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The ever-popular St. Mary’s College of Maryland’s River Concert Series on the shores of the St. Mary’s River begins its 14th year on June 22 and runs every Friday through July 27. The weekly celebration includes world-class music and delicious food from local vendors. Gates open at 5 p.m. and concerts start at 8 p.m. Renowned guest artists, including jazz vocalist Hilary Kole, pianist Brian Ganz, and jazz musician Don Stapleson will join music director Jeffrey Silberschlag and the Chesapeake Orchestra. The outdoor concerts are free and open to the public, and picnic baskets are welcome. For more information, visit the River Concert Series website at www.smcm.edu/riverconcert.

This summer, the evening celebrations of music include works from the Czech Republic, France, and Germany performed by international artists including mezzo-soprano Edita Randova, pianist Cziky Boldizar, and tenor Roger Isaacs. An Independence Day celebration will include some of John Williams’ famous movie themes and classic American jazz music, concluding with the “1812 Overture” and fireworks. On July 20, the Chesapeake Orchestra welcomes the River Concert Series Festival Choir. The grand finale on July 27 will showcase an abundance of jazz, Blues, and folk artists.

The full schedule of the 2012 River Concert Series:

June 22—A Little Bit of Gypsy

The music of Hungarian composer Franz Liszt and Czech composer Antonin Dvorak will be performed, along with violin duo Jessica and Katelyn Lyons playing Pablo Sarasate’s “Navarra” duet. World renowned Czech vocalist Edita Randova will lend her voice to selections by Antonin Dvorak.

June 29—A Perfect 10!

 Acclaimed pianist Cziky Boldizar will join the River Concert Series for an extravaganza of French music. Compositions by avant-garde ballet musician Maurice Ravel will feature, with his most acclaimed piece, “Bolero,” concluding the event.

July 6—That Independent Feeling

 The Chesapeake Orchestra will play John Williams’ celebrated motion picture themes for “Superman” and “The Patriot,” followed by Hilary Kole’s vocal accompaniment to classic American jazz pieces. The “1812 Overture” and a fireworks display will close the night.

July 13—Come Ye Sons of Art

The college’s own Larry Vote will be guest conductor and Jeffrey Silberschlag will play trumpet in the night’s salute to Handel. The River Concert Series Festival Choir, made up of talented area high school students and members of St. Mary’s College’s Choir, Chamber Singers, and St. Marie’s Musica, will feature in many pieces.

July 20—A Wagnerian Finale for 2012 (in case the Mayans are right)

At least the world will go out with a bang—this performance features the compositions of Wagner and Debussy, the latter of which will be accompanied by a sixteen-woman chorus and electronics. Piano soloist Brian Ganz will perform Grieg’s energetic Concerto for Piano.

July 27—Firebird, “Bird,” and the Stars in Our Constellation

The Grand Finale will feature a profusion of regional jazz, blues, and folk artists, including Don Stapleson, Rick Humphries, and others. Charlie Parker’s “Super Sax” jazz piece and Stravinsky’s ballet hit, Firebird Suite 1919, will end the River Concert Series with a flourish.

Silberschlag, music director of the River Concert Series and conductor of the Chesapeake Orchestra and the Italian Alba Music Festival, has recorded with the London Symphony, London Philharmonic, Seattle Symphony, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, Warsaw Philharmonic and Czech Radio Orchestra. His performances have been hailed by European critics as thrilling, compelling, and outstanding.

Sponsors for the entire series include the Arts Alliance of St. Mary’s College of Maryland, BAE Systems, Booz Allen Hamilton, Comcast Cable Corporation, Lockheed Martin, Maryland Public Television, Maryland State Arts Council, MetroCast Communications, River Concert Series Audience, SAIC, Smartronix, St. Mary’s County Arts Council, St. Mary’s County Government, and Wyle.

Concert sponsors include ARINC, AVIAN, Aviation Systems Engineering Company (ASEC), The Boeing Company, Bowhead Science and Technology, Camber Corporation, Cherry Cove Hospitality, Compass Systems, Inc., CSC, DCS Corporation, Eagle Systems, G & H Jewelers, GE Aviation, Giant, ManTech International Corporation, National Technologies Associates, Inc., Old Line Bank, Phocus Video Communications, Resource Management Concepts, Inc., Sabre Systems, Inc., Target Stores, Taylor Gas Company, W.M. Davis, and Yamaha Pianos.