SMCM Presents Weekend-long Outdoor Entertainment


ST. MARY'S CITY, Md. - Music director Jeffrey Silberschlag and the Chesapeake Orchestra are celebrating American music all week long. On Friday, June 29, at the Townhouse Green at St. Mary's College of Maryland's River Concert will blaze with the theme, "West of the Patuxent." The musical selections include Joe Parente's "Cowboy Rhapsody," and Aaron Copland's "Billy the Kid." The evening's special guest is country star Suzy Bogguss and there will be fireworks following the concert.

Suzy BoggussSuzy Bogguss has collaborated with some of Nashville's most influential songwriters, including Chet Atkins, Steve Dorff, Matraca Berg, and Pat Bunch. This Grammy Award-winning singer and songwriter has appeared on the Academy of Country Music Awards, Grammy Awards, Country Music Hall of Fame 25th Anniversary Celebration, Austin City Limits, and CMA Awards. Bogguss has given live performances at the White House, on Good Morning America and The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. Bogguss is this year's Wyle Laboratories guest soloist.

Jazz superstar Terence BlanchardOn Saturday, June 30, at 7 p.m., jazz superstar Terence Blanchard performs with The Chesapeake Orchestra Big Band, Jeffrey Silberschlag, music director, at the Townhouse Green at St. Mary's College of Maryland. People Magazine said, "Blanchard's virtues spring from his sense of restraint. The joy is in the tease."

Blanchard is a multiple Grammy and Golden Globe Award nominated trumpeter and composer. His soundtracks can be heard on the films "Mo'Better Blues", "The Heart Speak"," Wandering Moon" and "The 25th Hour". Blanchard attended Rutgers University on a music scholarship. This year, Blanchard will be the 2007 Artist-in-Residence at the Monterey Jazz Festival.

Blanchard was part of the group that won the 2005 Grammy award for the Best Jazz Instrumental Album, Individual or Group, "McCoy Tyner's Illuminations." He also received a Grammy nomination-Best Jazz Instrumental Solo in both 2002 and 2001 and for a Grammy nomination-Best Latin Jazz Performance in 1996. In 1995, Terence Blanchard received an Emmy nomination-Best Original Score of a Documentary, "The Promised Land," and in 1990, he received the Grammy nomination-Best Jazz Instrumental Perform-ance by a Group. Blanchard was the 1984 winner of the Grand Prix du Disque for the album "New York Second Line." This award is France's equivalent to the Grammy.

The free, outdoor concerts overlook the St. Mary's River and begin at 7 p.m. Grounds open at 5 p.m. Barbara Bershon, executive director of the River Concert Series, says, "Come early and visit the many community vendors selling food, drinks, jewelry and more. Picnic baskets are welcome." Concert-goers are reminded that the College has designated smoking and non-smoking areas and pets are not allowed on campus.

For more information, visit the River Concert Series Web site at www.riverconcertseries.com or call 240-895-2024.

Also this week in St. Mary's City:

The River Concert Series weekend begins early for movie fans with "Silverado" on Wednesday, June 27, at 7 p.m. in the Cole Cinema on the Campus Center. Following the film at 9 p.m. is The River Concert Series Brass Quintet performing on the Upper Deck. The film and musical perform-ance are free and open to the public.

On Sunday, July 1, at 1 p.m. The Chesapeake Orchestra Brass Quintet performs an "Old Fashioned Fourth of July" at Sotterley Plantation in Hollywood, Maryland. The concert is free for Sotterley members and military personnel, $10 admission per vehicle.

Brass fans are also invited to a trombone recital on Sunday, July 1 at 7 p.m. in St. Mary's Hall on the College's Campus. The recital is free and open to the public.

The River Concert Series Brass Band performs at the Solomon's Recreation Center on Wednesday, July 4 at 6 p.m. The concert is free for eligible department of defense workers and their guests.

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