Culture Used to Only Mean Oysters
A decade and a half ago, discussing culture at the shore of St. Mary’s River might as likely refer to oysters as the performing arts offerings of St. Mary’s College.
Yet outstanding performances and exhibits were ongoing at the college already known for its excellent liberal arts curriculum. The public was welcomed by the college to performances, exhibits and readings, but for decades that message had little impact on drawing an off-campus audience to the shows.
That was still the case when the BRAC in 1995 hugely expanded the workforce associated with the Patuxent River: Naval Air Station. Thousands of new residents accustomed to a more urban entertainment milieu balked at following government contracting firms establishing offices in St. Mary’s County.
With that insight, the local Arts Alliance with the support of the chairman of the St. Mary’s College Music Department, Jeffrey Silberschlag, created the River Concerts series. And the cultural face of the St. Mary’s River changed overnight.
Retired Admiral Tim Heely served as Naval Air Warfare Center Commander and recalls the impression he and his wife Cherie gained when they moved from Fairfax County VA to St. Mary’s County full time 10 years ago. “We began going to the River Concerts when they first began, and have continued every year since. It is a great opportunity to hear world-class performances of amazing music in a relaxed, casual atmosphere with friends, associates, or sometimes all by ourselves.
“When I retired from the Navy in 2008 we discussed where we would settle next. Like most people, we made a list of “goods” and “bads” of living in Southern Maryland to help us decide. I can honestly tell you that among the many, many “goods” were the people, the lifestyle, the proximity to higher education facilities (St Mary’s College of Maryland, College of Southern Maryland, Southern Maryland Higher Education Center and others), and the unexpected offerings of outstanding cultural entertainment like the River Concerts.
“Were they the number one reason why we stayed in the area? No. But they were a significant factor in helping us realize that this is the place we want to live.”
Now entering its 15th season, the Chesapeake Orchestra performs free outdoor concerts for six weeks above the banks of the St. Mary’s River. The series and the orchestra were an instant success. Up to 5,000 listeners come from around the region for the music.
The orchestra is composed of professional musicians from the Washington/Baltimore area and select students from the College. Principal players are St. Mary’s College of Maryland adjunct faculty. The conductor, Mr. Silberschlag is a St. Mary’s College Professor.
From the start, the Arts Alliance with the college corralled sponsorships from the new firms looking to recruit workers to the region. The stunning variety of people drawn to the River Concerts made them the perfect opportunity to introduce colleagues and prospects to St. Mary’s County, and once here to collaborate and exchange ideas. The success of this model allowed fundraising to grow as the size of the audience grew.
The current economy, compounded by sequestration, has hit this community particularly hard and taken a tremendous toll on fundraising efforts for the 2013 River Concert Series. Particularly at risk is the ability to hire the orchestra; while principal players are Adjunct Faculty, they are not paid by the college to play in the orchestra.
The board of directors of the Chesapeake Orchestra nonprofit is contacting past River Series sponsors to raise the money for the musicians and guest artists. To make direct contributions to the Orchestra visit www.chesapeakeorchestra.org
Income from the gala and the traditional “bucket brigade” carried by Arts Alliance members seeking cash donations at the concerts will be used by the college to offset the staging and infrastructure costs.
This year’s River Concert Series is scheduled every Friday night from June 21st through July 26th. Concerts are free to the public. Music Director Jeffery Silberschlag explained that:
The Chesapeake Orchestra has entertained families and provided a venue where businesses can connect for 14 years. Our community has said ‘Keep the Summer Concerts’. Every contribution right now, will ensure a festive summer of great music.
“We are 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”.
