Opportunities for being a part of the music and theater scene are one of the great joys of senior living in Columbia, Maryland, and Howard County.  If you play an instrument or sing, there’s a place for you.  If you just like to watch and listen, you have a choice of venues to visit.

Although Baltimore and Washington, D.C., are close by and offer a wonderful array of arts opportunities, Columbia and the surrounding area are rich in cultural attractions.  There are venues for the visual and performing arts with programs to satisfy any taste.  For theater and music lovers, the possibilities include:

World-class concerts brought to Howard County in Maryland’s premier performing arts series by the Candlelight Concert Society, Inc.  The society also organizes education programs.  Visit candlelightconcerts.org for more information.

Columbia Festival of the Arts, a 16-day summer event that showcases regional, national and international visual arts as well as music and performance.  For details, visit columbiafestival.com.

Chesapeake Shakespeare Company, Maryland’s premier professional classic theater company.  The company presents Shakespeare and other classic plays and has been noted for its exciting and energetic presentations.  Contact chesapeakeshakespeare.com for information.

A volunteer community music group, the Columbia Orchestra, dedicated to fostering a lifelong appreciation of, as well as participation in, music.  For more information, visit columbiaorchestra.org.

The Columbia Pro Cantare, accepting auditioned volunteers into its 130-singer chorus.  The group gives five concerts a year featuring professional soloists and musicians.  Visit procantare.org for more information.

Columbia’s environmentally friendly outdoor concert venue, the Merriweather Post Pavilion.  This venue offers some of the area’s best contemporary entertainment.  For a schedule of events, go to merriweathermusic.com.

Rep Stage, the professional theater in residence at Howard Community College.  For a schedule of performances, visit repstage.org.

Chamber music at Christ Episcopal Church in Columbia when Sundays at Three presents professional musicians from the Baltimore-Washington area.  Refreshments and conversation with the artists are special features after the performance.

Howard County’s all-professional chamber group, The Orchestra of St. John’s.  The orchestra performs at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Ellicott City.  The orchestra plays classical music from the Baroque era to the 21st century.

Toby’s Dinner Theatre in Columbia.  This theater has the distinction of being the location of Academy Award-nominee Edward Norton’s acting debut.  He was eight years old at the time.  Today, the theater features Broadway and original musicals and an excellent buffet.