Gilbert Run Park in Charles County, MD

Gilbert Run Park is a pretty little park near Charlotte Hall, MD with a fair amount of amenities like a snack bar, a lake, fishing, boat rentals in the season, picnic tables, recreation for kids, birds, and trails.  I like the bridge connecting the boats to a picnic area.  There are sometimes birds nearby.  On this particular day, I saw a family of little ducks swimming closely together for safety, followed by the unusual black duck (muscovy?) and a young boy slowly following these ducks and geese in the lake.  

Such cute little ducklings, possibly mallards

The follower

I think this is a black muscovy, but I'm not entirely sure.  It was unusual.  I think they sometimes have a white patch of feathers, but I didn't see that.  The red warts on the face are more extensive on males, so this is probably male.

River Concert Series July 21, 2023

The River Concert Series on the green at St. Mary's College of Maryland is over for the summer, but the last concert was great fun for fans of George Gershwin and Leonard Bernstein music.   I am pleased to share some highlights of the concert for your enjoyment.  The evening was blessed with warm sunshine, after 4 concerts with threatening rain.  Jeffrey Silberschlag, music director of the Chesapeake Orchestra conducted some wonderful popular pieces, such as "Rhapsody in Blue", "An American in Paris" and Bernstein works from "On the Town" and "West Side Story".

Jeffrey Silberschlag, music director

Melanie Ashkar, mezzo-soprano

Steffan Sccaggari, solo pianist

Jeffrey Silberschlag received a 25 year award from the St. Mary's Arts Council 

Horns

Chesapeake Orchestra

River Concert Series July 14, 2023

Called "From Paris to Buenos Aires and Back", the concert featured musical works by Piazolla, Milhaud, and Poulenc.  "An American in Paris" might be played next week, since a nasty thunderstorm ended the concert early.  José Cueto, Concertmaster for the Chesapeake Orchestra, played some amazing violin solos during the concert for the enjoyment of the audience.  The concerts are held on the green at St. Mary's College of Maryland on Friday nights at 7 pm.  There is only one concert left, with some blockbuster works by Bernstein and Gershwin and several soloists.  Come out to enjoy it.

Jeffrey Silberschlag, Music Director

Jeffrey and Susan Dyer, Board of Trustees

Stormy weather

José Cueto, concertmaster and First violinist

Bow, Chesapeake Orchestra

River Concert Series July 7, 2023

Friday’s River Concert July 7th, on the green at St. Mary’s College of Maryland featured the Chesapeake Orchestra and pianist Thomas Pandolfi.  Mr. Pandolfi was a suggested permformer by Brian Ganz, our local talented pianist and resident artist from the College.  Musical works included my favorite romantic work, Sergei Rachmaninov’s “Rhapsody on a Theme by Paganini” and also Bach’s “Pastorale Symphony”, among others.  Delightful.  What talent and beautiful music!

Right before the concert, there was a rain shower and the resulting rainbow gave the Orchestra the encouragement to continue before the large crowd arrived.

                                                Thomas Pandolfi

            Bonnie Green, Board of Trustees, St Mary’s College of Maryland

                 Thomas Pandolfi and Jeffrey Silberschlag, music director 

STEM games

                                Rainbow before the crowd arrived

River Concert Series Royal Treatment June 30, 2023

Friday’s River Concert on June 30th featured an eclectic combination of music by Copland, Duke Ellington, Prince, Queen, Elvis (the King), Michael Jackson and more.  Superman was the Fireworks musical work of the evening.  The concert began at 7 pm on the green at St. Mary’s College of Maryland with a few sprinkles here and there.  The crowd was huge, with the chance to see fireworks and the vendors filled the road nearby.

Chesapeake Orchestra

Rick Humpries Solo on Sax

Jeffrey Silberschlag, Music Director