Chesapeake Orchestra

VISION STATEMENT
Our vision is bold: to support the development of St. Mary’s County and the Chesapeake region as a cultural hub; to create a legacy of significant world premieres; to establish a body of works that celebrate the Chesapeake; and, to sustain the Orchestra as a prominent symphony orchestra of the greater Chesapeake and Washington-Baltimore region into the future.

MISSION STATEMENT
Enriching the lives of people through music is our passion.  Bringing nationally and internationally acclaimed concerts to the greater Chesapeake region is our mission – inspiring today’s music lovers and building tomorrow’s.

HISTORY AND GOALS
Since 1995, the Chesapeake Orchestra, under the direction of Jeffrey Silberschlag, has provided world-class professional music to over 400,000 appreciative people in Southern Maryland.  In 1999, the Chesapeake Orchestra took up residency at St. Mary’s College of Maryland at the River Concert Series.  Over the past 13 years, the River Concert Series has become the cultural and tourist destination for Southern Maryland, winning the Governor’s Tourism Impact Award.

The repertoire ranges from serious classical composition, to light classics, to jazz and genres such as bluegrass and blues are fused with orchestral instrumentation to develop new audiences.  Some featured popular guest artists have included the Ahn Trio, country star, Suzy Boggus, Broadway star Kate Baldwin, jazz vocalist Hilary Kole, or jazz musician Terence Blanchard.  

Building on the success of the River Concert Series, the Chesapeake Orchestra will partner with other venues in Southern Maryland and throughout the Chesapeake region to develop residency projects that provide communities with high-quality professional programs and enhance their culture, quality of life, and economic development. 

These programs can include music festivals, small concert series, individual concerts, or music master classes and workshops

Sites may include the National Harbor, Leonardtown, Sotterley Plantation, Bowie State University, Blue Crab Stadium, College of Southern Maryland (CSM) Campuses in La Plata, Prince Frederick, and Leonardtown.  Other sites along the Potomac River in Virginia could include Mount Vernon, and Dahlgren in King George, County. The concept would be a turnkey cultural destination that would also enhance tourism and make the community a cultural hotspot.