Clazzical Jazz Concert July 22, 2018

Clazzical Jazz performed at St. Mary's Hall at St. Mary's College of MD on Sunday at 3 PM as an extra concert for the River Concert Series. The group jazzes up classical pieces into a more modern style. Don Stapleson shared that he had been texting or e-mailing with such famous composers as Ravel and Chopin to discuss their performance. What fun. Some of the pieces played included "I’m Always Chasing Rainbows" by Harry Carroll and Joseph McCarthy and "Reverie" by Claude Debussy. Clazzical Jazz also invited Dr. Mark Runkles and Robert Hayes to perform. Runkles was invited onto the stage after his cell phone went off in the middle of the performance and he was "forced" to play the oboe, rather badly at first.

Here are a few fun photos.

Don Stapleson, flutist

 Robert Hayes, pianist

 Pete Fields, guitarist

  Dr. Mark Runkles, oboist

 Fred Lieder, cellist

 Another joke.

River Concert Series with Ballet Caliente July 20, 2018

The weather was perfect on Friday night, July 20th for Dancing Under the Stars.  The performance featured a small ensemble from the Chesapeake Orchestra (led by Jeffrey Silberschlag), and the young dancers from Ballet Caliente lead by artistic director, Sheryl-Marie Dunaway.  The performance was held at 7 PM at the Townhouse Green at St. Mary's College of Maryland.  The dancers were graceful and lovely, followed by some orchestral selections.  It was such a nice evening that the crowd stayed for quite a while following the concert.

 Before the concert began, we attended an Arts Alliance party, a volunteer group which helps support the River Concert Series and many other cultural and art activities. 

Young Arts Alliance volunteers

Representatives from other concert sponsors with Jeffrey Silberschlag and Deborah Greitzer

Gail Harmon, Board of Trustees, St. Mary's College of Maryland performed introductions

 Ballet Caliente Dancers

 Sheryl-Marie Dunaway, Ballet Caliente

 Robert Hayes, pianist

 Chesapeake Orchestra ensemble

 Sunset from the back of the crowd

 Zachary Silberschlag, trumpeter

 Bryan Bourne, Trombonist and Orchestra Personnel Manager

 Tuba player

Bows

Coming Soon, Photos from the Clazzical Jazz concert on Sunday July 22nd.

River Concert Series Cancellation July 21st but...

The River Concert by the Chesapeake Orchestra, the Southern Maryland Community Gospel Choir, and Natii Wright was cancelled for today, July 21st due to rain. So sorry for the performers and the audience.

Southern Maryland Gospel Choir 2017

Natii Wright 2015

Soloists 2017

Don't forget you can still attend Sunday's Clazzical Jazz concert at 3 PM in St. Mary's Hall at the St. Mary's College of MD, led by Don Stapleson. They are excellent.

Help support the Chesapeake Orchestra (Much of the profits go to the orchestra). Buy a River Concert Series 2018 Poster. Photographed and designed by Joanna and Jim Macaulay.  

https://tinyurl.com/RCSPoster

River Concert Series July 13, 2019 Summer Magic

The River Concert was held on July 13th in fair weather on the townhouse green of St. Mary's College of Maryland at 7 pm.  It was a wonderful concert with some additional music by Felix Mendelssohn instead of Frederick Chopin.  Brian Ganz, a wonderful pianist and artist in residence at St. Mary's College of MD wasn't able to attend at the last moment, but Jeffrey Silberschlag shared a live phone call with Brian Ganz on stage, much to the amusement of the audience and Chesapeake Orchestra.  Ganz had planned to play Chopin's music.

Here are some nice moments from the concert.

 Jeffrey Silberschlag talking to Brian Ganz

  José Cueto, violin soloist

 Arts Alliance tent

                         Sunset

      Nydia Noriega, soprano soloist

      Strings

Conducting

New Official River Concert Series 2018 Poster

As a big fan of the River Concert Series and the official photographer for the last five years, Calm Reflections Photography and the Chesapeake Orchestra are pleased to offer a 2018 River Concert Poster for the 20^th Anniversary Season.  It is very similar to this year’s program cover using my “Old Boat” photo with an antique trumpet and baton belonging to Maestro Jeffrey Silberschlag.  Much of the proceeds will benefit the Chesapeake Orchestra.

The photo was taken at Wherritt’s Pond on a glorious calm autumn day at the St. Mary’s College of Maryland campus in 2010.  While the boat is no longer there, it has always made me think of St. Mary’s County and the rich history of boating and watermen.

The River Concert Series 2018 Poster is available online here  (https://tinyurl.com/RCSPoster)

Please tell your friends, especially if they are fans of the Chesapeake Orchestra or music lovers and please share.