A Jazzy Finale Ended the River Concert 2013 Series on July 26th

For once we had beautiful temperate weather for the last big River Concert of the summer last Friday night at St. Mary's College of MD. The concert featured a young talented singer from Charles County, Sara Gray, and the Chesapeake Orchestra Big Band.
I was quite busy, wandering around trying to view the concert from new angles, in search of unique images. I try to avoid taking similar shots so there would be quite a few different photos to share. Here are a few photos to entice you to view my full review on the BayNet.
http://www.thebaynet.com/news/index.cfm/fa/viewstory/story_ID/33073

I liked the red light from the sunset on this one.

Sara Gray singing and Don Stapleson, saxophonist, having fun

Romantic Night Out at the Woodlawn Farm on July 20th

We went to Woodlawn Farm last Saturday July 20th to see the talented pianist, Brian Ganz representing the Chesapeake Orchestra.  He is so incredibly talented that he performed for about two hours with no sheet music. 

We expected rain and got a tiny bit, just enough to make a beautiful double rainbow over the Trinity Manor house.  Maggie O'Brien, owner and former St. Mary's College President, told us that Point Lookout got the storm that narrowly missed us. 

Between the lovely light on the water, the rainbow, the sunset and the beautiful sound of the keyboard by the slight glow from the house windows, it was a romantic sight.  The crickets and cool breeze assisted as well.

The piano was almost wedged between 2 pillars and the original front door of the house.  The workers who squeezed it into place deserve a lot of praise. 

If you would like to read my Bay Net review of the concert with a few dozen photos click here

Here are a few photos to entice you to visit...

Baroque River Concert July 19th

We photographed the Baroque Themed River Concert on  July 19th at St. Mary's College of Maryland on a hot steamy evening. The concert featured talented musicians from the Chesapeake Orchestra and some of our favorite music.  I particularly like George Frideric Handel's "Royal Fireworks Music" and "Water Music".  I learned to love "Water Music" while watching the Water parade at Disney World many years ago. 

We also enjoy watching José Cueto, concert master since we have had a few nice conversations with him over the years.

I suppose the musicians get a little used to the heat.  It is even hotter under the band shell.  Jeffrey Silberschlag actually wore his tux after intermission.  He is a very dedicated man.

To see my photos and review, visit the Bay Net at https://www.thebaynet.com/news/index.cfm/fa/viewstory/story_ID/32985

Here are a few of the photos to entice you...

Jeffrey Silbershlag and José Cueto practicing

 I could just barely see this musician and was challenged to see if I could get him in focus behind the cellist's arm.  I thought it would make a unique photo, even though it was very busy.

 Zach and Jeffrey Silberschlag, Carlton Rowe

 

Fatma Daglar on oboe

Everybody was Singing at the River Concert last Friday Night

We attended the River Concert on Friday July 12th, guest conducted by my friend and former choir director, Larry Vote.  The evening at St. Mary's College of Maryland featured the music of Aaron Copeland, one of my favorite orchestral composers.

The RCS choir was huge, filling the whole back of the stage.  I wanted to be sure to get some pictures of them since they are hard to see behind the Chesapeake Orchestra.

I especially enjoyed "I Got Me a Cat" with humorous words and silly animal sounds (sung by Bob McDonald) and "Ching a Ring Cha".   To read more about the concert and see a couple dozen photos, see my Bay Net story at http://www.thebaynet.com/news/index.cfm/fa/viewstory/story_ID/32900

Here's a few photos to whet your appetite.

 Bob McDonald

 

 The RCS Choir

 

 The Chesapeake Orchestra

 

STEM Science vendor making science fun

Waterside at Woodlawn July 6th

Read my latest Bay Net story on the lovely concert at Woodlawn Farm in Ridge held at 7 P. M. on July 6th.  The concert featured a brass quintet from the Chesapeake Orchestra, with Slack wine provided by Maggie O'Brien and her husband Jim along with food for purchase by St. Inigoes Store.

The next Waterside at Woodlawn will be performed by Brian Ganz on July 20th at 7 P. M., an exceptionally talented pianist.  He plays with such enthusiasm and energy.  I can't wait!

Star Spangled Night at the River Concerts!

We spent an enjoyable evening at the River Concert at St. Mary's College of Maryland on Friday, July 5th listening to patriot favorites and songs of the sea and sailors.  We had NO rain.  Jeffrey Silberschlag, the music director remarked that, "Last week we played "La Mer (The Sea)" and we were almost washed away".  Actually, I'm not sure if the Chesapeake Orchestra actually played "La Mer", but it was a funny comment anyway.

Volunteering for theBaynet.com and the Chesapeake Orchestra means I take lots of pictures and try to get a sampling of everything going on during the concert and at the location.  This includes the vendors, the orchestra members, the special performers. the weather and the crowd.  Of course, for this concert there were also FIREWORKS!  The only photos I didn't get a chance to take were of people dressed up for the fourth of July.  I just didn't see anyone in red, white, and blue.  I did notice that some people even brought a table to eat upon and others brought a small tent.  (I haven't figured out why they needed the tent though.)  I got some lovely pictures of the very photogenic and talented soprano soloist, Ms. Jennifer Page.  She posed very nicely for me while waiting to go on stage.

I just love all that patriotic music!  Who can resist Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture, even if he wasn't an American.  And John Phillip Sousa's "Stars and Stripes".   

I'll give you a few photos here, but please click on the BayNet.com for my full set of photos and a review of the concert.

Don't miss next Friday, July 12th at 7 P. M. for Everybody's Singing.  The concert will be conducted by Larry Vote, my former choir master and friend.  Much of the music will be Aaron Copland.

 

The Chesapeake Orchestra

 
 

 

Jennifer Page, soprano

 

Peter, That Wolf & Other Wild Things River Concert June 28, 2013

It's official!  Jim and I are THE volunteer photographers for the Chesapeake Orchestra and the River Concert series.  We've been taking photos of the River Concerts for so many years.  It was time to put our photos to good use!

Last Friday's concert featured Prokofiev's Peter and the Wolf and the talented young dancers of the local Ballet Caliente, directed and read by owner Sheryl-Marie Dunaway.  The children and young adults were excellent! 

I photographed the rehearsal as well, since the threat of thunderstorms and even large hail existed. Fortunately, the hail didn't materialize.  The stage had to be wiped down using towels and a broom.  There were even two very quick rainbows.  Concerts with rainstorms are interesting because I tend to meet new people when you share rain shelters.  This time I met some orchestra members and the young adults under a tent for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Education.

Here's a few of my favorite photos, but you can see lots more of my favorites pictures at the Baynet.com  http://www.thebaynet.com/news/index.cfm/fa/viewstory/story_ID/32748

Some musicians from the Chesapeake Orchestra

Peter. herself

The poor duck was just eaten, hence the feathers were flying!

 

The next concert takes place on Friday, July 5th, 7 P. M. on the green at St. Mary's College of Maryland.  The concert features Soprano Jennifer Page, lots of patriotic music by Sousa, Tchaikovsky, John Williams, Richard Rodgers, etc. and FIREWORKS!