Going Baroque River Concert on July 10th, 2026

 The River Concert on July 10th was wonderful, starring the Chesapeake Orchestra with Music Director and trumpeter, Jeffrey Silberschlag, Jose Cueto on violin, Zachary Silberschlag on trumpet and Kathryn Farenish on piccolo. Jeffrey and Zachary played a lively piece, Vivaldi's "Trumpet Concerto for Two Trumpets". The baroque concert featured traditional classical music by Vivaldi, Handel and Bach. The concert ended with "Jazz Pizzicato" (a fairly recognizable piece with lots of plucked strings), by Leroy Anderson. Anderson was also composer of "Sleigh Ride", (often shared with the Chesapeake Orchestra in the past).

There was a strong rain storm between 5 and 6 pm between the sound check and the concert. Most of the musicians were off stage at the time and it cooled off the heat a little. I was glad we had some rain covers! Fortunately, much of the large crowd arrived after the rain and enjoyed the more pleasant temperature.

The concert on July 17th includes Debora Watts, a Brazilian singer/songwriter and her husband John Watts, pianist. (subject to change). The free River Concert is held on the Townhouse Green at St. Mary's College of Maryland at 7 pm.

Enjoy my photos and please share with your music loving friends.

Jose Cueto on violin

Zachary Silberschlag on trumpet

Zachary and Jeffrey Silberschlag on trumpet

Kathryn Farenish on piccolo

What a smile!

A few photos of the June 26th River Concert with Melissa Errico and Randy Waldman

Melissa Errico was a lively and talented Broadway singer, who had performed at the River Concert Series in the past.  This time she also brought along Randy Waldman, as guest pianist (who worked with Barbara Streisand, Frank Sinatra, Michael Jackson and Beyonce) and an active military man, Kevin Paul, (bugle player) involved with the Doughboy Foundation.  She wore 4 different amazing dresses during the performance.  

Melissa Errico with Kevin Paul

Bill Hones, double bass player from the Chesapeake Orchestra with Melissa Errico and Randy Waldman

Going Baroque tonight at the River Concert Series July 10, 2026

Performing tonight at the River Concert Series on the Townhouse Green of St. Mary's College of Maryland are Jose Cueto, 1st violin and concertmaster, Zachary Silberschlag, trumpeter and Kathryn Farenish, flutist, in "Going Baroque: Bach, Handel and Vivaldi". The concert starts at 7 pm. It should be a pleasant evening. (subject to change)

Zachary Silbershlag conducting while Jeffrey Silberschlag performs on trumpet

Zachary Silbersclag on trumpet

Kathryn Farenish on flute

Jose Cueto on violin

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River Concert for July 3rd, 2026

Unfortunately, the River Concert was cancelled at St Mary's College of Maryland for July 3rd because of the potential heat wave.  You are welcome to spread the word.  Quite a few of us are disappointed not to see Thomas Pandolfi playing "Rhapsody in Blue" and Ballet Caliente along with the Chesapeake Orchestra.

The Chesapeake Orchestra always has to deal with weather issues, so the concerts are always subject to change.  Besides the rare heat issues, I have also taken a few favorite photos of rainy day experiences at the River Concerts.  The audience seems to tolerate the experience and be patient.  I figure, I can't jinx the concert with rainy day photos this week!  During one concert, I actually enjoyed the rain experience, because I got stuck under the porch of an apartment  on the Townhouse Green and just had to enjoy talking to the musicians that were stuck there too!  We could commiserate together.

Cole Mallard enjoying his rain break.

I found this one somewhat amusing.  These two vendors at the concert stood under their tent to avoid the rain, but it went right through the tent, so they pulled out an umbrella too and gave me a big smile.   You can see how heavy the rain was coming down.

I grabbed a quick photo of this smiling couple staying dry under their umbrella in 2010 during a rain break, not realizing that they would later become my friends in swing dance classes.

Jose Cueto was helping to remove some chairs when a concert was rained out in 2017.  It came out a little dark, so it really created an emotional moment, even if it possibly wasn't true.  

Photography Exhibit at Garvey Senior Center Jul-Aug

If you are over 50 and enjoy looking at photos, please stop by to see my new exhibit in Leonardtown, MD at the Garvey Senior Center.  It has photos of birds, blossoms and beaches (and a few other B's you can guess).  It is in the back hallway and will be there until the end of August 2026.  I included the 2018 River Concert poster, that is still obtainable online, featuring Jeffrey Silberschlag's trumpet or coronet and baton.  It was the cover of the program that year.  I also have 4 photos on display at Annmarie Garden in Solomons throughout the summer.  Link to Garvey information

The Garvey exhibits were set up with the center throughout the next few years by club member Beth Fabey, including shows by any interested members of St. Mary's County Camera Club/Southern Maryland Special Interest Group.  

Sorry for the odd curve of the photo.  It is in a narrow hallway, making it difficult to create panoramas.  This photo was created using a tripod and sidestepping and combining 10 photos.  It worked a little better than a cell phone pano, which created odd edges on the frames, but it was less straight.  There is also a pretty window in front of the exhibit with glass etched birds which creates some reflections in the artwork.

River Concert Series Continues with the Chesapeake Orchestra on June 26th

 The Chesapeake Orchestra at the River Concert Series starts Friday June 26, 2026.  The concerts run Friday nights 7-9 pm through July 24th at St. Mary's College of Maryland on the Townhouse green.  Parking and the concerts are free and donations for the concerts are encouraged.  There are always plenty of food vendors available for your enjoyment, although you may also bring your own, (just not your pet).  Do bring a chair or blanket.  

The venue is divided into three sections, serious listening at the front for quiet watchers, casual listening in the middle and serious socializing at the back for family and friends with community gatherings or active families.  The music ranges from serious classical, to light classics and jazz, and some patriotic favorites near Independence Day on July 3rd.

Be sure to pick up a program with lots of information and even some photographs by Calm Reflections Photography.  They are usually available at the Arts Alliance tent if you can't find one.  I have been the official photographer since 2013.  
The planned performance schedule is below with details in the link. (subject to change)

https://inside.smcm.edu/events/river-concert-series-2026

Please join me in supporting the River Concert Series.  You won't regret it.  You are welcome to check out my favorite photos, posted for the last several weeks under Calm Reflections Photography Facebook to get you in the mood.  Please share with your friends.

Melissa Errico on June 26th

Thomas Pandolfi on July 3rd along with 

Ballet Caliente also on July 3rd

Sheryl-Marie Dunaway of Ballet Caliente

Jose Cueto on July 10th also

Zachary Silberschlag on July 10th

(Deborah Watts, Brazilin Singer and John Watts, Pianist, not pictured) on July 17th

https://www.deborawatts.com

Jeffrey Silbserschlag on July 24th

Blue Angels in the Sky at the NAS Patuxent River Air Show 2026

I didn't have time to watch the Air Show this weekend, so I watched the rehearsal of the Blue Angels from Lexington Park and brought a picnic lunch and a very long lens, about 840 mm equivalent on a tripod.  It was fun to get a few shots of the stars of the show.  I have seen quite a few air shows, so I didn't feel too bad about missing the static displays and such.  Since my foot injury, standing for long periods gets quite painful, so it seemed like a good compromise.

Four for the Show.  I liked the cloud diagonal

I liked the smoke

Loopy

Twisty