MAKING MUSIC, BUILDING COMMUNITY TOGETHER
MAKING MUSIC, BUILDING COMMUNITY TOGETHER
By Nick Barczak
In the early morning hours of September 8, 2022, members of Stevenson University’ s Marching Band gathered in Baltimore’ s War Memorial Plaza. Excitement buzzed in the air as they prepared to perform in the opening scenes of Lady in the Lake, a miniseries then in production for Apple TV +. Adapted from the novel by Laura Lippman, the show follows a journalist uncovering two unsolved murders in 1960s Baltimore.“ The production company put out the call for a marching band,” said Mark Lortz, Stevenson’ s Director of Music.“ Due to their filming schedule, we had to move fast to ensure our students could participate— but it was an opportunity we couldn’ t pass up. The students got a behind-the-scenes look at professional production, met the cast and crew, and impressed even the director with their performance.”
When the series premiered in summer 2024, it marked the highest-profile performance in the band’ s history.
Though far removed from their usual stage at Mustang Stadium, the event reflected how far the Marching Band— and Stevenson’ s entire music program— had come. It also underscored a deeper truth: music is not just an activity at Stevenson— it’ s part of the campus culture. As Stevenson looks toward the future, that culture is about to find a new home. Rising on North Campus, the 38,000-squarefoot Sandra and Malcolm Berman Family Performing Arts Center will become a dynamic hub for the arts. Slated to open in
16 | VENTURES / FALL 2025