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 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

River Concert 4: Sultry Summer Night Jazz Tango and More, July 16, 2021

 The last 2021 summer concert at St. Mary's College of Maryland featured Sara Jones, jazz vocalist, José Cueto, violinist and Bryan Bourne, trombone player with the Chesapeake Orchestra.  It was indeed a sultry and very hot summer night!  These are rehearsal photos.  I really enjoyed hearing "Sway" and "One Note Samba".  At the moment, all of the 4 concerts are available to watch at https://www.smcm.edu/river-concert/

José Cueto

Bryan Bourne

Kevin, Sara's husband

Sara Jones

Jeffrey Silberschlag, Flugelhorn

River Concert Series Buenos Aires On the St Mary's River July 19, 2019

The last River Concert of the season featured Pedro Giraudo, 2018 Latin Grammy Award Winner and his musicians from New York City, Rodolfo Zanetti on bandoneón and Ahmed Alom on electric piano.  They played quite a few Argentinian and Tango pieces with Chesapeake Orchestra's talented violinist, Jose Cuéto.  They were a very talented group, playing along with our favorite Chesapeake Orchestra.    

 Arts Alliance 

 Paul Pusecker III, College CFO along with Jeffrey Silberschlag, music director

 Pedro Giraudo, Bass Player

 Jose Cuéto, 1st violin

 Rodolfo Zanetti, bandoneón

Ahmed Alom, electric piano

 Strings

(L to R), Ahmed Alom, Pedro Giraudo, Rodolfo Zanetti, Jeffrey Silberschlag