River Concert Series Fireworks July 4th, 2025

 The fireworks at the River Concert Series were further across the creek than usual this year.  Unless you were on a boat or on the edge of the water, there were quite a few wires in the photos.  I used AI in some of the photos to remove the wires here, but I thought I would post both, so you can see the difference.  Using photojournalism, I try to show the real event, microphones and all, only using cropping, dust removal, brightening and color correction so you see what actually happened. 

No Wires using AI

Originals with wires

River Concert Series Starts up Their Season 2025

The concert series opener was called "A Moment for our Thoughts".  Here's a few of my favorite photos from Friday night, June 27th.  

The next concert features jazz vocalist and alum from St. Mary's College of Maryland, Sara Jones in "A Swingin' Singin' 4th with Sara Jones".  Fireworks are planned at the end, weather permitting.  The free concert starts at 7 pm on the green at St. Mary's College of Maryland on the next 4 Friday nights.  Everyone is invited and there are food vendors available.

Be sure to check out the 2025 program if you want to see some of my photos from previous years.  My favorites of Jeffrey Silberschlag are on pages 16-17. 

Chesapeake Orchestra

Tuajuanda Jordan, retiring President of St. Mary's College of Maryland

Jeffrey Silberschlag, music director

Violinists

Robert Hayes on electric piano

Horns

Flutist

Woodwinds

Sound guy with a surprising flourish from my camera

First violin for the evening

French horns

Vendors

Freeze Dried Candy lady

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 June 28, 2024 Duke Ellington

We enjoyed listening to Duke Ellington Jazz on Friday night at St. Mary's College of Maryland on the Townhouse Green, 7 PM.  There was a fun preconcert by some of the talented musical students from SMCM.  It was two jazz groups for the (free) price of one!  Jeffrey Silberschlag, music director was sharing his usual humor with the crowd, although I think he reserves some for the musicians.  We heard some well known toe tapping pieces like "Take the "A" Train", "Prelude to a Kiss" and "It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing)".

Next Friday, July 5th, 7 pm should be wonderful with John Williams music, "1812 Overture" and fireworks if the weather and such permit it.  (Always subject to change)  Check for any updates at the SMCM.edu website.  You might want to be there early, since it is usually a crowd pleaser.  Free concert, donations accepted.

Student Jazz Ensemble

Gail Harmon, SMCM Board of Trustees, introduced Jeffrey Silberschlag

Saxs

Trumpets

Jazz behind the tent

Sax Soloists