St. Mary’s College of Maryland and the Chesapeake Orchestra are pleased to present the 15th Annual River Concert Series. The Series, under the musical direction of Professor Jeffrey Silberschlag, will continue this summer each Friday from June 21 through July 26, 2013, starting at 7 p.m.
The College and the Orchestra recently formalized a memorandum of understanding (MOU) designed to ensure the permanence of the event through the establishment of a partnership. St. Mary’s College provides the resources for the venue, staging, sound, lighting, logistics, and security, while the Chesapeake Orchestra funds expenses associated with the performances, including the musical talent from the region and around the world. The MOU follows the recommendations of a 17-member River Concert Series Task Force, which was comprised of local community members as well as representatives from each organization.
“The Chesapeake Orchestra is planning another great season, our 15th! The music programs will include Bizet’s ‘Carmen,’ Tchaikovsky’s ‘Romeo and Juliet,’ a Vienna night, complete with waltzes, and a musical tribute to the sea,” said Bonnie Green, president of the Chesapeake Orchestra’s Board of Directors.
“The River Concert Series is a wonderful enrichment program for the St. Mary’s County community, and a valuable educational opportunity for our students,” said President Joseph Urgo. “It is a privilege to invite our friends and neighbors from all over the region to enjoy our campus, and to hear fine music by the Chesapeake Orchestra.”
The Concert Series will return to a 7 p.m. start time, per the Task Force recommendation. Also, the reorganization ensures that all funds that the Orchestra raises through concert and series sponsors, program advertisers, and generous donations provide patrons with the quality music that has been enjoyed for more than a decade on the campus green. The College’s Arts Alliance will continue to collect bucket donations to offset the College operations expenses.