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

River Concert Series Summer Finale July 25, 2025

The concert  on Friday night at 7 pm called "Rhapsodies with Blues" featured George Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue" and Maurice Ravel's "Piano Concerto in G" among others by the Chesapeake Orchestra.  It was a warm night at St. Mary's College of Maryland on the green, but there was still quite a large crowd looking forward to hearing Thomas Pandolfi playing the popular pieces on piano with much skill and finesse.  I didn't even melt, and we actually had a brief unexpected rain shower, because I left my umbrella at home.  

Mr. Pandolfi has played at the college a few times in the past and one of my photos of him with Jeffrey Silberschlag is currently on display at the Lexington Park Library (and will probably be moved to the Leonardtown Library August 1 to August 4th).  It is also featured in the concert program on page 17 and won a few small awards.  My friend, Robert Hayes also played the piano for several pieces, with Jeffrey Silberschlag (music director), also accompanied by a drummer and bass player.

Jeffrey Silberschlag and Thomas Pandolfi

Ray Wernecke, SMCM Board of Trustees

Thomas Pandolfi, pianist

Jeffrey Silberschlag, music director

Robert Hayes, pianist

The Finale

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