The first of seven concerts of the St. Mary’s College of Maryland’s summer River Concert Series kicks off Friday, June 17, with music by Finnish composer Jean Sibelius and Russian composer Dmitri Shostakovich performed by the Chesapeake Orchestra under the direction of Jeffrey Silberschlag. The weekly celebrations on the college’s Townhouse Green continue every Friday through July 29 with world-class music and a variety of food from local vendors. Gates open at 5 p.m. and concerts start at 7 p.m. These outdoor concerts are free and open to the public, and picnic baskets are welcome. For more information, visit the River Concert Series’ web site or call 240-895-2024.

The featured guest artist is pianist Eliza Garth, who will perform Bartók’s Piano Concerto No. 3. “Bartók’s concerto is a beautiful piece that features some jazz and American harmonic imagery,” said Silberschlag. Also that night, a new composition by St. Mary’s alumna Mary Coy ’11 will be premiered.