The Chesapeake Orchestra and National Harbor are proud to announce the creation of a new concert series, “Pops on the Potomac,” to begin Saturday, June 16th. These concerts are free to the public and will continue through August 25, creating a regular Saturday night concert program on the Potomac at National Harbor.
“Chesapeake Orchestra’s open-air performance style is such a complement to National Harbor’s elegant, town-center ambiance,” said Rocell Viniard, vice president, director of marketing for National Harbor. “The live orchestra will beckon passersby to bask in the summer romance of walking along the waterfront amidst our charming shops, restaurant patios, and residential balconies.”
National Harbor’s setting forms a natural amphitheater--accented by a backdrop of boats at the magnificent marina, intertwined piers provide informal pedestrian boulevards that converge on a performance stage. It is this stage and National Harbor’s reputation as a premier gathering place that drew the interest of Jeff Silberschlag, music director for the Chesapeake Orchestra.
“It’s a bit like Monte Carlo,” said Silberschlag. “These concerts will be a plus for both the community and for guests at the Gaylord, Westin, Marriott and Aloft hotels.”
Founded in 1995 by Jeffrey Silberschlag, the Chesapeake Orchestra has developed an impressive performance record, including the River Concert Series at St. Mary’s College in Southern Maryland and the Alba Music Festival in Italy. The River Concert Series was awarded the State of Maryland Governor’s Tourism Impact Award in 2003. Mr. Silberschlag has recorded as guest conductor and trumpet soloist with the London Symphony Orchestra, London Philharmonic, the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, Seattle Symphony, Czech Radio Orchestra and the Warsaw Philharmonic. His performances have been described as "compelling" by Germany's Kölnishce Rundschau; "extraordinary" by Italy's L'Arena; and "outstanding" by Fanfare magazine. In November 2011, Maestro Silberschlag received the coveted European Union Art Prize for Lifetime Achievement in classical music for his work as a conductor and trumpeter. Over the past 16 years the Chesapeake Orchestra has performed for over a half million concert goers, featuring internationally renowned soloists from a wide selections of musical genres. Guest artists have included Terence Blanchard, Lara St. John, the Ahn Trio, Leon Bates, Vonda Shepard, Hilary Kole, Jane Monheit, Catrin Finch, and Suzy Bogguss.
Carolyn Laray, St. Mary’s County Tourism Manager, said “the Chesapeake Orchestra attracts thousands of people each week, from the entire region and beyond, to weekly summer concerts. In this new venue, I imagine the Chesapeake Orchestra will captivate a new audience and continue to attract visitors to National Harbor.”
Nancy Graf, chair of Chesapeake Orchestra, Inc., agrees. “Silberschlag and the orchestra’s outdoor performances attract people of all ages for an evening of wonderful music.” Graf added “I can’t imagine a better place to enjoy a concert! Beautiful music, a harbor view, water breeze and balcony seating overlooking the Potomac, what could be better?”
“To perform regularly, overlooking the nation’s capital with an international audience is now a reality for the Chesapeake Orchestra” said Barbara Bershon, executive director of Chesapeake Orchestra, Inc. and former chair of the St. Mary’s College of Maryland Arts Alliance. “We’re excited to welcome new audiences and expand our musicians’ opportunities to practice and perform.”
Reserved, ticketed seating, with pre- and post-concert receptions sponsored by Slack Wine, will be available in the central piazza. The reserved seating tickets for the concert series and receptions will go on sale March 30th when the 2012 program is at HYPERLINK "http://www.chesapeakeorchestra.org"www.chesapeakeorchestra.org ..
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