The popular River Concert Series, which takes place each summer at St. Mary’s College of Maryland overlooking the St. Mary’s River, comes to a close on Friday and Saturday, July 21 and 22. The two-day finale features not only concerts on the main stage at 7 p.m., located on the college’s townhouse greens, but also afternoon performances at St. Mary’s Hall.
According to Music Director of the Chesapeake Orchestra and St. Mary’s College Professor of Music Jeffrey Silberschlag, “St. Mary’s College and the Chesapeake Orchestra offer these additional concerts to enrich the weekend’s offerings for local community members and music lovers, as well as for those visiting from out of town.”
River Concert Series Main Stage on Townhouse Green:
Friday, July 21, The Roaring Twenties Redux!, features celebrated pianist Jeffrey Chappell, who joins the Chesapeake Orchestra for the music of Gershwin, Cole Porter and other Jazz-age hits.
Saturday, July 22, The DNA of It! offers a mix of blues, gospel, ragtime and jazz, for the final night celebration of the River Concert Series. Performers include Irvin Peterson, Adolph Wright & Multiplicity, The James Sisters, Don Stapleson, Roy Johnson, plus Sherri Fenwick and the Southern Maryland Gospel Choir.
Tributary Recital Series at St. Mary’s Hall:
Friday, July 21, 5 p.m., The Spirit of Jazz & Democracy, a program of freestyle jazz that features a performance by Paul F. Murphy (drums) and Larry Willis (piano), with guest performances by poet Jere Carroll and Dominic Fragman on drums.
Saturday, July 22, 2 p.m., Don Stapleson & “Clazzical” present a program of crossover jazz making it accessible to music lovers of all kinds. The concert is described as a juxtaposition of jazz treatments against iconic classical melodies.
Sunday, July 23, 1:30 p.m., renowned violinist and Chesapeake Orchestra Concertmaster Jose Cueto, along with Nancy Roldan on piano, present a program of Argentine and tango music sure to entertain and energize the audience.
Photos: https://www.flickr.com/photos/st_marys_college_md/albums/72157686080478916
St. Mary’s College of Maryland is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education through 2024-2025. St. Mary’s College, designated the Maryland state honors college in 1992, is ranked one of the best public liberal arts schools in the nation by U.S. News & World Report. Approximately 1,700 students attend the college, nestled on the St. Mary’s River in Southern Maryland.