriver Hall Concert Series
• Towson University Center for the Arts
• UMBC Arts Calendar
• University of Baltimore Student Center Performing Arts Theater

WASHINGTON AREA RESOURCES
• Clarice Smith Center
• Kennedy Center
• Music Center at Strathmore
• National Philharmonic
• National Symphony Orchestra
• Washington National Opera
• Washington Performing Arts Society

ANNAPOLIS AREA RESOURCES
• Annapolis Chorale
• Annapolis Opera
• Annapolis Symphony Orchestra

MARYLAND RESOURCES
• Maryland Symphony Orchestra

CLASSICAL RESOURCES
• Arts Journal
• Musical America
• New Music Box

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