River Concert for July 3rd, 2026

Unfortunately, the River Concert was cancelled at St Mary's College of Maryland for July 3rd because of the potential heat wave.  You are welcome to spread the word.  Quite a few of us are disappointed not to see Thomas Pandolfi playing "Rhapsody in Blue" and Ballet Caliente along with the Chesapeake Orchestra.

The Chesapeake Orchestra always has to deal with weather issues, so the concerts are always subject to change.  Besides the rare heat issues, I have also taken a few favorite photos of rainy day experiences at the River Concerts.  The audience seems to tolerate the experience and be patient.  I figure, I can't jinx the concert with rainy day photos this week!  During one concert, I actually enjoyed the rain experience, because I got stuck under the porch of an apartment  on the Townhouse Green and just had to enjoy talking to the musicians that were stuck there too!  We could commiserate together.

Cole Mallard enjoying his rain break.

I found this one somewhat amusing.  These two vendors at the concert stood under their tent to avoid the rain, but it went right through the tent, so they pulled out an umbrella too and gave me a big smile.   You can see how heavy the rain was coming down.

I grabbed a quick photo of this smiling couple staying dry under their umbrella in 2010 during a rain break, not realizing that they would later become my friends in swing dance classes.

Jose Cueto was helping to remove some chairs when a concert was rained out in 2017.  It came out a little dark, so it really created an emotional moment, even if it possibly wasn't true.  

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 "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