River Concert Series

Brought to you by St. Mary’s College of Maryland

St. Mary's College of Maryland is bringing a fresh sound and new experiences to a beloved Southern Maryland summer tradition as the River Concert Series returns in 2027. Presented by the College, the reimagined series will feature an expanded mix of musical genres and activities for all ages, set against the scenic backdrop of the St. Mary's River.

The four-concert series will take place on Fridays, June 18, June 25, July 9 and July 16. For nearly three decades, the River Concert Series has brought residents and visitors together for summer evenings of music and community connection. The 2027 season will build on that legacy while introducing new opportunities for families and friends to gather, including local food vendors and artisans.

Performers and additional event details will be announced here as plans are finalized.

Questions regarding the concert series may be directed to Auxiliary services at events@smcm.edu

History

Since 1999, the River Concert Series, under the musical direction of Jeffery Silberschlag, has delivered high-quality, world-class performances in a wide spectrum of musical stylings to over 250,000 enthusiastic audience members. Over the years, the concerts have grown in size and prestige with outstanding contributions from many distinguished musical artists, as well as the exceptional performances from the River Concert Series resident ensemble, the Chesapeake Orchestra.

The River Concert Series Resident Orchestra: The Chesapeake Orchestra

Founded in 1995, by Jeffrey Silberschlag, the Chesapeake Orchestra is dedicated to developing the availability of cultural, diverse and enlightening musical experiences for the whole family. The Orchestra is comprised of accomplished musicians, as well as some up-and-coming fresh faces. The Chesapeake Orchestra has performed at River Concert Series since its inception in 1999, they also perform regularly at a number of other venues in the area such as Leonardtown Square and Sotterley Plantation. Most recently the Orchestra has expanded its program to include a variety of other venues in Southern Maryland.

For more information about the Chesapeake Orchestra visit their website.

From Broadway to Hollywood

Melissa Errico, Broadway star vocalist
Randy Waldman, guest pianist

Melissa Errico is a Tony Award-nominated Broadway actress, singer, and author. Touring the world with her inimitable thematic concerts, from Singapore to Paris to San Francisco and beyond, she has built a unique niche in the world of theater and jazz – so much so that when Steven Reineke, principal conductor of the New York Pops, introduced her Carnegie Hall debut, he announced that “Melissa Errico is a unique force in the musical life of New York City: a Broadway star, a concert artist, and an author who regularly contributes essays to The New York Times. There’s really no one like her!” The Times itself summed up her appeal simply: “Any chance to hear Melissa Errico sing is a chance worth taking.”

Randy Waldman is a frequent music collaborator who has worked with Barbra Streisand, Frank Sinatra, Michael Jackson and Beyoncé

View Music Videos on Melissa Errico's Website

Going Baroque: Music of Bach, Handel, Vivaldi

José Cueto, violin

José Cueto received his early musical training in his native Puerto Rico. He studied at the Peabody Conservatory of Johns Hopkins University, where he earned two degrees. Cueto is in great demand as a chamber musician, having performed at music festivals around the world. He is artist-in-residence at St. Mary's College of Maryland and a lecturer at the Peabody Conservatory.

Zachary Silberschlag, trumpet

Zachary Silberschlag is principal trumpet of The Iceland Symphony since 2025 and assistant principal trumpet of the Israel Philharmonic since 2024. Previously he was principal trumpet of the Hawaii Symphony Orchestra in Honolulu for five seasons. He performs regularly at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. In summer 2023, he performed on Broadway in Andrew Lloyd Webber's "Bad Cinderella."

Kathryn Farenish, flute

Kathyrn Farenish made her solo debut at Carnegie Hall at the age of 16. With degrees from The Juilliard School, she is an active orchestral and chamber musician as well as a music educator throughout the Northern Virginia area. She also maintains her own active private studio.

Canceled: Brazilian Night with Débora Watts

“Brazilian Night with Débora Watts”

Débora Watts, Brazilian singer/songwriter

Débora Watts grew up near Rio de Janeiro believing she was going to be a scientist. She moved to New York City in 1993 to become a pharmacist and ended up, influenced by her future husband (musician John Watts), becoming a vocalist and solo artist. Her first album was released in 2010. A second collection, this one of all original compositions, was released in 2017.

John Watts, pianist

John Watts is a composer, songwriter, pianist, arranger, producer, educator, and musical director whose work spans Brazilian jazz, musical theater, classical, sacred, and contemporary popular music. His degree in theory and composition is from Brown University. He co-founded The Off Wall Street Jam, a groundbreaking New York musicians' organization featured in The New York Times, Forbes, New York Magazine, the BBC and ABC News.

St. Mary’s College of Maryland’s River Concert Series, winner of the Maryland Tourism Impact Award, is designed to provide the citizens of Southern Maryland with high-quality, professional performances throughout the summer, enriching the cultural offerings of our region while raising the profile of Southern Maryland throughout the state. The Chesapeake Orchestra, the resident ensemble of the River Concert Series, offers programs whose musical themes are designed to reach the broadest possible audiences.

The repertoire of the Series ranges from serious classical composition, to light classics, to jazz. As part of the Series’ mission, genres such as Bluegrass and Blues are fused with orchestral instrumentation to develop new audiences. Nationally prominent artists and bright new talents fill the roles of soloists and narrators. These outdoor concerts strive to be family friendly, creating an atmosphere that brings our community together. The River Concert Series’ regular outdoor summer concerts have become a vital element of our community life and are an important tool in the economic development of the region.