Benny C. Morgan Concert Series Features Pianist Rie Moore March 8 at CSM’s Leonardtown Campus

The College of Southern Maryland (CSM) kicks off its 2025 Benny C. Morgan Concert Series this Saturday at 2 p.m. with a free concert by Pianist Rie Moore at its Leonardtown Campus. 

Pianist Rie Moore is on the music faculty at St. Mary’s College of Maryland, where she teaches piano and is an accompanist with the college’s chamber singers. In 2020, she received an Independent Artist Award from the Maryland State Arts Council for her program "As if Heard from Within."  Her broad collaborative experience includes Schicksalslied, op. 54 by Johannes Brahms, A Ceremony of Carols, op. 28 by Benjamin Britten, opera Amahl and Night Visitors by Gian Carlo Menotti, Messiah, HWV 56 by Handel, Carmina Burana by Carl Orff, Dichterliebe, op. 48 by Robert Schumann, and Quartet for Oboe, Violin, Cello and Piano, H. 315 by Bohuslav Martinů. 

She has pursued recordings and recitals that feature innovative themes, often including interesting juxtapositions of works. Moore also works as a collaborative accompanist with Ballet Caliente in California, Maryland. 

Benny Carroll Morgan was a beloved music educator in St. Mary's County schools for 30 years, who served as organist and choir director at several area churches. He taught at Margaret Brent High School, Chopticon High School and Esperanza Middle School, retiring in July 1986. He was for a time the organist at Christ Church Old Durham Parish in Nanjemoy. 

In January 2016, Morgan generously donated his prized Steinway grand piano to CSM's Leonardtown Campus. Sadly, Morgan, 85, of Huntersville, passed away several weeks later on Feb.16; however, with the knowledge that his generosity would add to the musical culture of CSM's students as well as the Southern Maryland community for years to come. 

The free concert will be held March 8 at 2 p.m. in Room 206, Building A, at the CSM Campus at 22950 Hollywood Road in Leonardtown, Maryland. 

CSM extends its sincere gratitude to its 2024-2025 Art Season Sponsors who include the CSM Foundation, Johnny Alvey, Susan B. Kreckman, Florence Elon and The Nancy S. McMullin Estate.