River Concert Series July 19, 2024

The last River Concert of the summer was presented at the usual venue, on the townhouse green at St. Mary's College of Maryland at 7 pm.  The previous concert for July 12th was cancelled due to rain and is hopefully planned for Nov 8th indoors, but the weather was fairly good for this one.  The Chesapeake Orchestra was in good form, and I particularly liked "The Firebird Suite", by Igor Stravinsky.

Chesapeake Orchestra

Susan Paul, St. Mary's College of Maryland Foundation Introduced the concert

Bryan Bourne on trombone

Kathryn Farenish, flutist

cellist

Chesapeake Orchestra at sunset

The harpist's hands

Jeffrey Silberschlag, Music Director, conducting

Backstage

French horn players

José Cueto, concertmaster and 1st violinist

River Concert Series John Williams and Fireworks July 5, 2024

One of the largest crowds I've seen at the concerts graced the lawns of the Townhouse Green at St. Mary's College of Maryland to hear the Chesapeake Orchestra play popular strains of many musical works composed by John Williams.  We heard The Throne Room from Star Wars, The Patriot, The Theme from ET, Superman, Raiders of the Lost Ark and of course, a few patriotic works like Stars and Stripes and The 1812 Overture.  The concert began at 7 pm and while very hot, there were no longer storms in the weather forecast.  In fact, Maestro Jeffrey Silberschlag thanked the Executive Director of the St. Mary's College of Maryland Foundation, Inc. for the improved weather.  He explained that "There was a human sacrifice that took place.  I think we can all agree it was worth it and in time the families will get over it."  We always enjoy his sense of humor!

Please appreciate a few photos from the blockbuster River Concert performance on July 5th, complete with Independence Day Fireworks behind the band shell.  

Chesapeake Orchestra

I love bubbles!

Introduction by Bonnie Green (greeting Jeffrey Silberschlag)

Jeffrey Silberschlag, Music Director

José Cueto Concertmaster

Patriotic Fireworks

River Concert Series 2024

The first concert of five was on June 21st at the Townhouse Green at St. Mary's College of Maryland at 7 pm.  Many people came out to brave the predicted heat and the icecream line at Salted Scoop (and probably Kona Ice) was quite long during the intermission.  The temperatures weren't too bad after dark, so I was glad the concert wasn't on Saturday or Sunday this hot weekend.  The theme was music by Bach and Buds and conducted by Jeffrey Silberschlag.  Larry Vote, the choral director retired in the Spring, so it will be a little different this year.  This is my 11th year as the photographer for the concert series, so be sure to grab a program at the concert to see a few of my photos from previous years.

Kathryn Farenish, flutist

John Bell, Chair, SMCM Board of Trustees, introduction

Violinist and pianist

Cellists

José Cueto and Mark Christianson, violinist and oboeist

Chesapeake Orchestra

Rev. Z. Mark Smith, Bassoonist

José Cueto, 1st violinist

An SMCM Arts Alliance volunteer

Kathryn Farenish, flautist

Jeffrey Silberschlag and Kathryn Farenish