River Concert Series Timeless Inspiration July 18, 2025

We enjoyed the Timeless Inspiration concert this past week at the River Concert at St. Mary's College of Maryland on the green at 7pm featuring some of Stravinsky's "Pulcinella Suite" and Ottorino Respighi's "Ancient Airs and Dances" and more. The concert was shortened due to a threatening storm.  There is one last concert this summer by the Chesapeake Orchestra, featuring pianist Thomas Pandolfi with Rhapsody in Blue on Friday night. (weather permitting)  Hope to see you there!

Cello soloist with Jeffrey Silberschlag, music director

Introduction for Jeffrey Silberschlag and the concert

Violinist

Horns

Woodwinds

Kathryn Farenish, flutist and Mark Christianson, oboist

Chesapeake Orchestra

Viola players

Jeffrey Silberschlag, music director

Jeffrey Silberschlag and Julius Wirth, principal violist

Julius Wirth, viola soloist

Comparing the size and sound of a viola to a violin with Julius Wirth and Jose Cueto

Trombones

River Concert "A Midsummer Nights Dream" July 11, 2025

Last Friday's River Concert Series program included lots of beautiful Felix Mendelssohn pieces with the Chesapeake Orchestra's first violinist José Cueto, including "Violin Concerto in E", "Symphony no. 4 The Italian", and "A Midsummer Night's Dream Overture".  There was also a pre-program featuring intern vocalist Hailey Castanera-Bartoszek with her ukelele, accompanied by guitarist Kris Kostoff starting at 6:30 pm (before the regular event at 7 pm).  The concert took place on the green at St. Mary's College of Maryland on July 11th.  There was even a lovely orange sunset on the St. Mary's River with the view of a few yachts at a mini-Rendezvous out on the water.

Hailey Castanera-Bartoszek

Bonnie Green

Jeffrey Silberschlag and Bonnie Green

Jose Cueto, First violinist

Jose Cueto

Jeffrey Silberschlag and Jose Cueto

Woodwinds

Violist

Julies Wirth Principal Violist

Jeffrey Silberschlag, Music Director

River Concert A Swingin Singin 4th

There was quite a crowd for the River Concert Series second concert at 7pm on the green at St. Mary's College of Maryland, not surprising considering that it was performed on July 4th.  Fireworks were included at the end.  We enjoyed seeing Sara Jones again, former alumna of St. Mary's College of Maryland perform lots of great jazz favorites in a very sparkly dress (that I envied).  They played some Duke Ellington music and old favorites like "Tea for Two" and "A Time for Love".  I especially liked how she encouraged and praised her accompanists quite a bit and had nice things to say about our favorite nearby college.  I was happy to see Zachary Silberschlag back home from Israel, safe and sound, performing with his Dad, music director, Jeffrey Silberschlag on the trumpet and conducting.  

Please join me and the Chesapeake Orchestra for the next three Friday night concerts at 7pm.  Next week is "A Midsummer Night's Dream" with José Cueto on violín, weather permitting.

Jeffrey Silberschlag, Music Director of the Chesapeake Orchestra 

Rhonda Phillips, new President of St. Mary's College of Maryland 

Sara Jones, Jazz vocalist

Zachary and Jeffrey Silberschlag on trumpet

 

Representatives of St. Mary's College of Maryland 

The music shell with sun rays, very carefully photographed.

 

Who doesn't love bubbles!

Sara Jones accompanists 

Rick Humpreys, saxophone soloist 

Zachary Silberschlag conducting with a smile 

A family music moment

What a crowd!  15 photos from the stage merged into a panorama